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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-03-23 Historical Commission MinutesReading Historical Commission Minutes WN CLERK 23 March 2001 READING, MASS. Attending: Virginia Adams Roberta Sullivan Sharlene Santo Col. Wilbar Hoxie 2Q01 -b A 8= 31 Clay Jones Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Manager Kathy Greenfield Michael Larkin Louise Sandberg Angelo Salamone Anne Krieg, Town Planner 1. Meeting called to order at 10:02 AM 2. A letter from the town manager was presented to the commission requesting the release of the delay on the Old Police Station (enclosed). Louise made a motion that the commission immediately release the delay on the Old Police Station at 67 Pleasant. Street (5.13.4 of the by-law). It was seconded by Virginia. The town manager commended the commission on its attempt to save the building and reiterated the plans the town has for the property. The town manager said that there would not be a repeat of the RFP. The town wanted to proceed with the former plans, demolition of the structure and the creation of a parking lot. Mr. Larkin commented that the Board of Selectmen had put outrageous restrictions on the RFP which no one could have met, confirming that no proposal could be accepted. Mr. Salamone also felt that the town had not totally reached out to all interested parties to find good use for the building. He said there had never been any possibility of negotiation. Members of the commission spoke their minds about the issue before taking a vote. Roberta said she would vote negative and her reason was that the Reading Advocate was not utilized as the commission was told it would be, for advertising of the RFP to gain more bids. Roberta added that the town should not remove an asset and create a liability because the grant money is not forthcoming and the town has been refused a grant twice. She also questioned whether Town Meeting rather than the Board of Selectmen should make the decision to remove a town building (5.13.4b). Kathy Greenfield, associate member, asserted that the OPS was a dead issue and it was time to let it go. Clay asked the commission to decide if the town had made continued bona fide and reasonable efforts to locate a purchaser, to preserve, rehabilitate or restore the Old Police Station and if those efforts had been unsuccessful. Clay said the town has pursued an RFP for the structure and had considered 3 bids The Board then decided that the interests of the neighbors' and the local merchants' desire for more parking were more important than the town's interests in preserving the building and adding four units of affordable housing. It was extremely unlikely that the town would make further efforts to sell the building for reuse. He noted that the town did actively participate in investigating the options to demolition. Louise commented that she had voted against the delay originally because the building should have been fought for 3 years ago whether or not it was on the inventory. However now she felt that the Reading Housing Authority's plan for reuse of the building was excellent. She was somewhat dismayed that the proposal was not accepted and that the town was not willing to negotiate with the RHA, a town body. Since the town was not willing to accept any of the proposals and also unwilling to open up to new bids she would vote g for removal of the delay. Roberta made a motion to table the motion for releasing the delay. The motion was denied 2/3/0 Original motion was approved 3/2/0 and the delay was released. A letter would be sent to the building inspector immediately. 3. Pierce Organ Factory: Roberta contacted the realtor. It is under a P&S agreement by Jerry Welch who does not intend to demolish the building. He will contact the commission in the near future. 4. 1375 Main SU Anne Krieg has discovered that the comprehensive permit cannot waive the RHC demolition bylaw. The RHC needs to present its own plans to the ZBA. 5. The commission recessed at 11:45 AM and reconvened at the Old Pierce Organ Factory to view the property and later at. 1375 Main St. for a site visit. We adjourned at 2:00 PM 5-0-0. Minutes approved as amended 5-0-0 LS 4/5/01 °FRTown of Reading 16 Lowell Street `tea ~~o Reading, MA 01867-2685 G39: INcoEtQ0 rq" t ( ( Fax: (781) 942-9070 HISTORICAL COMMISSION Website: www.ci.readinz.mams (781) 942-9010 23 March 2001 Mr. Glen Redmond Building Inspector Town Of Reading Reading MA Dear Glen, This letter is to notify you that you can issue the Demolition Permit for the old Police Station at 67 Pleasant St. immediately. The Historical Commission voted (3-2) on March 23 to release the demolition delay imposed on the property. Town Manager has notified the Commission. that he plans to preserve the granite steps and comer stone of the original station for reuse on the property. He may also try to salvage other parts, such as the wooden cornice, for possible reuse or documentation by the Commission. Thank you, Clayton Jo s ((/7 Chairman o r M~ v Ao C3:r~ cc Town Manager C, cI vim=' ~a