HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-12-05 Historical Commission Minutesf"CE I V ED 1'l
Reading Historical Commission Minutes To CLERK
5 December 2000 READING. PASS.
Attending: Virginia Adams Kathryne Greenfield
Wilbar Hoxie Mark Cardono 2001 MAR _S P 3"` 03
Clay Jones Anne Krieg
Sharlene Santo Louise Sandberg
Roberta Sullivan
1. Called to order 7:40.
2. November 14, minutes approved. Louise discovered that the library discards
commission minutes after two years. The town cleric has no commission minutes
before 1996. A motion was made by Louise to keep copies of our own minutes in the
repository and seek out copies that have not been kept in the town hall. Approved.
3. Treasurer's report: General fund $1,046.70; Special revenue $6,382.23.
4. Police Station: Commission members read a letter written to them Icy the town
manager requesting the commission not to invoke the demolition delay. The town
manager knew on the 14th of November that the -property was on the state register
and went ahead with the bid process a week later on the 21 st. According to the town
planner the application to demolish was submitted Nov. 16. The application is for the
entire building, however the addition is not of concern to the commission only the
original building. Anne Krieg, the town planner, attended the meeting to answer the
commission's questions. What commitments does the town have toward the
construction of a new parking lot on the site? Applying for grants, work of staff, and
other commissions. Also a certain amount of money has been committed to the
parking project by the Danvers Savings Bank some of which was used for the removal
of asbestos. If the building comes down and there is no money for the creation of a;
parking lot and the town is left with a vacant tot with drainage problems. Can the
building be sold? Will any agreements be broken' What are the injuries to the town?
Higher costs for the demolition even though the bidders did not know there were any
restrictions. Alternative solutions had already been researched when the selectmen
publicized the possible uses of the building. If the bids are not accepted in thirty days
the town needs to go out to the bid process again. The bids were advertised in
October before the commission knew that the building was on the register. Can we
write in the contract with the firm chosen to take down the building, delaying the
demolition with a possibility of other use for the property?
Anne will provide us with information on what had, been done to reuse the building in
the past. The commission also wants Ms. Krieg to supply us with the demolition
application.
Virginia suggested that Clay approach the town manager to incorporate the contract
into our potential delay before the hearings.
Clay made a motion to make an initial determination of positive that the 1930 portion
of the Old Police St. at 67 Pleasant St. is historically inventoried. Seconded and
approved 5-0-0. The property is listed on the Massachusetts Registry of Historic
Properties. The hearing will `be at 8:30 on the 20th of December. Virginia -suggested
the commission conduct a site visit.
The commission will attempt to meet with the town manager on Dec. 15.
7. Adjourned 10:30 Approved as amended Jan. 23, 2001 i
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