HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-06-19 Historical Commission MinutesReading Historical Commission
a
Meeting June 19, 1998
Attending: Virginia Adams "
Roberta Sullivan
Clay Jones
Louise Sandberg
David O'Sullivan
Called to order: 3:00
1. A site plan review will come to the commission for the new swimming pool.
2. Letter to Peter Heckenbleicherner from Virginia-
3. Owner of Quilting Shop on Ash St. (old blacksmith shop) want to get the building to be put on
the national register of historic places,
4. Is everyone agreeable to a meeting at the Hartshorne house on Haverhill St. tomorrow?
5, There are three other people up for appointment to the commission. Louise and Clay will be
seeking reappointment Tuesday-fight:
6. Foster-Emerson house: paint analysis will cost $600. Meadow Brook Golf Course has "applied.
for a demolition permit. Is this a pressure tactic? :Sidelinkers -want to clDse.on the land by June 26th.
Negotiating meeting follows wur meeting at 4:00. The commission feels that the money negotiations
should come before our issues. ITavid also feel we c rbe Ile blevn soot oftfie specifics; that we
should set up a system where we can respond quickly to potential emergencies; and that there should be
limited restrictions on commission visits -during construction. Roberta says that the Sidelinkers tiave
backed out of the restrictions on visiting the property. The commission is charged to preserve all historic
sites-by the citizens of Reading via the Board of Selectmen. The commission has already compromised on
the demolition of the shed, the size of the dormer, and the removing of the lean-to. If the house were
T,Wng to be a museum the restrictions would be mandated. David will represent the commission
Vitiating with the Sidelinkers. The commission's particular concerns will be our authority, the dormer,
plaster, granite facing, insulation, chimney, and the interior parlor walls. We need to designate,-oAe
person as a liaison to and monitor the covenants and restrictions.
Commission recessed at 4:00 to meet with the Sidelinkers.
Subnitted: Louise Sandberg
(continued)
Minutes: June 19, 1998 Reading Historical Commission meeting
The Commission reconvened at 4:40 p.m. after recessing to meet with the
Sidelinkers, their attorney, Town Counsel, and Town Manager.
Sidelinker meeting follow-up
The Commission agreed, without a vote, to send a letter from the co-
chair to the Town Manager and Selectmen summarizing its conclusions
from the meeting with the Sidelinkers about the authority of the
Commission in setting preservation restrictions on the Foster-Emerson
house restoration and deed.
Foster-Emerson/Sidelinker plan
At the Sidelinkers' request for a decision on their plans for the Foster-
Emerson house, the Commission discussed the two plans for a dormer
addition and a plan to remove a wall in the West Parlor. A Commission
decision on either of those two features will influence the Sidelinkers'
decision to take the house.
Dormer: rafters vs. sheathing
The two plans for a lean-to dormer provide a choice for the Commission
on whether to allow removal of historic lean-to rafters or removal of
original main-house sheathing on the back wall in the lean-to.
Some of the reasons to choose removal of the rafters rather than the
sheathing were discussed. The rafters may have been altered or damaged,
and may not be as old as the sheathing, assuming the lean-to was built
some time after the main house.
Also considered was the fact that the rafters will be disassembled
during the move. Some weight was given to the fact that the sheathing
was considered quite unique and well-preserved by several experts.
Assuming that Plan 2 would be accepted, the Commission decided to
recommend to the Sidelinkers that there not be the wide opening from the
main house to the lean-to, as shown in Plan 2, and that the sizes and
locations of the two existing doors on the east side of the lean-to's
second floor be retained.
Virginia Adams
moved to accept the
Sidelinkers' Plan 2 for
a dormer.
Seconded by David
O'Sullivan. Vote was
4-0-1 in favor (Jones
abstaining).