HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-02-23 Historical Commission MinutesReading Historical Commission
Meeting February 23, 1998
Called to order: 8:10 PM 2 A
In attendance:
Members: Roberta Sullivan, Virginia Adams, David O'Sullivan, Louise Sandberg
Associate members: Alan Ulrich, Col Wilbar Hoxie
Guests: Everett Blodgett
1. There is a need to get the minutes up to date. They need to be submitted to the
Town Clerk due to a request by Phil Vaccaro (letter included with minutes). Minutes
approved as amended to be submitted: Dec. 2, 1997; Dec. 8, 1997; and Dec. 24,
199,07The letter from Mr. Vaccaro also requests the removal of his property at 607
Main St. be removed from the inventory.
2. The Damon house at 30-32 John St. has been gutted and is in the process-of
renovation. D. Barrett has asked for suggestions concerning door types and
clapboards. The commission requested that Col. Hoxie to prepare measured
drawings of the house.
3. The RHC articles to be presented at Town Meeting
Topics to be discussed:
A. Grove St.
B. Sweetser Ave.
C. Zoning Overlay
D. Map change to allow a rezoning of Sweetser Ave.
CPDC needs a letter of our position. Town meeting need an RHC member to
present our case. _
Informatio nGeni another possible home for the Foster-Emerson House was
presented. re is Nfiess zoned lot on North Main St. next to the Veterinary
Clinic just down from Franklin St. John Cole found the property for Mr. Griset. The
commission does not know if the present owner would like to sell the property. The lot
size is 27,000 sq. ft with 130 foot frontage.
The 6 articles that will be under consideration by Town Meeting were discussed at
great length.' There was the suggestion that maps of the potential Grove St. lot be
presented at the meeting. Many pros and cons were brought up including prices of
the properties, need for cash sale, the possibility of no buyers, the change from public
purpose to sale, the history of the Sweetser Ave. site, and the need to correct the
wording on the articles to "historic purpose."
Roberta Sullivan brought up the topic of whether we should support the Sweetser Ave
articles or postpone them. Virginia Adams clarified town rules: To table an issue
means no debate; indefinite postponement precludes zoning issues from
reintroduction after two years. Reading Antiquarian Society is concerned about the
- site location and the land. that goes down to Washington St. Issues will be discussed
at RAS next meeting and it the March 6th meeting of the CPDC.
Motion put to the commission to support Article 9 with the inclusion of the term
"historical purposes" vote 4-0-0
Motion put to the commission to support Article 10 with the inclusion of the term
historical purposes vote 4-0-0
Motion put to the commission to support Article 11 with the inclusion of the term
historical purposes vote 3-)k-0-
Motion put to the commission to support Article 12 with the inclusion of the term
historical purposes vote 3 `Yk0
Motion put to the commission to support Article 13 vote 3-,f,.0 -l
Motion put to the commission to support Article 14 contingent on the town making the
Sweetser Ave land available vote 3-;K-O-/
Meeting adjourned 11:15 V