HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-11-05 Historical Commission MinutesMinutes
Reading Historical Commission
November 5, 1997
Meeting convened at 7:45 p.m.
Regular members present: Virginia Adams, David O'Sullivan, Gladys Montgomery Jones,
Roberta. Sullivan
Associate members present: Louise Sandberg, Alan Ulrich
Guests: Joe Connelly (town engineer), Ed Palmer (former RHC member), Phil Vaccaro (owner)
Minutes recorded by Gladys Montgomery Jones
Minutes for October 27, 1997 approved as amended by a vote of 4-0-0.
Treasurer's Report (Roberta):
David moved, Virginia seconded and members approved by 4-0-0 payment of a new bill
amounting to $17.48 for film processing related to the Bandstand siting.
Archives: X" g j ggLt
• Eleanor'has been hired and is working on the Inventory.
• Other work is moving apace.
• Alan is donating a printer.
• Ed Palmer said he would proceed with the project to produce photographic prints from the
glass-plate negatives of old Reading and will scope out what and how many more images
need to be done. Then he left.
Historic Structures:
• Ipswich River Bridge:
Joe Connelly brought a drawing of the proposed plan for the new Ipswich River Bridge
and discussed this with RHC members. The plan developed by the consultant will be
subject to review by the Mill Street residents, Conservation and Historical Commissions
in early December. The plan retains the existing granite slab and abutments. It will
rebuild the wing wall, replace the decking and excavate behind the slabs to sink the new
decking into that, so the granite holds no load. Endposts will be concrete, possibly
masked with a stone surface, and the railing will be metal, possibly painted brown.
Excavation and building equipment will be on the road only so the historical and
archeological site remains undamaged. A heavy vehicle exclusion has been filed for the
bridge. The state is bearing 100% of the construction cost, with Reading and North
Reading splitting the design costs. It will be possible to place a plaque on the bridge. Joe
asked the RHC to draft a letter of support; David to follow up. Then Joe left.
• 605-607 Main Street:
Phil Vaccaro presented new plans for the reconstruction, noting he had given his architect
carte blanche, not `prejudicing' him with the RHC's recommendations. ZBA parameters
were followed. The new plan calls for a one story building set back 18-22' from the
street rising to a flat-roofed building of two stories to replace the gable roofed 1840
structure. The gable plan was not followed because of water drainage toward the
Manning building, and the new building will be on a slab instead of a basement
foundation. Plans call for the HVAC equipment to go onto the flat roof. RHC members
expressed problems with the flat roof plan, since the Commission had agreed to reduce
RHOMinutes Nov. 5, 1997
the demolition delay period if the reconstruction followed the original roof line.
Members pointed out that water run-off could be controlled, that a second story would
allow a private dining room for the restaurant, ventilation would be easier and that the
HVAC could more easily be hidden with the peaked roof. Phil said he was not interested
in the gable because he did not want to have maintenance issues about water drainage.
Gladys suggested a girder outlining a gable to indicate what had once been there. David
suggested a gable roof of 30' in depth rather than 60' as a way to reduce water run-off
and maintenance problems. Members questioned whether the height, of the eaves in the
plan was within ZBA parameters. There will be a follow-up meeting.
• Damon House/30-32 John Street:
David placed a call to Dave Barrett about the status of the sale; he has not called back.
• Walnut Street:
Virginia will read RHC letter saying this is an historic road at Town Meeting.
• Christian Science Church:
David call the~1which sent a grant form for restoration of the porte cochere.
• Foster-Emerson House/288 Grove Street:
The letter starting the demolition delay period went out to Meadowbrook. Gladys had
spoken with Bob Bettcher, who said he would not mothball the house if he did not have a
buyer by the time the delay period had expired, and D. Goodmote said Bettcher wanted to
let his buyers in Essex County know by early January so they did not make other plans.
Members discussed the possibility of the Club's Grove Street lot; David to follow up with
Goodmote. Gladys to develop article for Reading Chronicle. Virginia to get name of
Sunset Rock developer. Members to develop direct mail campaign; at hearing,
Meadowbrook agreed to pay postage. Virginia to call Curt Nietsche who had be
interested in moving the Damon House to his property.
• Police Station: NEW Building to be converted to eerereiel use.
Administration:
There is a vacancy for a regular membership position. Louise said she will apply.
Next meeting set for December 2, 1997.
The meeting adjourned at 10:30PM.
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