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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-07-25 Historical Commission MinutesREADING HISTORICAL COMMISSION MINUTES 25 July 1996 Meeting opened: 7:40 PM Minutes : Motion : f?. O' St-All:i.van; sec V. Adams Accept minutes of 9 July 1996 as amended. Passed 'treasurer's Report. Balance: 9 July $ 1389.44 Spent .E'Y95-96 except Cor $.20 Reserve fund: $528.10 Review of 'treasurer's fund for transfer di.screpency of 61.14 Old Business: Letter sent from: MHC, 15 July 1996; re: Route 129 reconstru.ction,Lowell Street and Salem Street.-We will try to obtain original letter from Joseph Delaney ~ Bandstand Chairman present a. + and - sheet on the proposed sites for the Bands Land(Reading Common and Memorial Park sites) A general discussion of the Bandstand on the Common. Unofficial consensus is to have no Bandstand. Three strongest objections: 1. add another focal point to Common. 2. In the way of the foot path 3. Restrict furnishings FAII Virginia Notes: jaO R, Library want to talk to RHC about, History Room .Motion: D. O'Sullivan; sec R. Sullivan Recondition Hydrothermograph Who controls "Woods End? RHC or Town Adaptive Reuse general discussion of the barn situation. Wait until a demo permit application is filed Call Jonathan to find out where -the process is now. Let people know the barn is available. Motion V. Adams; see J. McCauley RHC buy the Annual Report for $15.38 Passed The deYrumidifyer is attached and working in Archives Room. S tree tscapes : Old South siding - no action Reeding Cooperative Bank - no action RMLD hearing on light pole on Salem Street - Hearing Aug i:. Lth. Yale already in Next Meeting: 10 Sept 1996 Meeting Adjourned: 9:20 PM John F. McCauley Secretary by---ROBERTA SULLIVAN NOTES FOR MEETING - JULY 25 1996 89 plain St. On July 17 1996 the Historical Commission visited 89 Main St. (Leaning Elm Farm) for the purposed of viewing the barn which is slated for demolition. The property of about 4 acres is under contract to be developed with a PRD ( cluster homes). The property now contains an early house dating in the 1700's and a barn. For the most part the land is over grown and small buildings have been left to fall into pieces. The house and the immediately surrounding grounds have been maintained very nicely. The barn is located a short distance from the house, to the rear, on a knoll. The barn dates, per research of the valuation books, about 1907. I appears to be built on the foundation of the old barn. It also appears to be built with some of the old wood of the old barn. The style of the barn is Italianate, with a cupola and large sliding doors. It would be considered High Style Italianate. Large brackets adorn the eves and there is a wing peak over the doors. It is two & half story high with basic construction of the time. Joists are one length, true 2X14, running from front to back. The studs are 2ft on center and the sheathing is about 8 to 10 inch boards. The siding is clapboards. It appears to be altered in the second floor arrangement. An area in the front was added at some point and the floor extends in front of the doors, down about 3 feet from the rear level. The rear was used for hay and later maybe just storage. The barn has not been used for years. A milk room was added to the south side, and it has a cement floor. This room was for the cows. It was one of the last milk farms in Reading, selling milk to Sunnyhurst. This seems to indicated that the barn was adjusted for this use at a later date, meaning that it may have been build as a carriage shed for horses and a carriage and later an automobile. I understand at present the plans for the development do not included the barn and it will be demolished, because the road way will have to go through that part of the property. The house, on the other hand, will be incorporated in to the plans and be redone to accommodate two of the units in the development. Regarding the proposed demolition of this barn I would have to say that if it can be saved it would be nice. 1. It is in fair to good condition, not from upkeep but because it was built very well. It shows some sag in the front wall but for the most part it is still true to itself. 2. The roof is tight so it is dry. 3 The foundation is strong and the joists are still true and stable. 4.The floor of the second floor is questionable, especially the front section. Therefore my first recommendation would be that it be incorporated into the plan of the developer. It could be a community hall or a community storage building or a two level unit unto itself. My second recommendation would be that it be moved to a new location and reused. I suggest that the Historical Commission recommend that the developer advertised that the barn is free to anyone who wants it and that he will share the expense of moving it, equal to his expense of its demolition. Hopefully it will not be destroyed and lost forever. . by---ROBERTA SULLIVAN page 2 meeting July 25th cont'd The proposed Bandstand-- The proposed Bandstand that is being discussed for location on Reading Common or Memorial Park is an issue that the Historical Commission should address. As a new member of the commission I would like to address this issue. I will state that I am opposed to the placement of a Bandstand on the Common as the Common now exists. The question of placement of a new Bandstand at Memorial Park is na an Historical Commission issue....... I will try to relate to the Historical Commission Guidelines that were adopted by the Selectmen in 1990 regarding this issue and how a Bandstand would impact the Common. 1. Focus Guidelines-- #1 & #2 both address the focal point of the Common which is the Old South Church. A bandstand would definitely detract from that focal point. 2. Landscape Guidelines #2 &#4 regarding the plantings. The trees on the common, would have to be altered wherever the structure is placed. New planting would have to be done and would be a historical spatial factor. 3. Footpath Guidelines-- #1 Retain paths to major destinations and embellishments--- with the re construction of route 129 Salem St. a new path through the common is proposed. The suggested placement of the Bandstand on the Common is in the area that the new path will be located, therefore it will be in the way of that new path. 4. Furnishing Guidelines --#1-restrict the number of f endshings so that they do not overahelm the Contttton. A 26ft Bandstand located anywhere on the Common will overwhelm it±d{ 5. Use Guidelines #4 prohibit permanent facilities that benefit only, special interest groups The Bandstand is for special interest groups. Everybody does not partake of band concerts. In summation I would like to point out that the above mentioned issues are Historical reasons that a Bandstand should not be placed on the exist~Common. The issue of enlarging the Common by the closing of Lowell St. 0 in front of the Town Hall is another issue which should be addressed at which time it is proposed by the Selectmen. That aspect of the placement of the Bandstand is not an issue vet.