HomeMy WebLinkAboutHistorical Comm Minutes 7/20/2004Present:
Historical Commission Minutes
July 20, 2004
Joseph Unger. Chair_ Jean Nordheck. Clean Parka_ navid Martin
June 29, 2004 minutes
Motion: To approve as submitted (Nordbeck- Unger) All in favor. PASSES
Louis Masiello, W/S Development, explained his company's proposal to develop a retail
shopping center on 75 acres at the corner of School Street and Route 140. He explained
his company invests in real estate for the long -term. He said his company has purchased
or has contracts to purchase all the land within the Golden Triangle.
Mr. Masiello explained the proposed development is a "lifestyle center" with a Kohl's
anchoring the shopping center in the southern portion of the property. He said the other
tenants would be "mid- level" retailers such as Linens & Things, Marshalls, Borders or
Barnes & Noble, Dick's Sporting Goods and sit down style restaurants instead of fast
food. He said he did not plan on drive - through restaurants. Approximately 450,000
square feet of building is proposed, including a business -type, extended stay hotel with
about 100 rooms.
Mr. Masiello explained the Planning Board public hearing will begin next week, and the
Conservation Commission will be reviewing the environmental concerns. He said they
are about 50% through the state permitting process with MEPA, where they have
discussed historical issues.
Mr. Masiello said Mass Historic has commented on 280 School Street, the Stearns -White
house. He presented the commission with correspondence between his company and
Mass Historic during the MEPA process. He said several houses have been looked at, on
and off the property, but the Stearns -White house was the only one slated for demolition
that Mass Historic felt was potentially valuable. He said according to Mass Historic, the
house had a major renovation in the 1920s- 1930s.
Mr. Masiello presented an overlay plan showing the house's location within the proposed
development; the house is located central to a line of stores. He said they will meet with
Mass Historic about what will be done with the house; he said his proposal will be to
have a professional go in to document the house in order to keep a record and then have it
demolished. He said the other option would be to relocate the house, either on or off the
site, but he said he didn't believe the house would survive a trip.
He said prior to meeting with Mass Historic, he would like to have a proposal sensitive to
the local perspective and he would like to have the commission's input.
The commission discussed the draft and decided to send the same photographs that were
included in the preliminary application. The draft letter of support will be sent to Mrs,
Scarpellini with a request that it be put on association stationary and sent back to us, so it
can be included in the application.
Mr. Martin offered to deliver the application, once copies have been made, to the
appropriate office at the State House.
Motion: To submit the National Register of Historic Places application for the Spring
Brook Cemetery and Card Chapel as drafted with the above- referenced letter from the
association. (Unger - Parks) All in favor. PASSES
The commission discussed possible future projects and drafted a pending business list, to
include:
Hartwell School
Historical Landmark Signs (FR, Spring Brook)
Historic District
Town Hall Cemetery (West Street)
Other Cemeteries
Cate Springs Building
By -law amendment about reviewing proposed demolitions of houses over XX years old
S. Adjournment '
Motion: To adjourn at 9:15 p.m. (Davis- Parks) All in favor. PASSES
Date of next meetin : S ept ember 21, 2004 at 7:30 p.m`
Signahtre of Cle k Date of Approval