HomeMy WebLinkAboutHistorical Comm minutes 5/13/2004I41 I � I (
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Historical Commission Minutes ; l�
May 13, 2004
Joe Unger, Chair; Gean Parks, Jean Nordbeck, Jennifer Davis
�k called toorderPt7:30p.m. SSr, ?`'1'TTS
1. Minutes April 27, 2004
Motion: To approve as submitted (Parks- Nordbeck) All in favor. PASSES
2. Letter to Mrs. Shaw re: Hartwell School. This may become a project following the
Springbrook National Register completion.
3. Letter to Commonwealth Engineers re: Otis Street bridge replacement
4. Letter from Mass Historic re: Retail Development School Street/Route 140
The commission discussed sending a letter and copies of the inventories of the School
Street houses to MassHistoric, with a copy to the Planning Board saying the
commission is sure you're aware this is a historical property and if the developer can
do anything to mitigate any adverse impact to the houses, please consider that.
5. 2005 Historical Commission budget
6. Preservation Advocate
7. Land & People magazine
3. New Business
Mrs. Annette Shaw spoke with the commission about the Hartwell School on Mill Street,
which needs some work. There is an article on the Annual Town Meeting warrant for
$70,000 for the work; the commission had sent Mrs. Shaw a letter offering to help with
state grant programs. Mrs. Shaw said the Uncommon Theater has been leasing and
maintaining the building from the town since the early 1990s. In 2000, they requested
the town work on the building; Mike Ahern came up with a list of things to be done.
Because of those issues, it was determined the building was not suitable for "general
assembly" and it is now used for storage and to construct sets. The theater company is
doing some of the work itself, and Mrs. Shaw said she didn't think the $70,000 would be
enough to do the rest of the work. She said the building had lead paint inside, which she
has been told has been dealt with, and the building needs reproofing and new windows.
Mr. Ahern has suggested rather than removing the lead paint, the building should be vinyl
sided, and that some support columns should be added.
Mr. Unger asked how the $70,000 estimate was arrived at. Mrs. Shaw said the roof is
large with a steep peak, and the work would likely cost more than estimated. She said
they plan to have a fundraising drive, which Town Meeting has authorized in the past.
Mrs. Shaw offered to bring the members on a tour of the building. She said the windows
are very old and in bad shape, with plastic on the inside to keep out the weather.
Mr. Unger explained the Municipal Building Committee would be in charge of the work,
if it were to be funded. He said he was concerned about vinyl siding and replacement
windows being used. Mrs. Parks explained the commission got a grant for a study of the
Fisher - Richardson House from Mass Historic, followed by a grant to do the actual work.
The Building Inspector has inspected the building, but has not condemned it.
The commission will contact Mass Historic about the options for this work, noting it is
not on the National Register, but is historical to the town. Do we need to get on Register
to be eligible for state funding? Can we get someone to come look at the house? What
other grant programs are available?
Mrs. Shaw said the pipes freeze every winter, and during the winter of 2003 the service
from the street froze. She said because of the issues with the windows, the furnace
cannot work efficiently. She said the theater was considering contacting local businesses
for supplies or labor, as well as fundraising activities.
The commission discussed the historic character of the neighborhood. Mrs. Shaw invited
Mr. Unger to her board's meeting of May 19, and hopefully we will have some answers
from MassHistoric by then. Mr. Unger will meet Mrs. Shaw Saturday, May 15 to tour
the inside of the building.
Mrs. Parks brought in new pictures of the Fisher - Richardson House, to be used in the
brochure and discussed whether there are any original old photographs at the library or
the Historical Society?
The Colonial Dames would like to tour the Fisher - Richardson house on May 25; Mrs.
Parks will take them through the house. They do historical markers and have provided
them with an application.
Mrs. Parks has spoken with Graphic Awards and Trophies, the sign maker who did the
markers for the cemeteries, and they did not recommend a free - standing sign for the
Fisher - Richardson House because of the risk of vandalism and snow plows.
Mrs. Parks reported the raised garden is complete at the Fisher - Richardson House.
Mrs. Parks and Mrs. Nordbeck will be doing the tour at the Fisher - Richardson house for
the Sister Cities event. The Historical Society has brought some furniture inside.
The commission worked on the National Register application, and will complete the
application at the meeting of either May 25 or 27.
14. New Business I I I I
5. Other
Motion: To adjourn at 10:00 p.m. (Parks -i
Date of next meeting: May 25. or 27
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Signature of CIcrk
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Date of Approval