HomeMy WebLinkAboutHistorical Comm Minutes 10/6/1997TOWN OF MANSFIELD
MANSFIELD, MASSACHUSETYSj02d48
MANSFIELD HISTORICAL COMMISSION {- (j 7
MANSFIELDMISTORICAL COMMISSION MINUTES
for October 6, 1997 at 7:00 PM at Town Hall
Office at:
50 West Street
Mansfield, MA 02048
Present: Pat Cataloni, Gean Parks, Leslie Pasch and Kate Viens. Guests: Allyson
Anderson - Sterling and Richard Boucher.
The Chairperson, Kate Viens, presided. Minutes from the August 26, 1997
meeting were approved with a correction: grants from the Mass Preservation
Projects Fund would address repairs in 1999, not those from the National Trust for
Historic Preservation. Approved on a motion from Gean, seconded by Pat. All in
favor.
Correspondence
1. Notice on zoning workshop from Historic Massachusetts
2. Certificate of Inspection of Fisher - Richardson House from Building Dept.
3. Announcement of positions open at Mass Historical Commission
4. Survey on African- American sites from Mass Historical Commission
5. Notice of workshop from Bay State Historical League
6. Memo from Town Accountant on new account numbers
7. Notice from Acting Town Manager on Fall Town Meeting
8. Notice from Acting Town Manager on Fall Town Meeting articles
9. Notice from Acting Town Manager on Senior Tax Program
10. Copy of community calendar
11. Memo from Building Inspector to Acting Town Manager on F -R House
12. Memo from Mike Ahern in DPW on engineering services
Gean called the National Trust for Historic Preservation concerning funding to
repair the Fisher - Richardson House. They felt we would have to justify obtaining
another structural analysis of the house. The Mass Historical Commission sent her
a packet on funding. They were very enthusiastic in light of the house's National
Register nomination.
The Building Inspector has inspected the house and issued a certificate. He
will issue an occupancy permit each year and suggested we investigate parking,
He agrees with the structural analysis. Mike Ahern from DPW gave Kate an
estimate from the Dempsey Group, an engineering firm, for a structural analysis
and a plumbing and septic inspection ($2100.) Richard stated that if the
Commission is willing to accept responsibility for the house, the arrangement
would be very appropriate. He urged us to put the cost of engineering service with
design solutions into the FY'99 budget. It could become a separate warrant article
if it was not included in the town budget. DPW could supervise actual work. Kate
explained that the Mansfield Historical Society pays some of the expenses for the
house (security system, phone.) Richard said that is common for outside groups to
assist the town in this way. Kate stressed the need for notifying the Commission
when someone is let into the house by Lorilee Fish from the Recreation Dept.
Richard reported that Memorial Hall will be reroofed to match the connector.
The Selectmen voted to restain it with labor from the prisoner release program.
Leslie will send a memo to the School Dept. asking them to keep us informed,
Claire Dempsey has asked to bring students from the New England Chapter of
Vernacular Architectural Forum to the Fisher - Richardson House and Kate will let
them in.
Allyson Anderson - Sterling presented plans fiom the Mansfield Garden Club for
a fragrant herb garden in raised beds at the Fisher - Richardson House. The group
would also like to clean up overgrown vines and research a culinary and medicinal
garden to be planted in the spring about 6 -8 feet from the house. They will
prepare the herb beds now. Leslie moved and Gean seconded that the Commission
accept the plan and contribute up to $50 in materials. All in favor. Most plants
would be donated by the Garden Club and other materials might be obtained from
DPW at no cost. Leslie will send a memo with copies of the plans to the
Mansfield Historical Society.
Kate reported that she filled out the survey on African- American sites. Gean
said Sweet Cemetery is in poor shape, with stones moved. Leslie will make copies
of the Fisher - Richardson tour script for teachers to add to their lessons on
Mansfield history. Pat will deliver them. No plans have been presented in the
Williams Street Bridge project.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Leslie A. Pasch
Secretary