FINAL
Present for the Historical Commission and attending the meeting were: Jane Slater, Chair, Lenny Jason, John Flender, Barbara Armstrong and Chuck Hodgkinson. Stanley Larsen, Krishana Collins, Rodney Bunker and Tim Carroll also attended. Bette Carroll, Steve McGhee and Karin Wetmore were absent.
The meeting came to order at 5:00 PM.
RODNEY BUNKER – TOWN HALL AND MENEMSHA SCHOOL RENOVATIONS: Mr. Bunker explained the wooden trim and side walls of Town hall need to be replaced and the steeple at the Menemsha School needs to be rebuilt. Since both buildings are historic structures Mr. Bunker outlined the materials options for replacing the woodwork and trim along with the pros and cons of each option. The two basic options are wood or azek and he prefers wood because of the historic significance of the structures. Mr. Jason added Edgartown does not allow the use of azek or vinyl clapboards on its historic buildings. After brief discussion a motion was made to recommend the Town Hall and Menemsha School be restored in accordance with Massachusetts Historical Society
standards to preserve the integrity of the buildings—and that wood be used. The motion was seconded and with no further discussion passed unanimously with four in favor.
SOLAR PANELS ON THE MENEMSHA SCHOOL ROOF: Mr. Carroll explained that the planned photo-voltaic array at the Town Dump will produce more power than NStar’s single-phase utility lines can transmit. Consequently, he would like to reduce the size of the array at the dump and add panels to other town buildings where appropriate. He asked if the Commission would object to mounting solar panels on the Menemsha School roof. After much discussion a motion was made declaring the Menemsha School roof is an inappropriate location for the roof-mounted solar panels because of its historic significance to the Town. The motion was seconded and with no discussion passed unanimously with four in favor.
KRISHANA COLLINS – HISTORIC TEA LANE FARMHOUSE: The Commission welcomed Ms. Collins to the meeting and commented on how well the farmhouse renovations are coming along. Ms. Collins explained the interior of the house is ready for plaster and she hopes to move into the house this May or June. The Commission reviewed the signed $100,000 CPA Historic Preservation appropriation agreement. Chuck H. presented an itemized summary of the $86,668.28 in renovation expenses that have been incurred with specific invoices and proof of payment. Mr. Jason confirmed that the project has passed all the required inspections thus far. After a detailed review a motion was made to approve the partial payment of $86,688.28. The motion was seconded and with no further discussion passed
unanimously with four in favor. Ms. Collins thanked the Commissioners and invited them to the house when it’s finished.
STONE WALL RENOVATIONS: The Commission welcomed Stanley Larsen who proceeded to review two proposals for stone wall renovations. The first was his wall at 5 State Road which had two estimates—one for $8,500 and the other for $5,000. Chuck H. shared photos. The Commission asked if a round stone wall will be rebuilt or if the wall will match the cut granite wall that is in good condition. Mr. Larsen said the estimates are for a round stone wall. After discussion the Commission thought the cost estimates were high for a round stone wall. Mr. Jason suggested the Commissioners make a site visit to get a better understanding of what needs to be done. The Commission agreed and asked Mr. Larsen to return to next month’s meeting with more detailed cost estimates and to try and determine what it would cost to rebuild the wall with cut granite to match the other wall.
Mr. Larsen then reviewed a proposal for Daniel Koren’s wall that is on South Road next to Tilton Cove Road. The wall is approximately 210 feet long and there were two revised estimates. One was for $5,000 to restore as much of the wall as possible until the funds are used up. The other was $5,000 to restore 150 feet of the 210 foot-long wall. The Commission discussed its plan of restoring the stone walls near Town Center that run along Town roads as opposed to state-owned roads. A motion was made to deny Mr. Koren’s proposal because it is too far from Beetlebung Corner and is on a state road. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved with four in favor.
Chuck H. reviewed the application with pictures for a stone wall renovation that was submitted by Michelle O’Conner at 144 South Road. There was a cost estimate for $3,900 from Morgan Landscape and Stone. After brief discussion a motion was made to deny this application as well because it does not meet the Commission’s long term plan. The motion was seconded and with no further discussion passed unanimously with four in favor.
APRIL 28, 2014 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING: The Commission reviewed the CPA warrant articles seeking Historic Resources funds that are proposed for voter consideration at next month’s Annual Town meeting.
ADMINISTRATION: The November 19, 2013 meeting minutes were reviewed and unanimously approved as amended.
NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be on Tuesday, April 15, 2014 @ 5:00 PM.
With no further business to conduct the meeting adjourned at 6:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted by Chuck Hodgkinson, CAS.
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