FINAL
Present for the Historical Commission and attending the meeting were: Jane Slater, Chair, Steve McGhee, Lenny Jason, John Flender, Steve Flanders, Jim Malkin and Chuck Hodgkinson. Also attending were Chris Alley and Alex Alvin. Barbara Armstrong did not attend.
The meeting came to order at 4:00 PM.
Catherine Fuller, The Great House demolition: Chris Alley said he is attending for Caty because she is off-island. He handed a letter dated October 11, 2016 to the Commission which was read aloud. Chuck H. distributed the letter sent by Mr. Flender on April 8, 2016 that started the 6-month waiting period to try and find a way to relocate or refurbish the historic structure. The Commission reviewed the Town Bylaw Governing the Demolition of Historically Significant Buildings.
Chuck H. then distributed a letter dated October 18, 2016 from Paul Foley at the Martha’s Vineyard Commission referencing Section 8.2 of a DRI Checklist. After discussion a motion was made to send a letter thanking Mr. Foley for his opinion and letting him know the Historical Commission will review it with Town Counsel. In the meantime, the Historical Commission will proceed to execute the Town’s Bylaw as it has since its inception on April 24, 2000. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously with six in favor.
A second motion was made to send the Building Inspector a letter allowing the issuance of a demolition permit for this Preferably Preserved Structure. The motion was seconded. In discussion the Commission agreed that while only one of the expressed requirements outlined in Section 3.G) must be satisfactorily met, Ms. Fuller has satisfied both requirements:
- The Commission is satisfied that there is no reasonable likelihood that either the owner(s) applicant(s) or some other person(s) or group is willing to purchase, preserve, rehabilitate, restore or remove such structure in question, or
- The Commission is satisfied that the owner has made continuing, bona fide and reasonable efforts to locate a purchaser to preserve, restore or remove the subject structure, and that such efforts have been unsuccessful.
The motion came to a vote and passed unanimously with six in favor.
MV Museum $31,512 CPA Appropriation from April 2014 Annual Town Meeting: Chuck H. explained town voters approved this amount to replace the slate roof, chimney and add structural support. Subsequent Museum research indicates the original roof was made of cedar shingles rather than slate. The original article specified a slate roof. They are asking the Town to re-appropriate the same amount for a cedar shingle roof.
The cost for extra support structure, chimney repair and the cedar roof is $655,526.
The cost estimate 3 years ago for support structure, chimney repair and the slate roof was $594,656.
The current cedar estimate revealed significantly more repairs are needed for the chimney and roof rafter supports. Each town appropriated the following amounts for the slate roof work—and has the same request for their 2017 Annual Town Meetings:
Chilmark: $ 31,512
Oak Bluffs: $100,000
Vineyard Haven: $ 85,000
West Tisbury: $ 50,000
Aquinnah: $ 17,000
Edgartown: $ 0
Total: $283,512
A motion was made to recommend the article as explained to the Community Preservation Committee. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously with six in favor.
Other old business or new business.
Chuck H. reminded the Commission that Krishana Collins will host a tour of the T Lane Farm Thursday, 11/3 @ 1:00.
The Commission discussed how to schedule its future meetings such that Selectman Malkin can attend both these meetings and the Selectmen’s meeting that starts at 5:00 PM. The Commission agreed to keep the regular meeting on the third Tuesday of each month @ 4:00 PM – instead of 5:00 PM.
Administration: The September 20, 2016 meeting minutes were reviewed and approved as presented by consensus.
The next meeting will be Tuesday, November 15 @ 4:00 PM.
With no further business the meeting adjourned at 4:25 PM.
Respectfully submitted by Chuck Hodgkinson, CAS.
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