FINAL
Present for the Historical Commission and attending the meeting were: Jane Slater, Chairman, Jim Malkin, John Flender, Lenny Jason, Steve McGhee, Barbara Armstrong and Chuck Hodgkinson. Ebba Hierta, Rodney Bunker, Tim Carroll and David Schuster also attended.
Ms. Slater opened the meeting at 4:00 PM.
Host Chilmark, England Representatives – Friday, October 5 @ 12 noon @ Library:
Ms. Hierta explained visitors from Chilmark, England will be touring our town on Friday, October 5. The Library and Town are organizing a gathering and asked if the Historical Commission would be willing to sponsor the event with light refreshments. The Selectmen are planning to declare October 5 as “Chilmark Friendship Day” to honor our guests. The visitors are Mike Scott and his wife Jo. Mike is the Deputy Editor/Treasurer for his local paper the Village Voice, a monthly newsletter. He is planning a series of articles that celebrate the history of the two Chilmarks and is fostering a connection.
The Commission thought this is a wonderful gesture and will provide old photos of Chilmark for display at the event. A motion was made to also sponsor the reception with up to $600. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved with six in favor.
Review and comment on a CPA Historic Preservation Fund request from the Library Trustees: Ms. Hierta explained the Library Trustees plan to re-finish all the wood floors in the Library this winter. The Trustees would like to have the antique flooring in the original library building professionally restored rather than re-finished. The Trustees have submitted a $4,000 CPA Historic Preservation fund request to the CPC for consideration at the November 19th Special Town Meeting. Ms. Hierta asked if the Historical Commission would consider endorsing the project.
Ms. Hierta then explained the original Library building is circa 1790-1820 and was moved to the present site around 1950. She added the building is also an important part of the Town’s cultural history because it was obtained from the estate of Katy West, the last member of Chilmark’s historic deaf community.
Messrs. Jason and Bunker discussed the condition of the joists and how the original flooring will be restored. A motion was then made to support the Library’s request for CPA funds to restore the historic floor and joists beneath the floor – if necessary. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously with six in favor.
Discuss Mid-20th century houses. Ms. Slater mentioned she received an inquiry from Harriet Bernstein of West Tisbury on whether or not the six mid-20th century houses on Flanders Lane are listed as historic resources in the Town’s Master Plan. Chuck H. explained a suggestion was sent to the Planning Board in October 2016. No action was taken. The Commission ultimately decided to withdraw the request for consideration for the time being.
Stone Wall Restoration: Chuck H. explained Monina Von Opel is interested in organizing her neighbors with property along North Road near The Aerie to restore this section of stone walls. Chuck H. asked the Commission if it’s interested in restoring stone walls along North Road—before Ms. Von Opel starts her campaign. After discussion the Commission affirmed its priority of focusing on restoring stone walls along Middle Road at this time and asked Chuck H. to thank Ms. Von Opel for her interest.
Items not anticipated by the Chair:
Mr. Bunker explained the Community Center chimney needs to be repaired. He summarized several options on how to approach the work and asked for their input. After much discussion it was agreed that Mr. Bunker would develop a recommendation and return to discuss the specifics as it is difficult to envision some of the options described.
Tim Carroll said the Town is organizing an event around its 325th anniversary and asked if the Historical Commission would help organize the program. After much discussion it was agreed the programming is better suited for the Selectmen’s office rather than the Commission. A subsequent motion was made that the Historical Commission would support the Selectmen’s effort to celebrate the Town’s 325th birthday. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously with six in favor.
Mr. Schuster explained he has a purchase and sale agreement to purchase the Newman property at 141 North Road. The Commission asked if this is the property with the historic school house. Mr. Schuster said it is and explained he would like to reconstruct the current old shed and asked if this is also listed as an historic resource in the Town’s Master Plan. Chuck H. read the listing for the house from the Master Plan. The Commission agreed the shed is not an historic resource and they have no comment on his plan for the shed. They told him he will most likely need to meet with the Site Review Committee and the Board of Appeals before obtaining a Building Permit. Mr. Schuster thanked the Commission for its time.
Administration: The July 17, 2018 meeting minutes were reviewed and approved as presented by consensus.
The next meeting planned for Tuesday, October 16, 2018 @ 4:00 PM will not take place as the Commissioners will not be able to assemble a quorum.
With no further business the meeting adjourned at 4:50 PM.
Respectfully submitted by Chuck Hodgkinson, CAS.
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