DUXBURY HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
Date: May 20, 2004
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Inspectional Services Offfice, Town Hall
Present: Norman Tucker, Jody Hall, Martha Himes, Susanna Sheehan, Nancy Bennett, Nicky Kispert.
Also Present: Anne Hill
Call to Order: 7:05PM
Reading of Minutes: Ms. Kispert moved to accept the minutes of the April 15, 2004 meeting as amended.. Mr. Tucker seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Open Forum: Ms. Jean Clark was present. She offered the opinion that she doesn’t think the demolition delay is working. The by-law was modeled on the state statute. She feels there should be a public notice for any demolition of buildings. There should also be an abutter’s notice. She suggested as Independent Researcher, chosen by the Board of Selectmen and paid for by the applicant to provide documented background on the structure.
New Demolition Application: None
Demolition Applications: 1.) 245 PowderPoint Road. The application included the 1928 assessors records. Karen Davis, in her survey report, dated the structure at 1932. Considering her expertise, the Commission tends to trust her evaluation. Ms. Kispert did receive the requested black and white photos from the Nortons. The house falls short of the 75 year criteria by 3 years. Ms. Kispert moved we allow the demolition of 245 Powder Point Road. Ms. Bennett seconded. Motion carried 5 in favor, one opposed. Ms. Sheehan indicated she was ”sick of these houses being demolished.”
251 Standish Street. Retains virtually no integrity of barn according to Ms. Himes. It does have significance as a barn, but possibly as a 1926 summerhouse.. Ms. Sheehan feels it does have cultural integrity as a 1926 summerhouse because it falls into the summer residence history of the town. The structure does meet the 75 year criteria. Ms. Bennett does not feel it is a barn any longer. There are better examples of summerhouses and also better examples of out buildings made into residences. If it was retained as a cow barn, there might be an argument made for keeping it. According to Mr. Tucker its eligibility for Nation Register inclusion has not been proved. Ms. Hall moved we approve the application for demolition of the living room, kitchen and 2 and ½ story
structure at 251 Standish St. Ms. Bennett seconded. Motion carried 4 in favor, 1 abstention, 1 opposed.
Special Town Meeting Articles: O’Neil Farm: The Historical Commission supports the Purchase of a Conservation Restriction on the O’Neil in the amount of $1,500,000.00 plus costs with CPA funding and further, requests a Preservation Restriction be placed upon the main house dwelling and attached structure. Motion made by Ms. Hall, seconded by Ms. Sheehan. Motion carried unanimously.
Herring Run: Section 106 comes into play when federal funds are going to be used on historic property. The National Register is its only protection. The Commonwealth recognized it as an historic site. The commission is impressed with the funding already secured. Ms. Bennett moved that the Duxbury Historical Commission recognize Island Creek Fish Ladder and Herring Run as an historic site in Duxbury. Ms. Sheehan seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Ms. Bennett moved the Historial Commission support the Bay Wide Management Study Committee and the CPC in funding $70,000 for the restoration of the Island Creek Fish Ladder and Herring Run. Ms. Kispert seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Wright Building: Ms. Bennett moved to support the use of the portion of the Wright Library completed in 1909 consistent with historic preservation and the bequest of Georgiana Wright as an archive for public and private collections. Ms. Sheehan seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Tarkiln: Ms. Himes will work with Holly Morris of the CPC on the presentation for STM.
VI. Miscellaneous: The talent bank form for Terry Vose was acknowledged and discussed. Going forward, the minutes should include a report of those absent as well as those present.
Next Meeting. June 24, 2004
Meeting Adjourned: Meeting adjourned at 9:28 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Josephine M. Hall
Secretary
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