DUXBURY HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
Date: September 18, 2003
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Small meeting room, Lower level, Town Hall
Present: Nicki Kispert, Norman Tucker, Jody Hall, Martha Himes, Nancy Bennett.
Absent: Wayne Dennison, Susanna Himes
Call to Order: 7:00 PM
Reading of Minutes: Reading of May minutes postponed until next meeting. Reading of July minutes postponed until next meeting.
Open Forum: Ms. Himes attended first meeting of the Alden Kindred Advisory Council on September 14, 2003. They are looking for ideas for how they can expand programs in Duxbury. They would like to develop their property into a world class museum organization. Ms. Himes received a flyer regarding a lecture series by Green communities and the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management. She will make this available to anyone who wishes to attend. Ms. Himes also received information on the Bay State Historical League. I may be a good idea to join the organization. Mr. Tucker indicated they have a great newsletter. The membership fee is $30. Ms. Hall moved that the commission join the Bay State Historical League. Ms. Kispert seconded. The motion passed 5 in favor, 0
opposed.
New Demolition Application: 215 Bay Road. The Commission is in receipt of a letter establishing the lineage of the house. The application however is incomplete. The cover page indicates a 1763-construction date; the first deed read 1833 and other information indicate construction dates to 1812. The assessor’s office information indicates construction in the 1700s. Ms. Kispert will return the application for completion.
4 Russell Road: The commission made two attempts to walk through this property in order to visually establish any historical integrity. The first appointment (September 11, 2003) was not attended by representatives of the owner, or by the owner. The second appointment made for September 18, 2003 prior to this Commission meeting was also missed by the representatives. The commission noticed while waiting for the representative, that what appeared to be a foundation hole, was already dug on the property near the house. No attempt was made by the owner to complete the application. Ms. Kispert will return the incomplete application to Mr. MacDonald with a memorandum explaining the missed appointments and the incomplete application and a query as to whether a permit is needed to dig a
foundation.
Miscellaneous: Ms. Kispert met with Mr. MacDonald and Mr. Longo. Ellen from the Department of Inspectional Services was also present. Mr. MacDonald indicated that it is the policy of the building department to grant building permits when an addition requires the removal of one wall. Our policies as written would require a person from the Historical Commission to check all permits weekly. Our demolition permits do not specify a six- month time limit. The building department does not immediately issue a demolition permit. In order to establish these policies, a public hearing must be held for input. We are welcome to come in and review all demolition applications. We need to ask Mr. MacDonald what his criteria for approval of demolition applications is. Mr. MacDonald has offered the use of his
office for our monthly meeting. This would give us easier access to our files.
Concern again has been expressed that Mr. Dennison has not attended the last three meetings. There will be four commissioner’s terms up in June. We need to begin looking for suggestions to present to the selectmen.
The Commission reviewed and revised the 2003 goals and five-year plan.
Budget: All departments/boards have been asked to reduce their budget by 10%.
Deliverables: Demolition application revisions: Ms. Hall
Wright Building Inventory: Mr. Tucker
Web site progress: Ms. Sheehan
Next Meeting: October 16, 2003
Meeting Adjourned: Ms, Kispert moved we adjourn the meeting; Mr. Tucker seconded. Meeting adjourned at 8:43 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Josephine M. Hall
Secretary
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