DUXBURY HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
Date: February 28, 2002
Time: 5:00 PM
Location: 2nd Floor Land Use Room, Town Hall
Present: Meg Davis, Jody Hall, Martha Himes, Nicki Kispert, and Susanna Sheehan
Call to Order: 5:00 PM
Minutes: The amendment to the January 17, 2002 minutes was clarified. The vote to consider the “barn at 830 Franklin Street” should have read “4 in favor, 0 against, 1 abstention.
The meeting minutes of February 12, 2002 were amended as follows: Correction to the spelling of Joe Shea.
The meeting minutes of February 13, 2002 were accepted unanimously with amendments.
The public hearing minutes of February 13, 2002 were amended as follows. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM. The spelling of Julia Chuslow’s name was corrected.
The public hearing minutes of February 13 were accepted unanimously as amended.
Demolitions of Historically Significant Buildings, Sect. 609 of Duxbury Bylaws: 830 Franklin Street. Ms. Hall moved that the Historical Commission not issue a delay for the demolition of 830 Franklin Street. Ms. Davis seconded. Ms. Himes does not feel we established conclusively a historic significance for the structure that would merit delay, so she would support the motion. Ms. Hall agrees. Mrs. Trask raised some questions regarding various building in that section. There is room for doubt. Ms. Sheehan disagreed with the evaluation of the structure’s state of disrepair as did Ms. Himes and Ms. Davis. The motion not to delay demolition of the barn (summerhouse) and kitchen ell passed unanimously.
Tony Kelso has expressed intent to contact the owners regarding his family’s interest in possibly acquiring the barn.
17 Railroad Ave. There are no significant historical names connected with the house. There are a number of changes that have compromised the area’s general integrity. We have few Italianate structures but this is not the best example. The first deed to mention buildings was post-1883. The building appears to have been built circa 1890, not the 1820 date indicated in the owner’s application. Ms. Davis moved we allow the demolition of the structure at 17 Railroad Ave. Ms. Hall seconded. We may want to suggest recycling any interior elements that are appropriate. The motion passed unanimously.
New Applications: 49 Soule Ave., 48 Eagles Nest Road, 82 Gurnet Road.
49 Soule Ave. There is a question regarding the specific sections to be demolished. Ms. Kispert will contact the Cloughs to verify.
48 Eagles Nest Road. The applicant indicates that the back portion was built in 1959. The application says they are keeping the “old post and beam section”. The title search went back as far as 1928. There is documentation to verify that the post and beam section was constructed prior to 1959. A walk through would facilitate a decision. There is no building permit for the house built in 1959. The owners included a letter from Doris Handy confirming the building date of approximately 1959. A phone to the Donovans would clarify how they can verify the 1959 date. Ms. Hall did not see the need for a walk through based on the documentation available. Ms. Himes stated none of it looks particularly historic, especially the portion that is indicated to be demolished. According to the application, the “post and beam section”
was moved to the site. How do they know it was moved? Ms. Kispert will contact the Donovans to verify they are not demolishing any of the relocated portion of the house.
Ms. Sheehan was called away at this time.
Ms. Kispert will schedule a walk through for 82 Gurnet Road and 49 Soule Ave. The suggested date is March 12 and 3:30 PM and 4:15 PM. She will email confirmation.
Warrant Articles: Ms. Kispert indicated that Shawn Dahlen is willing to help us generate something that is agreeable to the Historical Commission and his perception of the community regarding the Definition of Substantial portion of our recommended amendments to the bylaw. A meeting will be scheduled for Tuesday March 5 at either 3:00 PM or 4:00 PM. Richard MacDonald will also be invited. His presence and input is key because he will be implementing the bylaw.
Community Preservation Act Project: Ms. Himes spoke with Thomas Hopkins of the MAAB (Massachusetts Architectural Access Board) regarding disability compliance. He recommended we contact the Duxbury Disability Commission. We will most likely withdraw the Tarkiln Proposal from the CPC. There is too much work still do before Town Meeting. The MHC will evaluate the inventory forms to see if they would approve the building for National Register Application. We will be notified next week of their opinion.
New Members: Interviews with Norman Tucker and Nancy Bennett will be conducted at the March 21 meeting. We will meet in Executive Session to vote. At this time only one Member can be placed.
Adjourned: 6:25 PM
Next Meeting: March 21, 2002
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