DUXBURY HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
Date: April 25, 2002
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Lower Level Conference Room, Town Hall
Present: Meg Davis, Jody Hall, Martha Himes, Nicki Kispert, Susanna Sheehan, Norman Tucker, Nancy Bennett
Ex-officio: Molly Foster
Call to Order: 6:00 PM
II. Reading of Minutes: Postponed
III. Demolition Applications: Discussion of 30 Ocean Ave.- Reading of the emails between commissioner Nicky Kispert and property owner Suzanne Morse. Nicky is not ready to make decision yet on granting demolition. There are still too many unanswered questions.
The house was listed on the ad in “I Sold My House.Com”. Sharon Howard of Gloucester had wanted to move the house to a lot on Priscilla Ave., which cost $125,000. The lot owner changed her mind and raised the price to $150,000 and then decided she wouldn’t sell to the end of the summer. There is a cottage on that lot that would have to be demolished. Sharon Howard would be willing to demolish the dining room of 30 Ocean Ave.to make the house easier to move. It would only be 17 ft wide. Morse/Bicknell had said they would contribute $10,000 to the move of the house and then that language changed to up to $10,000.
Nicky went to 30 Ocean Ave. two times. She said there were trees on the streets that would need substantial trimming if a house was moved. On Monday, Nicky went to town hall to see Peter Buttkus about trimming trees for the move. He was not happy about this idea, but since Peter didn’t have all the information about the move, he felt he couldn’t make a judgment one way or the other about the house move. Then Nicky tried to call realtor James O’Sullivan about the move and potential lot sale. Nicky said she found it hard to believe that three house movers that Morse said looked at the house would say it couldn’t be done. Nicky also spoke to Richard MacDonald. Nancy Bennett suggested the fire department would know the tonnage of the bridge since that was another question. She also suggested that the Commission should
request a written report from the building mover. Susanna Sheehan and Molly Foster said they got the impression from the emails that the building couldn’t be moved because of the way its built, not that it couldn’t go down the streets, etc. The Commission needs to talk to the building movers and find out EXACTLY WHY the building can’t be moved. The six- month deadline is in August. Nicky will keep working on this.
New Applications: Batelle Barn – Jim Pye started the title search at 1904 and the Commission needed to know why since the building looks older. Nicky tried to contact Mr. Pye but saw his wife before she made contact and was told that prior to 1905 the deeds simply listed outbuildings and none are identified. The barn in question is a big white building. Paul Brogna wants to know when the Commission will sign off on it. Commissioner Norman Tucker volunteered to go to the library to look at maps to see if the building showed up on any maps prior to 1904. A walk-through was scheduled for Thursday, May 4 at 3 pm.
June Special Town Meeting Warrant Articles – the Special Town meeting will be on June 17. CPZBIC will not be ready until Sept.
IV. Warrant Articles: Ms. Sheehan suggested changing all reference to Richard McDonald from “Director of Inspectional Service” to “Zoning Officer”. This is in response to a previous request from Mr. McDonald. Ms. Sheehan moved that we submit two article to the Special Town Meeting: 1) Change all references in the bylaw from “Director of Inspectional Services” to “Zoning Officer”; 2) the addition of section 911.4. The motion was seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Preservation Planning: Rather than develop a full blown preservation plan, the commission decided to formulate a Five (5) year action plan. A draft of the proposed Five- Year Action Plan is attached to these minutes..
Public Relations/Public Education: Ms. Himes moved we table this discussion. Ms Kispert seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Action Items: Ms. Himes will contact Ruth Rowley
Ms. Himes will draft warrant article
Ms. Himes will meet with Rocco Longo, Town Manager, with regard to Powder Point Survey
Ms. Kispert will contact building mover regarding 30 Ocean Avenue.
Mr. Tucker will gather information on the Wright Building pursuant to application for National Register Status.
VIII. Next Meeting: May 23, 2002, 7:00PM
Adjournment: 8:15 PM
Respectfully Submitted,
Josephine M. Hall
Secretary
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