Historic District Commission
Minutes
Land Use Meeting Room
June 5, 2012
Members present: Chair Jason Berger, JB; Clare Cantone, CC; Steve Sample, SS
Absent without notification: Elaine Steinert, ES
Staff present: Peggy Ammendola, PA
Town of Lenox replacement of the existing street signs of the Historic District with replications of the last standing original sign which is located at Cliffwood Street.
Jim Biancolo presented the application. Also present were the following members of the Historical Commission: Bob Romeo, Lucy Kennedy and Olga Weiss. Kameron Spaulding and Bera Duna of the Beacon were present as well.
Mr. Biancolo said that the objective of this project is to recreate the historic street signs that are at the intersection of Main St. and Cliffwood Street. He presented a three page handout which indicated the location of the proposed signs. Pictures of the historic signs were provided to Alloy Castings, who were unable to find the original font, but using those pictures as a reference were able to hand cut letters so that the signage would be a very close replica of the original signs. The color of the signs is to match the Westinghouse lamp reproduction which is “Bottle Green”. Mr. Biancolo stated that he has been working closely on the implementation of the project with Jeff Vincent, Superintendent of the Department of Public Works. The Board of Selectmen have reviewed and
approved of the project. Mr. Biancolo hopes to get additional CPA funding in place for next year and with the pattern for the fonts in place, feels that there can be a quick turn around. He said that they had hoped for a July 4th (this year) installation for some of the signs, but at this point he is not confident the schedule will be met.
SS made a motion to approve the signs as presented and CC seconded the motion. The Commission voted to approve 3-0.
Approve Minutes: SS made a motion to approve the minutes of May 15, 2012 and CC seconded the motion. The Commission voted to approve 3-0.
Other Business: SS provided an update of the most recent Planning Board meeting regarding signage in the Historic District. He stated that the Board is going to separate sandwich signs from everything else in the HD and actually create a bylaw for sandwich board signs as the HDC does not have purview over sandwich boards. JB responded that this is the case only with regard to approvals by the BOS, and his concern is that if it becomes a zoning issue that will change. SS said that his interpretation is that if it is removed daily, the sign is not permanent.
CC stated that she was now confused and said that she understood that the HDC deals with permanent structures and signs and quoted a portion of Section 3.4c of the Historic District Bylaw which states that “the Commission shall not extend its review to temporary signs, banners, streamers or placards or temporary structures….” She asked if that did not include sandwich board signs. JB pointed out that an important part of the section she quoted should include the following...” approved by special permission of the Selectmen. (The actual text of the bylaw is:
“The Commission shall not extend its review to temporary signs, banners, streamers or placards or temporary structures approved by special permission of the Selectmen.”
JB cautioned that there needs to be clarification before a zoning bylaw is proposed. His concern is that current situation experienced in the District over the last year regarding temporary signage would continue unless the wording is clear and coordinated with the District bylaw.
CC made a motion to adjourn and SS seconded the motion. The Commission agreed to adjourn 3-0. The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Peggy Ammendola
| 
