Lenox Historical Commission
May 14, 2007, 7:00 p.m.
Lenox Academy, 2nd Floor
Minutes
Commissioners present: George Jordan, Joan Mears, Lavinia Meeks, Suzanne Pelton, Andrea Winter
Meeting was called to order at 7:02. Minutes of the April 9 meeting were approved as amended.
OLD BUSINESS
Demolition Delay Bylaw – It is felt that we should delay going forward with DDB until we have a list of historic properties in town (surveys to be done by a consultant later) to provide a starting point for whether a house should be saved or not, though not guaranteeing that a house not on the list won’t be found to have historic significance but rather a starting point to ease concerns about LHC holding up building projects.
16 New Lenox Road – We haven’t turned up anything that suggests the house is architecturally significant. Andrea will write a letter to the ZBA asking if we can take pictures of the interior before it is demolished.
Town Cemetery Restoration – Suzanne talked to Claire Cox at The Advocate about her writing a story about the Cemetery’s need for repairs and landscaping and giving a name to call if anyone is interested in helping us prepare a survey of work needing to be done. This would help in hiring a consultant, knowing the scope of the work to be done, but we need more volunteers.
Westinghouse Streetlights – Suzanne talked to Greg who will get back to her about the Select Board’s decision on which antique light will be chosen for Lenox when funding is raised (the Westinghouse model or a Victorian catalog model the Village Improvement Committee has suggested.) Andrea has talked to Phil Halpern, President of the Lenox Chamber. He indicated the Chamber would like to work with us to get new lights. Andrea will call him to arrange a time for Suzanne to present the Westinghouse light project to the Chamber.
Lenox Preservation Planning/LHC Records – Andrea and Suzanne found many surveys from the late 1990’s done by homeowners. This is a good start to our Preservation Plan that we will discuss with Chris Skelly on June 8.
NEW BUSINESS
CPA Funds for Historic Preservation -- Application will be available in September for LHC to seek funding for consultant to do surveys.
Expansion of Historic District – Lavinia and Joan will poll residents on Cliffwood St. to see if they have an interest in creating an historic district. Also, consider expanding current HD to include all of property, not just first 125 feet.
Meeting adjourned at 8:25. The next meeting is July 9 at 7 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Suzanne W. Pelton
Secretary
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