Lenox Historical Commission
November 12, 2007, 4:00 p.m. (New time)
Lenox Academy, 2nd Floor
Minutes
Commissioners present: Andrea Winter (Chair), Lavinia Meeks, Suzanne Pelton
Absent without notification: George Jordan
Visitors: Eleanor Geller, Martha Stewarrt
Meeting was called to order at 4 p.m. Minutes of the October 8 meeting were approved.
OLD BUSINESS
Westinghouse Streetlights – The Fundraising Committee (Andrea, Suzanne, Bob Brown and Pam Kueber) have raised $17,000 to date from Church Street property owners, businesses and committee members, to fund the engineering study that will produce an exact budget in the spring. Their goal is to raise $25,000 before the end of the year so the DPW can get engineering survey started.
Preservation Plan – We will go forward seeking a grant to hire professional historical consultant to write/update property surveys on all of Lenox’s historic properties deemed worth protection.
Andrea has Assessor’s list. There are an estimated 600 properties built before 1923. In addition it has recently come to our attention that there is a steel house on New Lenox Road that is worth preserving with a mid-40’s construction date. This will help us make the case for houses built more than 50 years ago being protected.
Expansion of Historic District – This is tabled until after surveys are completed by consultant.
Date Plaques – This will continue after consultant has established dates of historic properties and we have identified all houses that we’d like to have plaques on.
Newspaper Articles on Lenox Properties – Meeting with Barbara Allen at Stockbridge Library yet to be arranged to learn how to preserve this information. Once the articles are preserved we will keep them in HC files for anyone looking for historic property information.
Community Preservation (Funds) Committee – Andrea reports that an application for 2008 funds, of which at least 10% must go to historic preservation (maybe as much as 33%) will be available early in 2008. The HC will apply for money to hire the consultant to write our Preservation Plan.
Student Volunteers from LMMHS – Honors Society volunteers from the high school can help us by taking pictures of the properties.
Historic District Agenda Posted on Town Web Site - Jim Biancola volunteered to watch for application/meetings pertaining to historic properties.
NEW BUSINESS
Church on the Hill Renovation – Suzanne collected samples of the original siding on the Town Meetinghouse/Church and the new siding being put on the church this month, as well as four original handmade nails for the Historical Commission’s archives.
Meeting adj at 5:15. The next meetings are Dec 10 and Jan 14 at 4 p.m. at 26 St. Ann’s Ave.
Respectfully submitted,
Suzanne W. Pelton
Secretary
| 
