Lenox Historical Commission
April 13, 2009, 4:00 p.m.
Town Hall, Land Use Room
Minutes
Commissioners present: James Jurney, Suzanne Pelton, Olga Weiss, Sharon Hughes,
Gundula Brattke, Ellie Geller
Visitors: Eve Geller Duffy, Anjani Nelson, Hunter Runnette, Allen Bell
The meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m.
OLD BUSINESS
Westinghouse Street Lights Update – Jim Biancolo continues to communicate with Steve Mack (Foresight Land Services-engineering consultants on Church St project), Jeff Vincent (Lenox DPW) and Greg Federspiel (Town Manager) on particulars of the replica lighting. Bids came in on March 29 from three companies. There is now an electrical sub-contractor hired by the general contractor whose job it is to find a provider for the replica based on the details provided by the HC.
Date Plaques Program – Ellie and Sharon provided a draft sale brochure for property owners to purchase a plaque. The Commissioners decided to charge $85 per plaque ($22.50 over the net price including shipping) in order to fund signs for town buildings and some new historic-looking directional signs.
Historic District Surveys – Eve has produced a list of 59 (out of 85) Historic District properties needing research to determine which of two or three dates is correct and suggests a sub-committee to work with her and Jim Biancolo.
100 Franklin Street – has been saved from demolition but is now all boarded up and nothing has been done to prevent water from coming in through the roof. Follow-up is needed to protect this historic building.
Workshop on Property Surveys - Monday April 27, 4:30-6:30 at the Wells Gallery, Lenox Library. Olga and Ellie will provide cookies, Suzanne beverages.
NEW BUSINESS
Minimum Maintenance Ordinanance – Suzanne will bring a model to next meeting. This is the best hope of protecting historic properties owners might let fall into disrepair hoping to demolish.
Example of good website of an historic MA town – What is a good one Lenox might model it’s own after?
Oral History Training – Sharon is interested in pursuing oral histories in Lenox. She noted that training of teens to interview elder residents will be taking place at the Becket Athenaeum. She will call Lenox high school to see if there is interest.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Suzanne W. Pelton
Secretary
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