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Newbury Historical Commission
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, October 08, 2015
Call to Order at 7:04 pm with the Pledge of Allegiance
A regular monthly meeting of the Newbury Historical Commission was held at the Newbury Town Hall.
Members present: Channing Howard, Nancy Thurlow, Jan Forrest, and Lon Hachmeister
Members absent: Sue Nagle and Eva Jackman
Special Guests: R. Joseph, B Griffith, K & D Harding from Save the Pink House
Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the September 2015 meeting were presented. A motion was made to accept. It was seconded, and the motion carried with a unanimous vote.
CORRESPONDENCE:
- Letter from Michael Steinitz, MHC-Preservation Planning Division re: 2016 Survey & Planning grant cycle information on “how to apply”.
- Letter to Don Jarvis from the MHC (NHC cc’d) on 1st Parish Burial Ground, Mr. Jarvis inquiry was how to get the site on the National Register. The suggestion was made that he should contact Peter Stott (MHC) to discuss preparing a MHC inventory form and submit it to MHC to start on the process to get the site on the National Historic Registry. This site is currently part of the Newbury Historic District.
- E-mail from architect of the owners of 280 High Rd, Newbury inquiring of any restriction info on the property. We will look for info, as this is a c.1790 property.
Treasurer’s Report
As of October 08, 2015 General Fund $ 943.45
Gift Fund $1,496.90
Special Archival Fund $5,885.54
Total $ 8,325.89
Committee Reports: None
Old /continuing Business
- Channing is continuing to work on getting the committee access to the 1635 website. He is going to check with Governor’s to see if any students can assist.
- Plaque for the School House in Chris’ memory.
- We need to find the name of the group (?) that is in charge of the milestones & plaques on the old Bay State Road.
- NHC was going to purchase books for the library archives. We need to check to see which historic Newbury books are missing from their collection. Check the School house for booklets to reproduce. Question was raised about the “Price” book being worth reproducing. The decision on reproducing a booklet or pamphlet will be further discussed at a later date.
- Question was raised about creating a Local Historic District around the Lower Green. Can we change By-laws to protect the Town owned land? Can we get this placed on the National Historic Register?
- ListServe http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/mailman/listinfo/masshistpres
New Business
- There are only two (2) houses on the National Registry of Historic Places: the Adams House on 8 Pearson Drive and the Newbury Historic District (First Parish, Upper Green).
- Question if we can get a Facebook account set up to supply information about the Town and the NHC.
- Nancy and Jan will clean up and “close” the School House for the winter.
Discussions:
- Discussion with the “Save the Pink House” reps on any assistance the NHC could give on trying to get the house on the Historic Preservation list due to area importance. The DDB checklist of this type of property was given to the group. They will be holding meetings with the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge manager and to try to get support from the community. Channing stressed that any decisions would ultimately rely on the owner of the property. We gave them sites to review with the state and wished them luck with their endeavor.
- Tracy Blais, Town Administrator, spoke to Channing regarding #1 above and similar situations. She advised that we can supply information, but we should not be seen to endorse them. There is a possibility that discussions/causes like this one, could eventually trigger the DDB, and we cannot be seen to have a conflict of interest.
- 280 High Road-possible demo on historic house with DDB trigger – we need info on Conservation easement on the back property.
- 1635 website – updates. Please review the site and give info to Jan on changes or corrections needed. Jan will correlate all information. We need someone with website expertise to effect changes on this site. Channing will check with Governor’s to see if a student may be able to assist.
DDB discussion
- Channing is reviewing check lists. We need a list to identify certain historic aspects of any house or building that may come up for DDB review. This would include, but not be limited to: Floorboards, foundations, fireplaces/mantels, lintels, doors, and windows.
- 109 Main Street – demo approved of barn on the property (1799).
Adjournment
The next meeting of the Historical Commission will be on Thursday, November 12th at 7:00 at the Newbury Town Library. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 PM.
Jan Forrest 11/13/15
Jan Forrest Date of approval
Clerk
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