Minutes of the Princeton Historical Commission
January 19, 2012
Town Hall Annex, 7 PM
Attendees: Joyce Anderson, Sheila Dubman, Alex Fiandaca, Joe Lee, Matt Lindberg and Mickey Splaine.
Members approved minutes from November 29, 2011.
Annual Report
Sheila requested suggestions for the 2011 annual report. Members suggested focusing on the Meetinghouse Cemetery conservation project as well as the Commission’s outreach to the owner of the schoolhouse at 96 Ball Hill Road. Members also thought it was important to mention the Wachusett Mountain nomination and to indicate that there was opposition to the effort.
Alex will provide Sheila with some specifics on last year’s accomplishments at Meetinghouse Cemetery.
96 Ball Hill Road - Schoolhouse No. 5
Sheila and Alex attended a meeting between Steve Gelman (owner of 96 Ball Hill Road) and Building Inspector John Wilson in support of Mr. Gelman’s intent to preserve the schoolhouse on his property. Mr. Gelman intends to attach his new home to the schoolhouse this spring and to restore the first floor of the school house in the future.
Wachusett Mountain
Sheila met with John Lebeaux to discuss distributing the $4000 nomination reimbursement from David Crowley. $2000 will be reimbursed to Westminster and $2000 to Princeton. Of Princeton’s $2000, $1000 will be returned to a private donor and the other $1000 will go to the Historical Commission.
Meeting House
Members discussed the storage of gravestone fragments that are found whenever a gravestone is reset. Alex has expressed concern that the number of fragments has outgrown the current system of storing the fragments in the grass on the slope behind the tombs. Since 2007 the fragments have been sinking into the ground and will soon be indistinguishable. Most of the fragments have no markings and might warrant a separate system from those with markings. Any new system should be agreeable to the Cemetery Commission and members agreed that a site visit in the spring with the Cemetery Commission would be ideal.
Mechanics Hall
The Underutilized Town Asset Committee will hold an open house at Mechanics Hall on Saturday February 11th from 10am to Noon to give the public an opportunity to view the interior of the building and to gauge their interest in forming an advocacy group.
Minutes of the Princeton Historical Commission
January 19, 2012
Town Hall Annex, 7 PM
Page 2
Redemption Rock Historic Marker
Members are eager to begin restoration of the severely rusted Tercentenary Marker at Redemption Rock. Mickey determined that Mass DOT is responsible for the marker but would only restore it as part of a larger road project. Mickey will obtain specifications for cleaning and repainting the marker. Since Worcester’s Wigwam Hill marker will be restored this spring, more information about the restoration process will be available soon.
Bagg Hall
Sheila approached John Lebeaux regarding items stored on the second floor of Bagg Hall and the Commission’s desire to identify items of historical significance before they are auctioned by the Town. John indicated that the Commission is free to tag such items.
Members also expressed an interest in working with the Historical Society to promote more accessible displays of historic artifacts.
Next Meeting:
Thursday, February 23, 2012 Town Hall Annex, 7PM
Other Meetings:
Saturday, February 11, 10 am -12 pm, Mechanics Hall
Wednesday, February 15, 7:30 pm, Planning Board’s public forum on East Princeton
Respectfully submitted, Alex Fiandaca
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