Minutes of the Princeton Historical Commission
February 23, 2012
Town Hall Annex, 7 PM
Attendees: Sheila Dubman, Alex Fiandaca, Joe Lee and Mickey Splaine.
Members approved minutes from January 19, 2012.
96 Ball Hill Road - Schoolhouse No. 5
Sheila has received a request to sign a demolition permit for the schoolhouse. Joe, Mickey and Alex will meet on Sunday to take photographs of the building. Previously Mr. Gelman indicated that he was agreeable to the Commission taking photographs at any time and Sheila will notify him of our plans to do so.
Mechanics Hall
Members discussed the role of the Commission as the effort to preserve Mechanics Hall starts gaining momentum. Members agreed to support the soon-to-be formed Friends of Mechanics Hall in their preservation activities and grant seeking efforts.
Four Corners
Historic write Anne Forbes has been paid $1500 so far for her work on the Four Corners nomination. The total cost for Anne’s work is $4000. Another bill from Anne is expected soon.
Sheila reviewed the Commission’s budget as follows:
$1500 remains in the Commission’s expense account and this amount must be spent by June 30. $4400 remains in the donation account. Another $1500 will be available July 1 assuming the budget is approved at Town Meeting.
Everettville
Everettville has been deemed eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places and the next step will be completing an inventory of the area. The uncertainty of Everettville’s boundaries makes this inventory particularly challenging. Joyce has suggested that the Commission contact Anne Forbes to request an estimate for preparing the inventory.
Redemption Rock Historic Marker
Mickey has provided members with background information on the Tercentenary Commission’s markers as well as restoration specifications from Mass DOT. An excerpt from Historical Markers Erected by Massachusetts Bay Colony Tercentenary Commission, 1930, appears below:
“The Historical Markers erected by the Massachusetts Bay Colony Tercentenary Commission during the year 1930 are of cast iron, both the post and the tablet.
The tablet and post were designed by Charles R. Greco, Chairman of the Art Commission of the Commonwealth.
The legend is the same on both sides of the tablet which is erected perpendicular to the road in order that a passer-by from either direction may read the inscription without descending from his car.
Minutes of the Princeton Historical Commission
February 23, 2012
Town Hall Annex, 7 PM
Page 2
All the tablets are thirty-six inches in width; those bearing the longer inscriptions are thirty-five inches high to the top of the coat of arm; those with the shorter inscriptions are thirty-five inches high to the top of the coat of arms.
The background of the tablet is painted with aluminum; the letters and the trim in black; the coat of arms of the Commonwealth in blue and gold. The post is painted with aluminum……
The weight of the larger tablet is about 200 pounds; the weight of the smaller tablet is about 165 pounds.”
Mickey will follow the restoration progress of Worcester’s Wigwam Hill marker which could serve as a guide for Princeton’s Redemption Rock marker.
Massachusetts Bill S 2053
Alex has looked into bill S 2053, which effectively silences Mass Historic’s voice on behalf of sites determined eligible for, but not yet on, the National Register. Alex will forward background information to members.
Next Meeting:
Thursday, March 15, 2012 Town Hall Annex, 7PM
Respectfully submitted,
Alex Fiandaca
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