Minutes of the Princeton Historical Commission
June 21, 2012
Town Hall Annex, 7 PM
Attendees: Joyce Anderson, Sheila Dubman, Alex Fiandaca, Matt Lindberg and Mickey Splaine. Tina Paradiso also joined the meeting.
Members approved minutes from April 24, 2012.
20 Allen Hill Road
Charlie and Charlotte Steele have approached the Historical Commission for support of their plan to build a garage on their Allen Hill Road property. Since the garage would be within 50 feet of the road, it requires a variance from the zoning board of appeals. Members agreed that the house, built long before set-backs were established, deserves special consideration. Allen Hill Road was built nearly one hundred years after the house itself, and the road that the house once faced (“the road to Meetinghouse Hill”) no longer exists. Members authorized Sheila to compose a letter of support and agreed to attend the zoning board meeting if possible. Matt suggested looking into the specific language of the variance. Alex will send the history of the house (built by Silas Fay, Jr. in 1804) to members.
Four Corners
Anne Forbes has been paid $1500 for her work so far on the Four Corners nomination.
Redemption Rock Historic Marker
Mickey reported that the Highway Department has removed the Redemption Rock marker which Mickey then delivered to Worcester Technical High School. The sign has been primed and the students will finish painting it in the fall when they return to school. The students will also make a trip to Princeton to paint the sign post. Mickey suggested providing lunch for the kids on the day of the installation. Mickey will touch base with Phyllis Booth to let her know the sign has been taken down to be restored.
Town Hall Vault
Members discussed meeting on a Friday in the near future to continue cataloging items in the town vault. Lynne G. suggested that a Friday would give members more time than a Tuesday evening. John L. is in the office on Fridays and Sheila will contact him once a date is chosen.
Members expressed concern about the lack of fire proof storage in town hall and noted that the American Antiquarian Society in Worcester might be the best option for ultimate storage of certain items. Some records have been stored on microfiche but the town has no such viewer. Joyce indicated that the Holden library has a microfiche viewer in their history room and members discussed the possibility of eventually converting these records to a digital format. Members also discussed the pool table in the second floor of Bagg Hall, a remnant of the hall’s use a teen center. The table is very heavy and is believed to be overloading the second floor. Matt will contact Parks and Rec to gauge their interest and Joyce will look into the town auction as an option for disposal.
History Column in Landmark
Sheila has proposed a local history column in the Landmark to which each town (Princeton, Holden, Sterling, Paxton and Rutland) would contribute on a regular basis. Phyllis indicated that space in the Landmark has become extremely limited and a regular column is unlikely. Sheila will continue to pursue the possibility and will reach out to neighboring Historical Commissions.
Entering Princeton
Members discussed the inconsistency of road signs in town (“Inc.” versus “Est.”). The date of 1759, in which Princeton became a district, appears on most of the town’s road signs and is the more familiar date associated with Princeton’s founding. Princeton’s incorporation was in 1771. Members agreed that “Est. 1759” would be the best wording for the road signs. Mickey will check Mass Highway’s town card file to see what information is on record.
Meetinghouse Cemetery Conservation Project
Sheila has contacted John Lebeaux about having another inmate work session this fall and is awaiting confirmation. Alex has asked Ta Mara to reserve Monday, Sept 24 and Tuesday, Sept 25 as possible work session dates. The Commission was very pleased to work with Officer Mike Brennan at last year’s work session and would like to request him again, if possible.
Alex and Sheila met with the Cemetery Commission on June 18th to continue the discussion about storage of gravestone fragments. After meeting at Meetinghouse Cemetery to look at the existing fragments, the group reconvened in the annex. At the last meeting both Commissions discussed the possibility of restoring the tombs for fragment storage, and at this meeting, Bruce Rollins presented an estimate of $6,000 to 7,000 for excavation and grading work and $600 to $700 for the installation of a steel door. Alex will look into DCR grant opportunities specific to cemeteries. In the meantime the fragments will continue to be placed around the back slope of the tomb farthest from the cemetery entrance gate.
Mechanics Hall
The Friends of Mechanics Hall have requested a letter of support from the Historical Commission to include with their application to Preservation Massachusetts’ Most Endangered Historic Resources Program. Sheila will draft a letter for members to review. Joyce indicated that the Historical Commission nominated Mechanics Hall to the same program in 1998.
Members discussed ways in which the Commission could help the Friends in their mission to preserve Mechanics Hall. A letter to old house owners was suggested and there was some discussion as to whether or not this would overlook potential supporters not living in old houses. Members agreed in principle that approaching old house owners would be worthwhile.
Civil War Sesquicentennial
Mickey contacted Pete Rotundo (Princeton Fire Department Chaplin) regarding Civil War events in the area. Pete indicated there are three local events in Boylston and West Boylston, but nothing in Princeton at least at this time.
Commission members discussed the possibility of preparing material for the Sesquicentennial related specifically to Princeton’s role in abolition. Residents of Everettville and Russell Corner were active participants in the abolitionist movement. Sheila indicated that Frederick Douglas visited her house when it was home to the Everetts’ and that “Everettville Depot” was a well-known stop along the underground ground railroad.
Utility Towers on Mountain
Sheila received a letter from MHC in May seeking the Commission’s input on the Wachusett Mountain State Reservation Area Enhancement Project. Sheila relayed the Commission’s commitment to maintaining an historically sensitive appearance of the structures on the mountain summit whenever possible. No further action is required.
Next Meeting:
Thursday, August 16th, 7 PM in the Annex
Respectfully submitted,
Alex Fiandaca
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