SALEM HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MINUTES
December 3, 2008
A meeting of the Salem Historical Commission was held on Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at 120 Washington Street, Salem, MA. Present were Chairman Diozzi, Ms. Herbert, Ms. Bellin, Ms. Harper and Mr. Hart.
174 – A Federal Street
Martin Imm Realty Trust submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to add a metal railing at the front door. The design is to match the design of the railing installed at the door of Unit B which was required by the insurance company. Martin Imm represented the applicant.
Mr. Imm stated that his insurance company required the railing in the rear, which was not visible from the public way and has already been installed. He has since decided that he would like one on the front to match. He has already had the railing made and it has been propped up in the proposed location to show what it will look like. Photographs were provided.
Ms. Herbert asked if he considered a railing on each side of the steps to provide balance.
Mr. Hart stated that it is pretty conventional to have just one.
Ms. Herbert stated that she had no problem with the proposal.
Ms. Herbert made a motion to approve the application as submitted.
Mr. Hart seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Other Business
Ms. Herbert made a motion to approve the minutes of May 21, 2008. Mr. Hart seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve the minutes of June 18, 2008. Ms. Herbert seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Ms. Herbert made a motion to approve the minutes of July 16, 2008. Ms. Harper seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve the minutes of August 20, 2008. Mr. Hart seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Ms. Guy stated that she received the following letter copies from Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC):
- 11/12/2008 to FEMA concerning the Peabody Square Flood Mitigation Area (copies of which were mailed to Commission members on 11/19/08);
- 11/17/08 to Vine Associates finding “no potential to cause effects” at Hawthorne Cove Marina, 10 White Street because no new construction or demolition is planned;
J. Michael Ruane Judicial Center
Ms. Guy stated that the 80% submission for the J. Michael Ruane Judicial Complex was emailed to Commission members this morning and she has placed review and comment of the submission on the Commission’s agenda of 12/17/08. She stated that there is a meeting at DCAM for the interested parties on 12/16/08 and noted that Commissioners Diozzi, Herbert and Hart have been attending on behalf of the Commission. She suggested that members who are not attending, but have questions on the design, should provide their questions to one of the three Commission representatives. Comment on the 80% submission is due on December 23rd.
Ms. Guy suggested that Ms. Herbert start preparing draft comments soon, so that she can have a draft to circulate for when the Commission meets on the 12/17.
Ms. Bellin suggested circulating the draft prior to the 12/16th meeting.
Ms. Guy stated that it is at the meeting where a lot of questions are answered and new information is provided, so it is hard to comment until the meeting happens.
Ms. Bellin stated that her draft may prompt Commission members to think about what they might want answered for her to take to the meeting.
Ms. Herbert stated that she can provide an outline or talking points ahead of time.
Mr. Hart suggested that the Commission may want to consider writing a letter asking them to provide a 3-dimensional rendering, which might be helpful. The elevation that shows the portico is an important area and suggested a letter that says “Thank you very much for the elevations, they are helpful, but in order to better understand the relationship and the dimensionality of the design, we would appreciate a 3-dimensional rendering, particularly the south façade.”
Mr. Hart stated that he has received a lot of complaints from neighbors concerning the pile driving. He stated that Jane Arlander has been concerned about the rattling and that Dean Lahikainen was concerned about the Peirce-Nichols because they have items stored in there.
Ms. Herbert questioned if it was any more than the pounding when Universal Steel was there.
Mr. Hart stated that Ms. Arlander stated that it is rattling items on her bureaus and china in the closets. He stated that it is potentially damaging and that threshold limits should be set.
Ms. Herbert suggested sending an email to DCAM.
Mr. Hart agreed that it should be put on record. He stated that vibration can damage foundations. He noted the window panes rattle.
Mr. Hart made a motion to send a letter to DCAM with a cc to MHC indicating that the Commission has had some complaints from surrounding property owners concerning vibrations from the pile driving and to express concern about the effects that the pile driving activity will have on historic buildings and to request the respond with a program to monitor vibration.
Ms. Herbert seconded the motion and suggested that the letter also ask for the pile driving schedule. She noted that in the short term, vibration may begin to loosen things, but if extended, it can become cracks, fissures and broken parts, so the length of time of the pile driving is important to know.
There being no further business, Ms. Bellin made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Harper seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane A. Guy
Clerk of the Commission
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