SALEM HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MINUTES
March 18, 2009
A meeting of the Salem Historical Commission was held on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 120 Washington Street, Salem, MA. Present were Vice-Chair Herbert, Ms. Harper, Ms. Bellin, Ms. McCrea and Mr. Hart.
33 Washington Square/2 Oliver Street
David C. Jones presented an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace/add gutters in the courtyard area of the house. Materials to be either .024 aluminum K style or 16 oz. copper K style. Gutters to be attached with bar hangers directly to fascia and with suspension hangers above decorative crown. Downspouts will be pinned to the brick.
Mr. Jones stated that the gutters will not interfere with the crown molding and that he was leaning with using the copper. He stated that there is a section of roof overlooking the courtyard that is owned by 35 Washington Square, that he is considering asking the neighbors if he can gutter.
Ms. Herbert stated that she felt that based on the icicles visible, it is a huge problem and is important that the section owned by 35 Washington Square be done, in order to eliminate a downspout coming down in that corner where the two properties meet.
Mr. Jones stated that he will also paint the trim at the same time.
Ms. Guy stated that he could apply for a Certificate of Non-applicability at any time. She suggested giving the option to do the 35 Washington Square portion.
Ms. Harper asked what gutters are currently on the building.
Mr. Jones stated that there is mostly no gutters, but there is a few sections with copper. There is none on the Common side and is one on the Oliver Street side that he could salvage. He stated that copper is run right through the K machine, same machine as aluminum.
Ms. Harper asked the shape of the downspouts on the building.
Mr. Jones stated that they are closer to square, rather than round style.
Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve replacement/addition of gutters and downspouts in courtyard area of house (to be hung so as not to interfere with crown molding). Option for .024 aluminum (white gutters, bronze downspouts) or for 16oz copper. Gutters to be K-style with square downspouts. Option, if receive authorization from owners of 35 Washington Square, to add gutters & downspouts on the 35 Washington Square roof overlooking the courtyard.
Mr. Hart seconded the motion. Ms. Herbert, Ms. Bellin, Ms. McCrea and Mr. Hart voted in favor. Ms. Harper voted in opposition. The motion so carried.
53 Intervale Road
Mathew W. Nichols, along with his wife Lisa, presented an application to Waive the Demolition Delay Ordinance in order to demolish the house located 53 Intervale Road.
Mr. Nichols stated that they purchased the house this week. He provided photographs of the interior and exterior of the house, showing the condition of the property.
Mr. Hart asked when the house was built.
Ms. Nichols stated that it was built in 1945. She noted that the house has been unoccupied for almost two years.
Mr. Nichols stated that it has no insulation, has vinyl siding over cedar shingle and has vinyl windows. It is the last house on Intervale.
Ms. Herbert asked if there was asbestos.
Mr. Nichols stated that they have not found any so far.
Ms. Herbert asked the zoning.
Ms. Nichols stated that it is R1. She added that the house has mold.
Ms. McCrea made a motion to approve the waiver.
Ms. Bellin seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Other Business
Witch House Handicap Access
Ms. Guy provided Commission members with a draft letter of support for the City of Salem’s application for a variance from the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board. The variance is needed from the requirement for an interior 6’ ramp. The proposal is to add onto the side of the existing ramp, without changing the pitch and to widen the existing doorway.
Ms. Herbert asked if the ramp will be permanent.
Ms. Guy replied in the affirmative.
Mr. Hart asked the age of the door.
Ms. Guy stated that Bill Finch did a historical report with recommendations and that she will check the report for the age of the door and will report back to the Commission members. She believed it was a reproduction door.
Mr. Hart stated that there is no doubt that this house has been messed with.
Ms. Bellin suggested a mini door on the other side and keep the existing door.
Ms. Guy stated that that solution had been looked into, but could not recall why it did not work. She stated that it could be that the building code does not allow it.
Mr. Hart suggested adding onto the existing door, if the existing door is historic.
Ms. Guy will find out the proposal for the door and email members.
Ms. Bellin made a motion to send the letter of support. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Minutes
Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve the minutes of 3/5/08. Ms. Harper seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Correspondence
Ms. Guy stated that she received a letter from Massachusetts Historical Commission to MassDEP regarding Hawthorne Cove Marina at 10 White Street, which requested additional information on the proposed project.
384 Essex Street – Violation
Ms. Bellin announced that she would be abstaining.
Mr. Hart provided photographs of the property.
Ms. Guy stated that she was not sure if the column base on the porch on the right side should be considered a violation, because it matches the column bases on the front and was made visible when the Building Inspector required the fence removal.
Ms. Herbert stated that those are unlikely the original column bases.
Ms. Herbert suggested sending a letter stating that it has been brought to the Commission’s attention that the three rounded columns have altered bases, that we anticipate, due to the condition of the wood, that the owner will be making repairs sometime in the future and that the Commission suggests that the owner submit plans for more appropriate bases.
Mr. Hart made a motion for Ms. Guy to send the letter and to remove the property from the violation list. Ms. Harper seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried. Ms. Bellin abstained from voting.
Announcements
Mr. Hart stated that the Salem Historical Commission is now listed as a co-sponsor of the Greening of the Older Home workshop being held on 4/25/09. Alison Hardy, the Window Woman, has agreed to be there.
Mr. Hart stated that he was on the jury for a competition for the design of the Church Street parking lot site for Traditional Building and American Institute of Building Designers that took place last weekend.
There being no further business, Ms. Bellin made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Hart 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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