SALEM HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MINUTES
October 7, 2009
A meeting of the Salem Historical Commission was held on Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at 120 Washington Street, Salem, MA. Present were Ms. Diozzi, Ms. Herbert, Mr. Hart and Ms. Bellin.
Ms. Harper joined later in the meeting.
396 Essex Street
In continuation of a previous meeting, Laurie Weisman Bellin and Jeff Bellin, Julie & Stuart Brown, Sue Benedict and Daniel Leavitt presented an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install roof vents.
Ms. Guy stated that she received a telephone call from Sue Benedict requesting to withdraw the application. Since the Commission has already acted on the original application, no further action was needed.
4 Federal Court
In continuation of a prior meeting, Michael Digris and Michele Washburn submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for roof vent installation that has already been completed.
Mr. Digris stated the contractor who installed it went back to the manufacturer and was told that they could not guarantee it if it were altered. Mr. Digris noted that a rectangle shape would extend over the peak and would then be visible from both sides. He provided a letter from Essex County Craftsman. He proposes to paint the metal part black.
Ms. Harper joined the meeting at this time.
Ms. Herbert made a motion to approve the vent under a Certificate of Hardship conditional that it be painted to match the color of the roof as close as possible. Ms. Bellin seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried. Ms. Harper recused herself from voting.
156-161 Federal Street
In continuation of a prior meeting, St. James Parish submitted an application for a Certificate of Hardship for the replacement of an existing non-functioning inclined platform lift with an enclosed vertical platform lift. Josh Safdie and Deacon Norman LaPointe were present.
Mr. Safdie provided samples of the standard colors that the manufacturer offers. He noted that they can match any color. He provided shop drawings from the manufacturer showing that they do make a metal gable cap in the same material and color. He stated that the manufacturer will not do a custom fabrication. He also provided a revised drawing showing the fenestration. He stated that the upper portion of the lift is dependent on the size and is site specific and that the drawing is representative of what it might look like. He noted that they cannot provide final shop drawings until the Parish signs the contract and they cannot sign the contract until they get the Commission’s approval.
Mr. Hart made a motion to approve the unit with tinted glass with the metal being as close to the color of the glass as possible (similar to the catalog) and with the gable cap and to ask if a more prominent hip cap if available. Ms. Bellin seconded the motion.
Ms. Herbert requested an amendment to the motion, that if the cap can be made more prominent, that it be delegated to Mr. Hart. Ms. Bellin seconded the amendment.
All were in favor and the motion so carried.
13 Cambridge Street
Eric Richards and Michael Sherriff presented an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to 1) remove existing asphalt 3 tab shingles (green in color) and replace with new 3 tab asphalt black shingles; 2) remove existing wooden gutter on both the front and rear facades with the front façade requiring rebuilding to include reinstallation of newly milled reproduction crown molding previously removed; 3) change window sash color from brite white to gloss black to match with front door and shutter color; and 4) change storm window color from brite white aluminum to black. Mr. Richards was present.
Mr. Richards stated that the façade does not see sun in the winter and the water freezes in the gutter.
Ms. Herbert suggested installing a copper diverter under the shingle.
Mr. Hart agreed and suggested asking Kevin Kidney and then coming back to the Commission.
Ms. Herbert made a motion to approve the change in roof color. Ms. Bellin seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve the gutter removal and repairs to fascia and crown molding. Ms. Herbert seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Brian Shaughnessy, 4 Broad Street, stated that he felt the proposed will look terrific.
Ms. Herbert made a motion to approve the sash color to be gloss black. Ms. Bellin seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Ms. Guy noted that storm windows are not in commission’s jurisdiction.
Ms. Herbert stated that the storms should be the same color as the sash, so that the horizontals of the sash don’t stand out.
17 North Street
17 North Street LLC submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the alteration of approved plans including:
- South Elevation – change 4 dormers to 2 and change left side windows to be uniform with right side windows
- West Elevation – change bay windows to double doors with Juliet balconies and balanced window arrangement in center of elevation
- North Elevation – change handrails
Present was William Wharff, representing the applicant. Drawings were provided.
Mr. Wharff stated that there will be no changes to North street side of building. He stated that the major change on the south side is going from 4 to 2 dormers. He noted that in the historic photograph, there were only 2 dormers.
Ms. Herbert agreed with reducing it, but wondered if three would be better, since the building is larger.
Mr. Wharff stated that the four small windows will be changed to match the larger one and on the first floor he will change the plain window to match the historic window. He stated that for the West elevation, the bays would have stuck out into the parking and it was too grandiose for the back of the building. He stated that on the North elevation, the railing will be changed.
Ms. Herbert made a motion to approve the changes as submitted. Ms. Harper seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Other Business
1. 23 Mall Street – Request for comment
Ms. Guy stated that 23 Mall Street is within a National Register District and that the owners are going through the City’s Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program which is funded with Community Development Block Grant Funds. According to the Programmatic Agreement, the Commission can comment on the proposed work. The work will include roof replacement with 3-tab charcoal or black asphalt and the demolition of a garage-type addition which will be replaced with a landing and stairs which will be designed per the sample in the Commission’s guidelines. The Commission had no comments on the alterations.
Ms. Guy stated that she emailed Commission members copies of the following letters:
- 9/16/09 – Winter Street Architects to Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC)
- 9/16/09 – MHC to Winter Street Architects
Ms. Guy noted that Ms. Herbert emailed Commission members a letter that she sent as an individual to MHC on 9/21/09.
3. Mr. Hart stated that he attended the MBTA garage public meeting,, along with Ms. Bellin and Ms. Herbert. He stated that there is federal money involved in the project and felt it would behoove them to start the 106 process earlier rather than later. He asked Ms. Guy to ask Lynn Duncan about the process.
There being no further business, Ms. Bellin made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Herbert 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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