SALEM HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MINUTES
December 2, 2009
A meeting of the Salem Historical Commission was held on Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 120 Washington Street, Salem, MA. Present were Ms. Diozzi, Ms. Herbert, Ms. Harper, Mr. Hart and Ms. Bellin. Ms McCrea arrived later in the meeting.
59 Summer Street
In continuation of a previous meeting, Daniel and Michelle Finamore presented an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the replacement of a skylight with a Velux VX304.
Ms. Guy stated that the Commission acted on this application at the last meeting, but also continued it to allow the applicant to provide additional skylight options. She stated that she received an e-mail from the applicant asking to be removed from the agenda. No further action is needed.
20 Albion Street
Joseph Salamone, 45 Beacon Street, Reading, submitted an application for Waiver of the Demolition Delay Ordinance for demolition of the house at 20 Albion Street. He provided a rendering of the new house and photographs of the exterior and interior.
Mr. Salamone stated that he purchased the house in foreclosure. He did not believe it was of architectural significance. He noted that there is not ample headroom in the upper floors and basement. There is water seepage in the basement. It is a non-conforming structure on a non-conforming lot. He proposed to center the new house on the lot and keep the same street line. The existing is a 4 bedroom and he is proposing a 3 bedroom. The new house will meet current zoning requirements in terms of setbacks. The driveway will accommodate 4 cars.
Ms. Diozzi asked the age of the house.
Mr. Salamone believed it was in the 1990s.
Ms. Herbert stated that the Assessor’s record states 1850. She wondered how the new design will fit in with the other houses on the streetscape.
Mr. Salamone stated that the houses in the area are mixed including multi-family and single family unit. He stated it was zoned residential single family.
Ms. Diozzi asked the materials of the new house.
Mr. Salamone stated that some is composite siding and some is vinyl siding. The windows will be vinyl.
Mr. Hart stated that he would like a site visit. He stated that he would like to see the condition, since the application states that it is beyond repair.
Ms. Herbert stated that she felt the lintel over the door would never have competed with the bays. She noted that the Commission does not have any say over the new design, but can delay demolition up to six months if they feel there is a chance to do something different. She stated that assuming the house is really beyond repair, if the new design is more sensitive to the original, it may be easier to accept it. She stated that the front porch is not at all within the realm of what the Commission would be looking for. She stated that the lites down one side of the front is a very modern look. She stated that the same square footage and maybe the same footprint, but with a few changes to make it more sensitive to the original would be what the Commission would look for if it is
determined to be beyond repair. She felt the work changes would be in the front porch area, and also that the clapboards should runright up to the ridge of the house.
Mr. Salamone asked if it is recommended to eliminate the covered porch.
Ms. Herbert replied in the affirmative.
Mr. Salamone asked if there should be a solid door with no sidelights.
Ms. Herbert stated that it appears to be an original lintel over the door, but that the door is not original, now with two lights on the top and sidelights. It would have had the door centered, with possibly some side lites and possibly some raised panels next to the door. She stated that the Commission could show him some examples.
Mr. Salamone stated that he is flexible.
Ms. Herbert made a motion to continue the application to the next meeting and to hold a site visit on Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 9:00 am. Ms. Bellin seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Ms. McCrea joined the meeting at this time.
Other Business
- Telecommunications Installation – 181 North Street.
Ms. Guy stated that she received updated information from Sage Environmental. She stated that she spoke to them and they claim that the only change is the widening of the simulated chimney as requested by the Commission.
Mr. Hart stated that the drawing still shows the narrower chimney.
Ms. McCrea made a motion to have Ms. Guy send a comment letter repeating the comments made in May, 2009, stating that the chimney should be 6’ x 6’.
Ms. Bellin seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
- Telecommunications Installation – 217-219 Essex Street
Ms. Guy stated that she received additional information from Environmental Resources Management.
Ms. Harper stated that it doesn’t look like it will be all that different from what is currently there.
Mr. Hart stated that the average person walking down the street is not going to see them, and agreed that it doesn’t look like there will be much difference or be that visible.
Ms. Bellin made a motion to send a letter stating that the Commission has not comments on the proposal. Mr. Hart seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve the minutes of July 30, 2008. Mr. Hart seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Mr. Hart made a motion to approve the minutes of July 1, 2009. Ms. Herbert seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Ms. Herbert made a motion to approve the minutes of August 19, 2009, subject to Ms. Guy reviewing the tape of the last paragraph of Salem mission discussion and making any necessary changes. Ms. Bellin seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Ms. Herbert made a motion to approve the minutes of September 8, 2009 as amended. Ms. Bellin seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve the minutes of November 18, 2009. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
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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