SALEM HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MINUTES
MARCH 24, 2010
A meeting of the Salem Historical Commission was held on Wednesday, March 24, 2010 at 120 Washington Street, Salem, MA. Present were Ms. Diozzi, Ms. Harper, Ms. Bellin and Mr. Hart.
Ms. Diozzi announced that all four votes in favor would be needed to approve any motion.
31 Washington Sq. N
In continuation of a prior meeting, Michael Shea (under agreement) submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace missing section of antique rod iron fence in front of main house (if section can be located) and for roof replacement on the carriage house. Also present was Joe McCall.
Mr. Shea stated that the carriage house roof is poor and that there is interior damage from the leakage. He provided photographs of the asphalt roofs in the immediate neighborhood including, 33 Washington Square, 29 Washington Square, 2 Oliver Street, 35 Washington square, 26 Winter Street and 31 Washington Square. He noted that all once had slate and were replaced with 3-tab black or charcoal gray roofs. He stated that he would like to install the same roof on the carriage house as the rest of the surrounding property and to match the main house on this property. He noted that there were two types of slate used in the past – Maine and Pennsylvania. The houses with Maine slate have lasted 100 years and will last another 100 years. The houses with Pennsylvania slate, all those in
this neighborhood, the roof life is up. Pennsylvania slate flakes. He stated that he did not want to refurbish the carriage house and have roof leaks from the slate roof. He noted that the roof has felt paper under the slate with does not meet today’s code. The flashing is also deteriorated. He stated that he would not be able to afford to replace the roof with slate, which would be in the ballpark of $50,000. He also suggested an option to install GAF Slateline. He added that a few years ago, the owner of a house on Hamilton Street was unable to get approval from the Commission to replace the slate roof and since he has been back three times to repair the slate.
Mr. Hart stated that the Commission has approved GAF Grand Slate, not the Slateline.
Ms. Diozzi stated that she liked the GAF Grand Slate, but also liked the consistency of the two buildings having 3-tab.
Mr. Hart stated that he was okay with either Grand Slate or 3-tab.
Ms. Harper made a motion to approve a Certificate of Hardship for replacement of the carriage house slate roof with either 3 tab asphalt in black or charcoal gray or with GAF/Elk Grand Slate asphalt in Bristol Gray. Ms. Bellin seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Mr. McCall stated that the fence will be a 50’ run on the left side with ¾” square stock for picketed to simulate the right side as best as possible.
Mr. Shea stated that they will repair the right side with salvaged pickets.
Ms. Harper stated that she was okay with the proposal and that she liked saving the original fence.
Ms. Bellin suggested using finials that would match the Bertram House fence next door.
Mr. Hart stated that he did not think the difference in fences will be really noticeable from the Bertram House to this house.
Mr. Hart asked if the left and right fence heights will match.
Mr. McCall stated that there will be a 3-4” differences with the pickets being the same height.
Ms. Bellin suggested matching the height to the Bertram House fence.
Mr. Hart preferred the height of the right and left fences match.
Mr. Shea stated that they will try to get permission to tie the fence to the Bertram House granite post.
Mr. McCall stated that the pickets will not go into the granite, because the old pickets were snapped. They will install a horizontal bar along the bottom to which the pickets will be fastened and which will hide the holes in the granite.
Ms. Bellin made a motion to repair the existing iron fence on the front of the house, right side in kind. Install new iron fence (approximately 50’) on the front of the house, to the left side from the bottom of the stairs, along the streetscape to the property line, connecting with the existing granite post (if authorized by the Bertram Home). New fence to be ¾” square pickets to simulate the original fence as close as possible. Left side fence height to match right side fence height. New fence to have 3 posts – one at left side of stairs, one aligning with house corner and one ½ way to granite post. Fence to have horizontal bar along bottom fastened to the pickets, which will cover original fence holes. New fence posts to be King Architectural Metals
Original Brownstone and finials of all pickets to be Fleu-de-lis per catalog cuts submitted. Mr. Hart seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
24 ½ Winter Street
Krishna Gaddipati and Sarah Wheeler-Gaddipati submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish a structurally unsafe garage. A copy of a structural report from Structures North was provided.
Ms. Guy read a letter from Neil and Martha Chayet, 25 Winter Street, in favor of the application.
Ms. Diozzi stated that the garage is not even in the style of the house.
Martha Chayet, 26 Winter Street, stated that she was in favor of the application and described the water problems due to the proximity of the garage to their property.
Mr. Hart stated that the garage is of a period later than the existing house and those to the left and right of it. He noted that there is no high degree of architectural significance.
Mr. Hart made a motion to approve demolition of the garage, conditional that the owner photograph all four sides and the interior of the structure and submit the photos to the Department of Planning & Community Development for the Commissions’ files. Ms. Bellin seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Other Business
- 15 Warren Street – Request for extension
Ms. Guy stated that she received an e-mail request to extend a Certificate of Appropriateness for 15 Warren Street dated June 11, 2007.
Ms. Bellin made a motion to extend the certificate for one year. Mr. Hart seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
- CLG Opinion: Eligibility for National Register – 142 North Street
Ms. Guy provided a draft of a Certified Local Government Opinion of Eligibility for the National Register for 142 North Street.
Ms. Bellin made a motion to submit the CLG opinion to Massachusetts Historical Commission. Mr. Hart seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve the minutes of March 19, 2008. Mr. Hart 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. 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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