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D. Minutes - April 6, 2011, Approved
SALEM HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MINUTES
APRIL 6, 2011
        
A meeting of the Salem Historical Commission was held on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at 7:30 pm at 120 Washington Street, Salem, MA.  Present were Ms. Diozzi, Ms. Herbert, Mr. Hart, Ms. Harper, Ms. Bellin, Ms. McCrea and Ms. Keenan.

31 Washington Square North

In continuation of a previous meeting, Michael and Charlotte Shea submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install a new fence.

Documents & Exhibits
  • Application
  • Photographs
  • Plot Plan of Land from North Shore Survey Corp., revised to show fence dated 4/5/11
  • Elevation Plans of renovations dated 4/5/11 (A1 & A4) – Richard Griffin, registered architect
  • Sketch of 15 lite door, drawn on 4/6/11, Richard Griffin
Mr. Griffin stated that they are adding fence posts to mimic those across the street.   They will put termination posts at the driveways and at the end of the lot.  They will put a heavier piece of trim at the buildings.

There was no public comment.

Mr. Griffin stated that they would like to change one of the approved doors to a 15 lite door.

Mr. Shea stated that it would be similar to the Bertram House.

Mr. Griffin stated that it will match the one on the addition built last year.  It is a fir door and has simulated lites.

Mr. Shea stated that they are going to match the soldier course of brick over the doors, rather than have the arch.

Mr. Hart stated that he would like a sketch of what the door will look like.

Mr. Griffin created a sketch of the proposed door.

Mr. Shea stated that they were able to restore the clock.

Ms. Herbert made a motion to approve the fence as drawn and the 15 lite door at the rear of the carriage house facing the garage.  Ms. McCrea  seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.

60-62 Washington Square South

In continuation of a previous meeting Lewis Legon, Hodges Court Real Estate, LLC, submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the following:

  • Install 2 vents in chimneys as installed
  • Replace 2, third floor windows with double hunger Anderson 200s as installed
The agenda also included discussion on the windows installed with applied grids and the height of new faux chimney in rear.

Ms. Guy stated that she received a request to continue the application to the meeting of April 20th.

Ms. Bellin made a motion to continue the application.  Ms. McCrea seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.

1 Harrington Court

Donald Harrlow Powell submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for:

  • Change out 2nd floor windows on Flint Street side above bay and on Bridge Street side to
  •         match size of 2nd floor window on Harrington Ct. side
  • Remove block chimney on outside of house
  • Patch in existing siding with same cedar shingles or replace all with cedar shingles on
  •         three sides
  • Option to remove shingles and repair or replace clapboards underneath,  painted gray with
  •         white trim to match original color
  • Install white aluminum gutters with downspouts to match final wall color or to run along
  •         white trim if clapboard is used
  • Install boiler vent on alley side behind fence, 3’ above grade and 15’ from corner on
  •         Harrington Court side
  • Build new front deck
  • Install new railings on back steps to bring up to code.
Daniel Beauvais of Beauvais Builders and Mr. Powell were present.

Documents & Exhibits
  • Application
  • Photographs
  • Sketch of proposed deck completed by Beauvais Builders & a revised sketch
Mr. Beauvais mentioned a few examples of historic preservation projects that he has completed in the past.  He stated that the front window and the Bridge Street side windows are smaller than the window on the other side, so they would like to change them too match the larger window.  The windows will be all wood Brosco windows to match.  He stated that the sills on some windows are rotted and there is 908 casing on them.  He added that, after tearing off some of the siding, they found 50-60 percent of it is salvageable, but that it is peppered with nails.  He stated that one option is to pull the nails, fill the holes and save the siding, but it would be a daunting task.  Any existing pine clapboards that are not salvageable would be replaced with pine.  He noted that cedar clapboards do not come in square edge and that it would not be economical to make new cedar clapboards to match the existing pine clapboards.  He stated that another option is to replace all the cedar shingles and leave the 908.  He stated that there is also the option to remove the 908 and fill in between the windows and the space left from the old size windows with in 1 x 3 stock, cut off the existing press board sills and replace with cedar or fir sills.  He stated that the existing shingles are too dry rotted and that today he found interesting original shingling at the gable end, which they would like to restore. They can also replace a gable rack freeze board across which is currently missing.  He also found a triangle shape which appears to have once been a sign for the 1897 owner’s business and there is evidence that there was some kind of flatboard piece with molding that went around it.  He stated that he would like the option to replace all the existing shingles with new cedar shingles and save the pattern at the gable.

Mr. Hart stated that it would interesting to see if the same pattern is on the west gable. He stated that it is a nice craftsman style house that has been abused.  He stated that it could be a fabulous house.

Mr. Beauvais stated that if he repaired the clapboard siding, he would repair as much as possible and replace those to be replaced with pine to match.  He would fill in the space between the siding and the window with 1 x 3 stock.  For the 2 windows, he would reframe the opening and put in the larger windows to match the existing larger window in the side.  Where clapboards are missing, he will blend in new clapboards.  

Ms. Bellin made a motion to replace two 2nd floor windows (one on Flint and one on Bridge Street) to match the taller window on Harrington Court.  Ms. Herbert seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.  Mr. Hart abstained from voting.

Mr. Beauvais stated that they will clapboard over where the block chimney is being removed.

Ms. Herbert made a motion to approve the removal of the block chimney on the side of the house and clapboard over.  Ms. McCrea seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.

Ms. Harper stated that she would prefer keeping the pine clapboards.

Ms. Bellin stated that she would be willing to allow either pine or cedar clapboards.

Mr. Beauvais stated that they would be willing to try to fix the pine, but would like the option for cedar in case the pine proves too difficult.

Ms. Harper felt the clapboards are worth doing and will make the building stand out a lot more.

Mr. Hart stated that clapboards also go with the period.

Mr. Beauvais stated that it will be painted to match existing color bluish gray with white trim and white door.  
Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve removal of the shingled siding, repair the pine clapboards where possible and replace with new clear pine clapboards as needed, with the option to remove the pine clapboards and replace with clear cedar clapboards. Clapboards to be painted to match the existing bluish-grey and with white trim.  Ms. McCrea seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried

Mr. Beauvais stated that they will be placing gutters that are missing, to match the remaining.

Ms. Harper made a motion to give the option to fill in the triangle space with either MDO plywood or clapboards and add molding around it to maintain the original shape of the sign, or to not retain the triangle and to cover it over with clapboards.  Ms. McCrea seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.   Ms. Bellin and Ms. Herbert abstained from voting.

Ms. Bellin made a motion to preserve the shingle details on the two gable ends and restore the horizontal frieze board under the shingles.  Ms. McCrea seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.

Ms. Herbert made a motion to approve the installation of white aluminum gutters and downspouts where missing, to match existing gutters, with color to match the surface they run along.  Ms. Bellin seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.

Mr. Beauvais stated that the vent will be approximately 2 ½” diameter and will protrude 4” from the house and be painted to match house.

Ms. Diozzi stated that the paint will not hold due to the heat and felt it was not worth painting.

Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve the installation of a boiler vent on the alley side of the house, behind the fence, 3’ above grade and 15’ from the Harrington Court corner of the house, to be 2 ½” in diameter, protruding 4” from the house.  Ms. Herbert seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.

Mr. Beauvais  stated that the front porch will have 4 x 4 posts wrapped with 1 x 5 pine and will be capped with caps.

Ms. Herbert stated that she did not feel there would be a post in the center of the railing for this style house, but felt that there would be a foot support.  She said it was a pretty simple house, which should have square lattice on the sides and be open under the steps.  There should be a post on the bottom step.  

Ms. Harper made a motion to approve replacement of the front porch as drawn with an all wood front porch, except to remove the post against house, remove the center post and add block underneath rail for support.  It is to be a baluster and rail system with post that supports overhang.  Between support post and house, there will be two sections of balusters terminating in posts at the top of the stairs.  Stairs to have handrail and balusters with posts at bottom of stairs per revised drawing.  There will be a standard Brosco fluted rail and pyramid caps on 4 x4 posts wrapped in 1 x  5 pine.  All to be painted the trim color with deck grey decking and stair treads.  Ms. Bellin seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.

Mr. Beauvais stated that he would match the rear stair railing to the front.

Ms. Herbert made a motion to install new all wood railings on the rear stairs to match the front porch, including two posts on the landing with a piece of balustrade to the house, with no post at the house.  The single handrail will terminate with a post.  It will have pyramid caps on 4 x 4 posts wrapped in 1 x 5 pine.  All painted trim color with deck grey decking and stair treads. Ms. Bellin seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.

Ms. Harper suggested painting both doors black.

Ms. Herbert suggested an option for a  deep wine red color.

Ms. Harper made a motion to paint both doors either Essex Green, Black or a burgundy red with the approval of the burgundy red color delegated to Commissioner McCrea.  Ms. Bellin seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.

Ms. Herbert made a motion to approve removal of the 908 casing from the windows and replace with 1 x 4 trim, keeping the original width of the windows.  Ms. Bellin seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.

Other Business

  • Minutes
Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve the minutes of March 23, 2011.  Ms. Herbert seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.

  • Ms. Guy stated that she issued a subordination for the Commission’s Clerk’s Certificate as to Violation for 14 Cambridge Street in order for the homeowners to refinance.

There being no further business, Ms. Herbert made a motion to adjourn.   Ms. Bellin seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.


Respectfully submitted,



Jane A. Guy
Clerk of the Commission