SALEM HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MINUTES
APRIL 20, 2011
A meeting of the Salem Historical Commission was held on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at 7:30 pm at 120 Washington Street, Salem, MA. Present were Ms. Diozzi, Ms. Herbert, Mr. Hart, Ms. Harper and Ms. Bellin.
Ms. Keenan and Ms. McCrea arrived later in the meeting.
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 May 4th.
Mr. Hart made a motion to continue the application. Ms. Bellin seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
401 Bridge Street
High Rock Bridge Street LLC submitted an application for Waiver of the Demolition Delay Ordinance to completely remove the building, noting that the roof has partially collapsed and is unsafe. The building is being removed for a new 137,000 s.f. commercial building.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application
- Photographs
- Demolition & Erosion Control Plan
- Gateway Center elevations
Ms. Guy stated that she received a request to continue the application to the meeting of May 4th.
Ms. Bellin made a motion to continue the application. Mr. Hart seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
86 Essex Street
The Salem Housing Authority submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install an air cooled condensing unit required for the air conditioning system for the elevator room. It is proposed for the rear of the building, adjacent to the rear door and just inside a job iin the brick wall. The rear of the building is mostly blocked by the two-story townhouse units at 84 and 88 Essex Street, but the unit will be visible from the public way from a few angles. They are unable to mount the unit lower due to the location of gas meters and piping. The size of the unit is 23 5/8” x 31 ½” x 1 13/16” and the factory finish is beige. Present were Debra Tucker of the Salem Housing Authority and Janet Moore of Syska Hennessy.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application
- Photographs
- Syska Hennessy drawings V-1, SK-2
- Mitsubishi Electric catalog cut of PUY-A12NHA
Ms. Harper stated that she felt it was pretty visible and asked if it needed to be right next to the door. She asked if it could be behind the rhododendron bushes or painted.
Ms. Tucker stated that there is either no room or there are drainage issues. They are willing to paint it.
Ms. Moore stated that there may be a brick colored cover available and she is looking into it.
Ms. Tucker stated that they may be able to match it better with paint.
Ms. Herbert suggested putting a tall arborvitae on each side in front of the wall to camouflage the equipment.
Mr. Hart stated that in Savannah, GA he saw a gas meter painted to simulate brick. He stated that it would be a nice idea to minimize the obtrusiveness as much as possible.
Ms. Keenan joined the meeting.
Ms. Moore stated that it is required by elevator code. It will not be flush mounted, but will be bolted to a stand and will be approximately 4-6” from the back of the unit to the L-shaped bracket. She added that they looked into mounting it on the ground and placing it between residents’ windows.
Mr. Hart asked if it could be mounted on the inside of the half wall.
Ms. Moore stated that she could look into it, but was not sure if it would be problematic for meter reader clearance due to code. She was concerned about the space constraints. She did not think it was an option, but could explore it.
Mr. Hart preferred that they check and come back.
Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve a Certificate of Non-applicability to install the unit on the inside of the half wall so as to be non-visible and to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for the unit as submitted, conditional that it either be painted or covered in a color to match the brick, if the Certificate of Non-applicability is not feasible.
Ms. Harper seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried. Mr. Hart and Ms. Herbert abstained from voting
Ms. McCrea joined the meeting.
Other Business
- Mr. Hart made a motion to approve the minutes of April 6, 2011. Ms. Herbert seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
- Ms. Guy stated that she sent a letter to the Board of Appeal, regarding 15 High Street proposed demolition, which is on their agenda. Ms. Guy informed the board that it is subject to the Demolition Delay Ordinance.
- Ms. Guy stated that she forwarded an email to Commission members from Lloyd Michaud regarding the National Grid’s proposed cable replacement project.
- Ms. Diozzi stated that she gave the Mayor a letter of resignation effective September 1st and stated that she would also be stepping down as chair. Ms. Guy will put election of officers on the May 18th meeting agenda.
- Ms. Guy provided photos submitted by Kate Murray of 1 Harrington Court, when here family owned it. Ms. Herbert stated that she toured the building and that the rooms are really tiny. She did a cost analysis but did not see how new windows would get a higher sales price.
There being no further business, Ms. Bellin made a motion to adjourn. Ms. McCrea 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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