SALEM HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MINUTES
JULY 20, 2011
A meeting of the Salem Historical Commission was held on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at 7:30 pm at 120 Washington Street, Salem, MA. Present were Ms. Herbert, Ms. Diozzi, Ms. Keenan, Ms. McCrea and Ms. Bellin.
1 Brown Street
In continuation of a previous meeting, the Peabody Essex Museum submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to remove mineral board siding, aluminum gutters and storm windows and other trim details for the purpose of exposing underlying historic fabric. The work will be done under the direction of Finch & Rose and after surveying the historic fabric, a stabilization plan will be developed in advance of strategic planning for the restoration/preservation of the structure. Robert Monk, Director of Facilities and Security, was present.
Documents & Exhibits
Mr. Monk stated that this is the second phase and that the interior was the first phase. He stated that there is a substantial amount of fabric from the 1806 restoration. There is very little from the 1760 period when the house was constructed. He noted that they have learned a lot from the interior and will now survey the outside. He stated that they will develop a plan to stabilize the structure. They hope to find it sufficient to support a new roof. If not, they will need to do temporary repairs to stabilize the structure. He noted that at one time the building was a grocery store with the front being solid plate glass. He added that the mullions appear to have been added in the 1950s. It is still up in the air what the use will be, but he is fairly certain it will
be a museum-related use, such as office space. He stated that he was also fairly certain that it won’t go back to a residential use. He stated that he hopes to be back before the Commission in October or November with a plan. He stated that the goal is to have the building look like a cared for, lived in house. They will need to upgrade the stairwell and install fire safety.
There was no public comment.
Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve the application as submitted, conditional that the owner present the stabilization and strategic plans at the Commission’s first meeting in November. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
362 Essex Street
Peter Atkinson and Jennifer Allen presented an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the removal of wood shingles on the East hip of the carriage house (not original) and replace with black asphalt consistent with the rest of the house and for paint colors. Body to be Affinity AF-60 and trim to be Alabaster with doors and shutters to remain black.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application
- Photographs
- Paint chips
Mr. Atkinson stated that his neighbor states that the wood shingles are not original. The East hip is the only place they are on the carriage house and they were installed by the previous owner as part of the garden.
Ms. Bellin asked if the rest of the house is 3-tab black asphalt.
Mr. Atkinson replied in the affirmative.
Ms. Allen stated that they will also need to make repairs to wood elements prior to painting.
There was no public comment.
Ms. Diozzi made a motion to approve the application as submitted for roof replacement and paint colors and to approve repairs to rotten wood. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
15 ½ River Street
Peter and Jan Eschauzier presented an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to remove and replace the existing fence and gate. The new fence to be lattice/trellis with an arbor gate. The new fence to be placed 4’ towards the house.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application
- Photographs
- Sketches/landscape design
There was no public comment.
Ms. McCrea made a motion to approve the application as submitted. Ms. Bellin seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
40 Chestnut Street
Jeffrey P. Beale presented an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to remove old fencing and replace with similar cedar fencing from Walpole Woodworks, finish facing the street to be white and facing the neighbors to be dark green. The application states that all abutting neighbors have agreed and all cost are to be born by the owner of 40 Chestnut St.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application
- Photographs
- Walpole Woodworkers drawing of gate
- Walpole Woodworkers sales agreement and change order
- Sherman Williams Stain catalog cut
Mr. Beale stated that the stain color will be Extra White. He noted that the existing fence abuts four of his neighbors and that they have all seen it and agreed to it. The gate is custom designed to reflect the Palladian window on the house. There is also a custom designed transition piece abutting the neighbor’s deck.
There was no public comment.
Ms. Diozzi made a motion to approve the application as submitted. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
5 Beckford Street
Robert Allen and Robert Soucy presented an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace an existing second floor deck currently 6’2” x 8’ with a larger deck of 7’10” x 16’, to be pressure treated wood with either mahogany or pressure treated decking. The handrail is to be 5 posts with 4’ spacing, 2 x 4 upper and lower railing, 1 ¼ balusters with 3 ½” spacing. There will be two 4” x 6” pressure treated posts for support to the ground. Mr. Allen was present.
Documents & Exhibits
Mr. Allen stated that he will probably use fir rather than pressure treated wood.
Ms. Herbert asked if they will have the criss-cross that is there now.
Mr. Allen replied in the negative. He stated that it is minimally visible from Beckford Street. It will be painted to match the house.
There was no public comment.
Ms. Herbert stated that the balusters should not be applied to the outside of the bottom rail, but rather the balusters should rest on it and the bottom rail should be thicker.
Ms. Guy suggested using the porch design in the guidelines as a guide for the balusters, without the thicker posts.
Ms. Herbert suggested looking at the Brosco catalog. She asked if the posts to the ground will be visible.
Mr. Allen stated that the corner post may be visible.
Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve the expanded deck, with balustrade railing design and construction to comply with the Commission’s guidelines. Ms. Diozzi seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
31 Flint Street
Suzanne and Jonathan Felt presented an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to remove sideward painted cedar shingles and restore original clapboards on entire house. House to be grey with white trim.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application
- Photographs
- Paint chips
Ms. Felt stated that Colonial Remodeling removed a piece to see what was underneath. She stated that they will need a new skirtboard and will restore anything else that is removed or destroyed. The shutters and door will remain black. The body color will be Fieldstone and the trim will be Sensible White.
Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve the application as submitted and to include the replacement of clapboards, watertable and trim as needed. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
4 Andover Street
In continuation of a previous meeting, Joel F. and Judy H. Caron submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace an existing picket fence with a Molly Prichard Picket Fence.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application
- Photographs
- Proposal from J. C. Fence Co.
Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve the fence replacement with picket spacing to be 2”, painted brown to match house. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
31 Washington Square – Discussion on window installation
Ms. Guy stated that Mike Shea contacted her and is having back pain issues and has asked to be placed on the August 3rd agenda.
Other Business
- Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve the minutes of June 15, 2011. Ms. Diozzi seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
There being no further business, Ms. McCrea made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Diozzi 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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