SALEM HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 21, 2011
A meeting of the Salem Historical Commission was held on Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 7:30 pm at 120 Washington Street, Salem, MA. Present were Ms. Herbert, Ms. Bellin, Ms. McCrea, Ms. Keenan and Ms. Harper.
31 Washington Square N, Unit 1
In continuation of a previous meeting, Jana Catterson and Frederick Hammond presented an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace windows with Marvin double hung wood windows (wood exterior) with 7/8” muntins with putty glazed detail in primed pine interior and a full screen (continued from last meeting, but public hearing never opened).
Documents & Exhibits
The applicants brought in a manufacturers sample of the window for view.
Mr. Hammond stated that it is 7/8” with putty glazed look. The bronze spacer is available.
Ms. Guy read an email from David Hart dated September 13, 2011 which stated, “In reviewing a few photos of the Bertram House (adjacent to 31), I noticed that the first floor windows were 6/6 with exterior storms. The upper two floors are 6/6 with no exterior storms. I was struck by the fact that I had never noticed the difference in appearance. Therefore, I am softening my opinion that all the windows have to be exactly alike. Maybe if all the first floor windows at 31 are 2/2 with no exterior storms, and the upper floors are 2/2 with storms, the subtle difference may not be noticed by the casual observer. I still think it would be a good idea to see a mock up. …”
Ms. Herbert stated that she went out to the site. She stated that the sample is the same as the awning windows in the garage.
VOTE: Ms. McCrea made a motion to approve the replacement of 17 windows on the first floor (Unit 1) with two over two Marvin Ultimate Double Hung wood windows (wood exterior) with 7/8” muntins and bronze spacer. Exterior muntins to have custom profile to replicate the putty line. Painted to match existing. Ms. Keenan seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
84-86 Derby Street
In continuation of a previous meeting, Ryan and Amber Macione submitted an Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to reroof a brown 3-tab roof with Certainteed Hatteras shingles in either Outer Banks or Stormy Night.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application
- Photographs
- Certainteed Hatteras website information
- Certaineteed brochure with Independence and Hatteras
Mr. Macione stated that Hatteras has more of a reveal.
Ms. Keenan asked if the first floor was a business space.
Mr. Macione replied in the affirmative and stated that it is for lease. He stated that he is proposing charcoal black for the roof. He stated that the major drive is that the roof is wavy and that the main reason for choosing the non traditional 3-tab is to hide the waviness.
Ms. Harper stated that the Independence is not cut on an angle, which is good.
Ms. Herbert stated that she did not realize that Hatteras was 8” exposure. Therefore, it would make an even larger difference.
Ms. Harper stated that she believed Grandslate is also larger than 4”. It is also 8” exposure per the brochure. She noted that Federal Court, which was approved for Grandslate, was a lot taller and lot more of the roof was visible than this building.
Ms. Herbert stated that Grandslate is very close to Hatteras.
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to find that this is an unusual situation in this being a commercial building with a wavy roof. There is a need to be careful when selecting a shingle and this does not set a precedent for other roofs. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Ms. Bellin stated that she did not have a problem with Hatteras, but did have a problem with Independence.
Ms. Harper stated that Independence has a 5” exposure.
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve Hatteras in either Outer Banks or Stormy Night. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
VOTE: Ms. Harper made a motion to approve Independence in Charcoal Black. Ms. Keenan seconded the motion. Ms. Harper and Ms. Keenan voted in favor. Ms. Bellin, Ms. Herbert and Ms. McCrea voted in opposition. The motion did not carry.
14-16 Hodges Court
Gary and Gillian Benton submitted an Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to remove existing wooden entry stairs and wooden handrails and replace them with granite steps and wrought-iron handrails and to remove the fill pipe for an oil tank.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application
- Photographs
- Photoshopped simulation of proposed steps
- Owner’s drawing
Ms. Guy stated that Mr. Hart emailed her and stated that he thought the handrails would need balusters to meet code. Ms. Guy stated that she checked with the Building Inspector and was told that balusters are needed if it is over 30” high and it appears this is over 30” high.
Mr. Benton provided an updated drawing and stated that he went out and photographed some examples of handrails in the district.
Ms. Herbert asked if this is a two-family.
Mr. Benton stated that he believed it was built as two-family, but is now a legal four-family
Ms. Bellin asked if there is a requirement to have the rail extend down to the sidewalk.
Ms. Herbert stated that she understands that since there are so many existing examples that do not extend beyond the step, that the Building Inspector does not enforce it. She stated that she would want the handrail to be metal of a heavy enough gage so as not to be flimsy. She suggested Ray Lawton Welding in Topsfield., noting that he will make a drawing. She suggested continuing the application. She suggested stopping the rail at the top of the stairs and not going to the house.
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to continue the application to the next meeting. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
149 Derby Street
Lloyd Michaud, Jim Sullivan and Sarah Deitrich submitted an Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install a 14” x 14” x 24” roof vent at the center low spot of the flat top roof.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application
- Photographs
- Catalog cut of turbine ventilator
Ms. Guy stated that a Certificate of Non-applicability was issued, conditional that the vent not be visible from the public way. No further action is required
Other Business
15 ½ River St. – request for extension
Ms. Guy stated that she received a request to extend the Certificate of Appropriateness dated December 16, 2010 for one year.
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to grant an extension through December, 2012. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Approval of minutes
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve the minutes of August 17, 2011. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Discussion on changing regular starting time of Commission meetings
Ms. Guy suggested that if the start time is to change, it not be until the November 2, 2011 meeting so as not to disrupt applications already received for the October 5th meeting and to give her time to change the website and related documents.
Ms. McCrea stated that she would not be able to arrive earlier than 7:30 on second Wednesday each month due to another commitment that same night.
Ms. Herbert stated that the Commission could also consider moving to Tuesday or to second and fourth Wednesday
Ms. Guy recommended that the changes not be made for the current membership, as the board make up could change in future. She noted that moving the time earlier than 7:30 is consistent with other boards.
Ms. Guy will check what needs to be done to institute a change in the meeting date and/or time.
Other
Ms. McCrea stated that she went to Mr. Hart’s Urban Renewal Plan working group meeting. She stated that they are not looking for board comments, but people can comment individually for the urban renewal plan update. She stated that if interested, she will email information.
Ms. Herbert stated that she felt changes proposed to be made to Salem’s older buildings need better scrutiny. She stated that excellence in materials and design is needed, and that elements such as utilities need to be disguised.
VOTE: There being no further business, Ms. McCrea 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
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