SALEM HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MINUTES
APRIL 4, 2012
A meeting of the Salem Historical Commission was held on Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at 7:30 pm at 120 Washington Street, Salem, MA. Present were Ms. Herbert, Ms. Keenan, Ms. McCrea, Ms. Harper, Mr. Spang and Mr. Hart.
18 Butler Street
George J. Sands submitted an application to waive the Demolition Delay Ordinance to demolish the house at 18 Butler Street in order to construct a 2 family modular house. Ms. Herbert stated that the applicant has withdrawn his application and that the house is under agreement.
66 & 68 Derby Street
Jay and Neal Levy submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for paint colors and the installation of fencing for the front and side lines.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application
- Photographs
- Paint samples
- Site Plan
- Catalog pages from Walpole Woodworker
Jay Levy stated that the trim will be tan on both houses. The red will be the body color for 66 and the khaki color will be the body color of 68. The doors and fencing will be Verde Green on both.
Neal Levy stated that they did not like the way the wall color was coming out.
Jay Levy stated that it will now be somewhere between the proposed trim color and the body color of 69.
Neal Levy stated that he did not want it too light because the joints will show through. He stated that the darker the color, the less will show.
Jay Levy stated that a lot of the wall will be hidden from view by fencing. He stated that it can only be seen behind 68 when coming down Derby Street.
Ms. Harper asked if the wall is stepped.
Jay Levy replied in the affirmative.
Neal Levy stated that it has a foundation, 4’ down into ground of poured concrete. He stated that part is exposed and there is a block is on top. They will stucco the wall and any exposed part of the foundation.
Ms. Harper asked what kind of cap it will have.
Neal Levy stated that they are just repairing the existing, standard 2” block.
Mr. Hart asked if there is a name for the red color.
Jay Levy stated that the colors are custom made.
Ms. Herbert asked if the colors are on record with Waters and Brown.
Jay Levy replied in the affirmative. He stated that he can get the numbers from the cans and supply them to Ms. Guy.
Mr. Hart stated that he is leery about the effect of the red. He stated that when the sun hits, it may cast a glow.
Ms. Herbert stated that she felt the color is pretty muted.
There was no public comment.
VOTE: Ms. Harper made a motion to approve the colors as submitted. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Jay Levy stated that they are proposing a picket fence for the front of the properties and in between 66 and the existing larger house to block the alleyway. It will be a solid run of fence to the edge of the driveway. There will be a section between the driveway and the walkway. It will pick up at the edge of 68’s driveway. The fencing will be 42” high. The design is shown on Page 23 of the Walpole Woodworkers catalog and they will replicate what is in the photo. It will be capped as shown in the photo and have posts on each end.
Jay Levy stated that the back fence will be a solid good neighbor fence, the same on both sides, with post and cap, which will start at the edge of the wall at 68 and go to corner of the house with a gate on the right side. The A/C units will be behind the fence, which is 6’ high. The fence locations are noted on the site plan. They will also connect the space between two houses with that fence. The 66 side will have a gate adjoining the house to get to the back of the house. There will be a divider that goes from the fence to the back wall at 68. Both parcels to be exclusive and private.
Mr. Hart asked what provisions will they make for sound attenuations for the a/c condensers.
Ms. Herbert stated that they need to be installed by code, which she believed allows for 5 feet from the property line.
Jay Levy stated that, if it becomes a nuisance, the Board of Health and the Building Inspector will come out and check the decibel rating and tell us whether we need to do something or not, such as a sound barrier fence. He stated that as long as it is within the set back area, he does not anticipate a problem.
There was no public comment.
VOTE: Ms. McCrea made a motion to approve the fencing as proposed. Mr. Spang seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Ms. Herbert noted that the condensers will be hidden.
46 Broad Street
Sharon and Erik Drown submitted an application for a Certificate of Non-applicability to replace windows on the back for the house, which are not visible from the public way. They will be Anderson 400 series double hung in wood. Also submitted was an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install a 3” x 2” vent in the roof for the new bathroom and laundry, in PVC, which can be painted black. The application is also to add 5 Velux skylights and replace one. One will be 21 ½” x 27 3/8”, two will be 30 9/16” x 38 3/5” and three will be 23 ¼” x 46 ¼”. The application is also to install two condensers for the new heating system in the side yard, dark grey.
Documents & Exhibits
- Applications
- Photographs
- Plan of 3rd floor completed by DesignCrossover 2/27/12
- Roof plan completed by DesignCrossover 3/27/12
- Velux USA Catalog pages
VOTE: Mr. Spang made a motion to approve the window application as submitted under Non-Applicability. Mr. Hart seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Mr. Drown provided a revised roof plan.
Mr. Hart asked if there was already a vent there.
Mr. Drown replied in the affirmative. He stated that they will be installing one 3” vent and one 2” vent. The 2” vent will be essentially next to the existing vent. The 3” vent will be behind the dormer and not be visible.
There was no public comment on the vents.
VOTE: Mr. Hart made a motion to approve the vents as submitted. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Mr. Drown provide photos of similar skylights in the district. He stated that there is a building about 8-10 feet away next door and that when the tree blooms, there is limited visibility. They will install one skylight on either side of the current skylight. One will be installed at the back of roof and one in front. The skylight indicated as “E” on the plan will not be visible. He stated that they have a need for natural light. The skylights will be all fixed on the right side, not operable and will be clear glass. He stated that after speaking with Ms. Guy when he initially submitted the plan, he talked with his architect and scaled down the size of the skylights.
Mr. Hart noted that the visual aspects are much diminished from the original plan.
Ms. McCrea asked if the clear glass will get hot.
Mr. Drown stated that they will put in a sliding shade. He stated that, luckily, that side of the house does not get a lot of sun, with tree and house next door.
There was no public comment.
VOTE: Ms. McCrea made a motion to approve the skylights per the revised plan. Mr. Spang seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Mr. Down stated that the condensers will be on the driveway side of the house and will meet setbacks. They will be about 7 ½ feet from the property line, located in the shaded area in back. He stated that one will be tucked behind the bay. The locations are noted as “X” on the plan. He stated that they are using condensers because they currently have oil and want gas. He stated that to switch to baseboard is too expensive, therefore the most logical switch to gas is by having central air. It will not be cooling the whole house, just cooling floors.
VOTE: Ms. McCrea made a motion to approve the condensers as submitted. Ms. Keenan seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
60 Derby Street
Gina Atwood submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install a railing on the front stairs. The railing will be wrought iron similar to the photograph supplied, but for the two steps and landing. It will be installed on the left side of the granite steps, drilled in to the granite and secured with a mortar product.
Documents & Exhibits
Ms. Herbert asked if it will be railing only on one side.
Ms. Atwood replied in the affirmative and noted that the VA requires the railing in order to fund the loan.
Ms. Herbert asked if it has to have all balusters. She stated that the picture looks a little 1950s.
Ms. Atwood stated that she did not know the answer, but stated that they tried to come up with a solution that looks historical.
Ms. Herbert stated that Hamilton hall is a good example, and suggested they check with the Building Inspector. She stated that she feels less is more and it should be kept really simple. She suggested having a single square newel post on the first step with a continuous top rail which fashions to the house with a fleur de lis escutcheon.
Mr. Hart stated that depending on the height, the maximum is 4” between balusters. He stated that he felt it was worthwhile checking with the Building Inspector to see what they require. He noted that Julius Blum, Inc. has railing components.
Ms. Herbert suggested approval a railing similar to 5 Chestnut Street, subject to Building Inspector approval if it needs any additional balusters.
VOTE: Ms. McCrea made a motion to install a wrought iron railing on the left of the front stair to replicate the railing on 5 Chestnut Street, subject to the addition of balusters if required by the Building Inspector per Building Code for 2-step entry stairs. Mr. Hart seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
192 Federal Street
Pamela Waldron submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install a fence to close off a section of the rear yard. It will extend from the house to the existing rear lot line fence. The proposed fence style will be Colonial per photo submitted, composed of wood.
Documents & Exhibits
Ms. Herbert asked if the fence will be a capped flatboard cedar fence.
Ms. Waldron replied in the affirmative.
Ms. Herbert asked if it will be painted.
Ms. Waldron replied in the negative and stated that it will weather.
Ms. Herbert asked if it will be 6’ high.
Ms. Waldron replied in the affirmative.
Ms. Herbert stated that it should have a square cap.
There was no public comment.
VOTE: Ms. McCrea made a motion to approve a fence to enclose the yard in the back of the house, running from the rear, driveway side corner of the house straight back to the rear lot line fence. The fence design is to be colonial (per photo submitted), cedar, flatboard, capped, unpainted with square cap on posts. Mr. Hart seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
24 Warren Street
Richard Jagolta submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to reroof using black architectural shingles.
Documents & Exhibits
The applicant provided a roof shingle sample.
Ms. Herbert noted that it is curved, which is the kind the Commission does not like.
Mr. Jagolta stated that he went on the GAF website and that the 3-tab they describe is considered basic protection. He stated that it is really thin and flimsy. He stated that the architectural shingle weighs twice as much and will hold up better.
Ms. Herbert stated that while the Commission hasn’t approved the slanted, the roof design might accommodate that shape.
Mr. Hart stated that somehow the structure previously got roofed with architectural shingles.
Mr. Jagolta stated that the roof was done when he bought the house in 1993.
Mr. Hart noted that the architectural shingles did not even last 20 years. He noted that a 30 year 3 tab is available.
Mr. Jagolta stated that he has photographs of other houses in the McIntire that have architectural shingles. He stated that, with the mansard, he feel it is appropriate.
Ms. Herbert agreed that this particular roof may lend itself to that shape.
Mr. Jagolta stated that a little bit of the roof was done a few weeks ago, which he thought was all set to go while he was away.
Ms. Harper asked if there were architectural shingles on the roof before they started this project.
Mr. Jagolta replied in the affirmative.
Ms. Herbert noted that it will be a little different color and a little different shape than what is there now.
The new shingle is GAF Timberline in black.
Ms. Herbert stated that she liked it, and personally had no problem with it.
Mr. Hart stated that he will abstain.
Ms. Keenan and Ms. McCrea stated that they thought it was fine.
Mr. Spang stated that he had no problem with the proposed.
There was no public comment.
VOTE: Ms. McCrea made a motion to approve the application as submitted with GAF Timberline black architectural shingles. Ms. Keenan seconded the motion. Ms. Herbert, Ms. Harper, Ms. Keenan, Ms. McCrea and Mr. Spang voted in favor. Mr. Hart abstained. The motion so carried.
8 Beckford Street
Clair and John Cassella submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace the right side gutter and metal belt with 16 oz copper gutter and new 16 oz copper belt course. They will remove and reset slate as needed. The gutter extends the entire side to the back of the house. It will be OG gutter, custom fabricated. The application is also to replace a bay window roof with a fully adhered rubber roof with copper edge and for four dormer valleys to be renewed with 16oz copper.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application
- Photographs
- J. B. Kidney quotation
Mr. Cassella stated that the existing gutter was improperly installed. They will replace the strip of metal there now with copper.
Mr. Hart asked if it will be standing seam.
Mr. Cassella stated that it will be flat.
VOTE: Mr. Hart made a motion to approve the gutter replacement with copper and the belt course with locked seam copper. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Mr. Hart stated that the bay roof can barely be seen.
Mr. Cassella stated that it is on the driveway side.
Ms. Cassella stated that they are changing it from shingles due to water damage.
Mr. Hart suggested giving the applicant the option of rubber or copper roof.
VOTE: Mr. Hart made a motion to approve the bay window roof replacement with either rubber or copper with a copper edge. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Mr. Hart recommended they explore the possibility of 20 oz rather than 16 oz for the exposed valleys. He stated that they get a lot of wear and they will last longer.
VOTE: Mr. Hart made a motion to approve the renewal of the four dormer valleys with either 16 or 20 oz copper. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Other Business
VOTE: Ms. McCrea made a motion to approve the minutes of March 7, 2012. Ms. Keenan seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Ms. Guy stated that she received a copy of a letter from Massachusetts Historical Commission to the MBTA concerning the Salem Commuter Rail Station Improvements Project, which requested that the Salem Historical Commission and Historic Salem, Inc. be provided with a copy of the PNF. It also requested additional information including design drawings and colored renderings, including vantage points from the Federal Street Historic District.
City Councillor Josh Turiel stated that the turntable was found with sonar. He stated that the State wants to see what of significance they can salvage.
Mr. Hart stated that Historic Salem, Inc. will likely write a letter asking them to reuse the signal tower in some fashion.
Ms. Herbert stated that for HSI’s preservation awards, Hannah Diozzi is going to nominate the First Baptist church. She noted that the downspouts have been painted white against brownstone. She stated that she felt it was a blemish on a great job.
Mr. Hart agreed it is very prominent.
Ms. Herbert noted that the beach tree was never planted, and that the tulip tree planted around the side was planted too deep and therefore it probably won’t do well.
Mr. Spang stated that the job is done and that the only way to require changes now is to have a commitment letter in hand of what they said they would do.
VOTE: There being no further business, Ms. McCrea made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Spang 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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