SALEM HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 5, 2012
A meeting of the Salem Historical Commission was held on Wednesday, September 5, 2012 at 7:30 pm at 120 Washington Street, Salem, MA. Present were Ms. Herbert, Ms. Harper, Ms. Bellin, Mr. Spang and Mr. Hart.
Ms. Keenan and Ms. McCrea arrived later in the meeting.
318 Essex Street
The Peabody Essex Museum submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to change the portico roof from steel to copper.
Documents & Exhibits
Robert Monk apologized for not applying sooner. He stated that he did not realize it was visible from Federal Court and jumped the gun. He stated that they found remnants of copper underneath the galvanized steel. They will use sheet copper and it will be painted.
Ms. Keenan joined the meeting at this time.
Mr. Monk stated that they will also replace the copper flashing detail.
Ms. Herbert asked if they will replace the missing balustrade at a later date.
Mr. Monk stated that he would love to at some point. He noted that they are working on the interior and then in the long term plan they intend to replace the balustrade along with the laundry yard fence and the trellis.
Ms. Bellin asked the color the copper will be painted.
Mr. Monk stated that the trim on top of the bay window will be white to match what was existing. There was aluminized paint on the roof, so it will read white. The copper has already been installed on the roof.
Ms. Bellin questioned the use of copper if it is going to be painted.
Mr. Monk stated that the technique was done quite a bit historically. He noted that the original copper gutters on the Marine Hall were painted. He added that if it looks like aluminum, there might be less temptation to steel the copper.
Mr. Hart stated that raw copper will oxidize to green and that many times it washes off and bleeds onto house, which may be why it was painted.
VOTE: Mr. Hart made a motion to approve the application as submitted. Ms. Bellin seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
356 Essex Street
In continuation of a previous meeting, Nick Nowak and Amy and Jeremy Jones submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to repair the front porch, replace porch floor and stairs with 1 x 4 cambara mahogany and stain, replace railing with round balusters to match existing on gate, replace newel post with on that has a cap and paint balusters, handrail, newel post and risers to match existing trim.
Documents & Exhibits
Ms. Guy stated that she received an email requesting a continuance to the meeting of October 3rd.
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to continue the application to October 3rd. Mr. Spang seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
6 Carpenter Street
Michael Chefitz and Robyn Frost submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to remove a non-working chimney in the rear of the house.
Documents & Exhibits
Ms. McCrea joined the meeting at this time.
Mr. Chefitz stated that the chimney furthest back is the one proposed for removal. He stated that they are having some foundation work done in the back. The contractor will need to lift the house up and the contractor states that there is a chance that the chimney will fall down. They will not be putting anything back on the roof.
Mr. Spang asked if they will patch the roof with matching shingles.
Mr. Chefitz replied in the affirmative.
Ms. Herbert stated that she thought it was an odd place to have a chimney.
Mr. Hart stated that it is a gambrel house with additions. He noted that this is one of the additions and that the Secretary of the Interior Standards say that accretions added to house should be respected. He stated that he feels it is a minor architectural element and noted that they will still have the two main chimneys.
Ms. Herbert noted that it sits on the ledge and felt it is awkward.
Mr. Hart stated that, in the best of worlds it would be nice to keep, but he has no burning desire to say it should be saved. He noted that it is not an original element to the main house.
VOTE: 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.
14 Broad Street
Ellen & Jeremy Schill submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to add a mudroom vestibule to replace the existing side entrance. Clapboards and trim will match existing structure. Rectangular window to be re-used from existing structure. Size of vestibule will be 5’ x 10’. Examples of similar side entrances on Colonial homes are 8 Broad Street, 134 Carpenter Street, 78 Federal Street and the Peirce-Nichols House on Federal Street.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application
- Photographs
- Sketches of existing and proposed
Ms. Guy stated that she received an email requesting a continuance to the meeting of September 19th.
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to continue the application to the meeting of September 19th. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Other Business
Review/comment on submittal by BL Companies for proposed antenna collocation at the intersection of Derby and Lafayette Streets
Ms. Guy stated that she emailed the additional information provided as a result of the letter the Commission issued on 8/2/12, which asked several questions.
Ms. Harper stated that she feels the installation photos provided are different than what they are proposing.
Mr. Hart agreed it is a different installation.
Ms. Bellin stated that the collocation on Congress Street is on an existing pole and that the one on Lafayette Street looks like an existing pole.
Mr. Hart stated that Ward Street looks like a new pole.
Ms. Herbert stated that Derby Street is pretty clear of poles. Stating that this is needed because National Grid will no longer allow antenna attachments to these types of poles sets bad precedent. She stated that she felt they should put pressure on National Grid.
Ms. Keenan stated that the City is trying to get rid of poles. She stated that she is not accepting the reason of bad cell reception in that area.
Mr. Hart stated that he felt it should be put on the Metcom building.
Ms. Bellin asked if the nearby poles are owned by the City or National Grid. She stated that if they are owned by the city, it should be allowed on an existing pole.
Mr. Hart felt the proposal would be setting bad precedent.
Ms. Herbert noted that it is set in from the curb in an awkward spot.
Ms. Bellin stated that it may cause handicapped accessibility issues.
Mr. McCrea stated that the comment letter should cc the city council.
Ms. Herbert questioned why the City Council is approving this type of thing.
Comments:
- Visually degrades historic and the architectural elements of the area
- The City has been making an effort to reduce the number of poles, for visual reasons, access reasons, and aesthetic reasons.
- It is strongly recommended that
- the proponent investigate alternatives such as installation on the existing building (Metcom) or fire station.
- Determine whether the existing lampposts are owned by the city or National Grid and pursue approval for installation on existing or alternative pole (if not lamppost)
- Very concerned that it will sets precedent
- Cc – City Council, Planning Board and Salem Redevelopment Authority
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to send comment letter with these points. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Correspondence
Ms. Guy stated that she received a letter dated 8/20/12 from Massachusetts Historical Commission to the MBTA regarding the Salem Intermodal Station Project Intensive Archaeological Survey/Site Examination requesting additional information.
Minutes
Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve the minutes of August 1, 2012. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Meeting time discussion
Ms. Guy proposed that the Commission change its regular meeting time from 7:30 to 7:00 beginning with the meeting of October 3, 2012.
Mr. Hart made a motion to change the Commission’s regular meeting time from 7:30 to 7:00 beginning with the meeting of October 3, 2012. Ms. Bellin seconded the motion. Ms. Herbert, Ms. Harper, Ms. Bellin, Ms. Keen and Mr. Hart voted in favor. Ms. McCrea and Mr. Spang abstained from voting. The motion so carried.
Salem Harbor Station
Ms. Guy stated that she went to the Footprint scooping session. The Environmental Notification Form (ENF) has been issued and there will be an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The plant is scheduled for shut down in May, 2014, which will be followed by demolition. After construction of the new plant, it will open up 40-42 acres for other redevelopment.
Ms. Guy stated that there are four large projects in the planning stages that will be coming before the Commission for comments and/or demolition delay – Registry of Deeds Building, PEM expansion, power plant and MBTA garage. She noted that no Commission members attended the initial meeting for the Registry of Deeds where alternatives had been initially discussed. No one from the Commission attended the power plant scoping session . The Commission also had no design comments on the MBTA garage project which has had a few public meetings. She suggested that the Commission get up to date and involved in these projects early to determine if anyone has any historic-related issues so as to avoid an similar problems encountered with the St. Joseph’s Church project.
VOTE: 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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