SALEM HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MINUTES
August 7, 2013
A meeting of the Salem Historical Commission was held on Wednesday, August 7, 2013 at 7:00 pm at 120 Washington Street, Salem, MA. Present were Kathy Harper (Vice Chair), Laurie Bellin, Chad Garner, David Hart, and Jane Turiel. Jessica Herbert (Chair) and Susan Keenan arrived late.
356 Essex Street
Nick Nowak and Amy & Jeremy Jones submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to repaint their house. The body and trim of the house will remain the existing color. The porch balusters and newel post will be painted to match the existing trim. The handrail and doors will be painted Benjamin Moore Black. Mary Whitney was present.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application: 7/6/13
- Photographs: 7/6/13
Ms. Whitney stated that there is a Greek Revival home in Cambridge that they are modeling the colors after.
Mr. Hart asked if the siding is being replaced.
Ms. Whitney responded in the negative. The neighbor is replacing their siding.
Ms. Bellin asked for clarification that the handrail and bottom rail would be painted black.
Ms. Whitney responded in the affirmative.
There was no public comment.
VOTE: Mr. Garner made a motion to approve the application as presented. Mr. Hart seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
259 Lafayette Street
Elysia Cappellucci & Michael Whalen submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install two (2) exterior exhaust vents for 4” ventilation ducts. One duct will be to ventilate the cooking range hood exhaust from the kitchen. The other duct will be to ventilate moisture from the bathroom. The proposed vent is approximately 7x7.875” louver style and will be painted to match the exterior of the house. Michael Whalen was present.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application: 7/5/13
- Photographs: 7/5/13
Ms. Bellin asked if the picture shows the vents to scale.
Mr. Whalen responded that the picture is not quite to scale.
Ms. Bellin asked for the size of the shingles.
Mr. Whalen responded that they are approximately 11” exposed.
Mr. Hart stated that the vents will not be located on the major façade.
There was no public comment.
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve the application as submitted.Mr. Hart seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
357 Essex Street
Christina Bash, Robert Bash & Doris Szybiak submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace an existing 50 foot fence and gate with a flat board fence. The existing fence is a stockade style fence. The proposed fence will match the neighbor’s fence along Hamilton Street. Teegan von Burn and Robert Bash and Christina Bash were present.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application: 7/22/13
- Photographs: 7/22/13
- Drawing: 7/22/13
Ms. Herbert and Ms. Keenan arrived at this time.
Ms. Von Burn stated that they are planning to use the same fence company and fence style as their neighbors.
Ms. Harper asked for the finish of the fence.
Ms. Von Burn responded that the fence would be unfinished cedar.
Ms. Harper asked for the height of the fence.
Ms. Von Burn responded that the fence will be 6 feet high. The neighbors fence is also 6 feet.
Mr. Hart asked for clarification on the finish: clear finish or weathered.
Mr. Bash responded that it would be weathered.
Mr. Hart asked if red or white cedar would be used.
Mr. Bash responded that they would be using white cedar.
Mr. Hart stated that typically a fence is installed with the good side to neighbor.
Ms. Von Burn responded that was there plan.
There was no public comment.
VOTE: Ms. Turiel made a motion to approve the application as submitted. Mr. Hart seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
114 Derby Street
The House of Seven Gables Settlement Association submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace the existing deteriorated casement windows on the 1970s addition with new simulated divided lite, dual glazed door windows with an aluminum clad exterior. The trim and casings will match the existing. The flat trim/cornice board will carry the line of the original building’s cornice line. John Seger and Kevin White were present.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application: 7/22/13
- Photographs: 7/22/13
Mr. Seger stated that the proposal is for replacement awning window on the top and for the casement windows to be replaced with double hung 6/6. This section of the building is probably a 1970’s addition. The proposed windows are vinyl clad with wood interior. There will be a sill at the bottom of the window. They would like to paint the wood sill a buff color to match the trim around the porch and front portico. The type of window is a Pella 450 series.
Mr. White stated that the existing sills are finger jointed.
Ms. Harper asked if the replacement windows will have a removable or fixed grill.
Mr. Seger responded that he believes the grill is affixed in the factory, but can be removed.
Ms. Herbert stated that the worry is if one window’s grill falls off, it won’t be replaced. She wondered if the grill could be permanently affixed.
Mr. Seger responded that he believes they are pretty well affixed.
Ms. Herbert asked for clarification on whether work on the trim board, along the top of the building, will be part of this project.
Mr. Seger responded that they do not believe they will be completing that work at this time.
Ms. Herbert clarified that they will just be seeking approve for the windows at this time.
Mr. Seger responded in the affirmative. Given the project’s budget, it is unlikely they will be able to update the siding.
Ms. Herbert stated that vinyl clad windows are not typically approved in the historical districts. Given the setback of the building, perhaps it could be OK in this situation.
Ms. Harper stated that she feels the building is fairly close to the street.
Ms. Bellin asked if aluminum clad windows are available.
Mr. Seger responded in the affirmative, but he is not sure that the material change will make a difference with how it appears from the street.
Ms. Herbert stated that vinyl does not hold paint as well as wood does, and it is typically a lesser quality than a wood window. She asked what type of window is there currently.
Mr. White responded that they currently have wood windows.
Ms. Bellin asked if the Historical Commission has allowed aluminum clad windows in some cases, but not vinyl.
Ms. Herbert responded in the affirmative.
Mr. Hart stated that he looks at the proposal from a position of it being a 1970’s addition with single pane casement windows. He doesn’t believe the Historical Commission should hold the building to the same standards as earlier architecture. He doesn’t have any major objections to the proposal but it is a 1970s addition. He does feel as though approval of a vinyl or aluminum clad window would be limited to these specific circumstances.
Mr. White stated that maintenance is a major concern. The building is currently utilized as a school building. He has no objection to wood windows per se but would like the Commission to consider that the structure is a 1970s building in need of updating.
Ms. Harper stated that she would prefer to see aluminum over vinyl. Ideally, she would like to see what’s there replaced in-kind. If the replacement is going to be a simulated divided light window, then she would prefer the aluminum.
Ms. Bellin stated that she would be OK with either material, given that the façade is removed from the street. The new windows will look much better and it is a 1970s addition. She would feel comfortable giving them an option.
Mr. Seger stated that they would like the muntins to be 9/16”. Marvin makes the 9/16” muntin, Pella doesn’t appear to.
Ms. Bellin asked if the windows will be white
Mr. Seger responded in the affirmative and the trim will be buff.
Mr. Hart stated that Marvin and Pella both have an aluminum clad windows.
Ms. Harper stated that given the style of the addition, she feels that maybe single lite double glaze windows would be more appropriate.
Mr. Seger stated that there is not much to the building. Adding the grills gives it more of a cozy feel that relates to the attached building.
Mr. Hart respectfully disagrees with Ms. Harper. He has no objection to the 6/6. It seems to fit better with the overall façade.
Ms. Herbert states that without the muntins, the building appears cheapened. If the façade was being updated and it was going look more modern then the 1/1 would fit.
MOTION: Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve Marvin windows with 9/16” muntins, 6/6 double hung window, and 6- lite for the awning windows with the option of vinyl or aluminum exterior clad. Ms. Turiel seconded the motion.
Mr. Hart stated that the Commission should include language in the motion that this is a special case of a 1970’s clapboard building facing the street but removed from the street.
VOTE: Ms. Bellin amended her previous motion to include Mr. Hart’s comment. Ms. Turiel seconded the motion. Six member were in favor (Ms. Herbert, Ms. Bellin, Mr. Hart, Ms. Keenan, Mr. Garner, and Ms. Turiel), one (Ms. Harper) was opposed. The motion so carried with a 6-1 vote in favor.
Other Business
Salem Intermodal Station
In accordance with the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), dated 11/28/12, executed between the MBTA and the MHC with the City of Salem and Historic Salem Inc. as Concurring parties, the MBTA submitted to the Historical Commission 90% design plans for the Salem Intermodal Station Project. The package also included a Construction Management Plan (CMP), compiled by Consigli, for the Salem Railroad Signal Tower. The Commission was asked to submit any comments on the plans and CMP to the MBTA.
Documents & Exhibits
- Cover letter: 7/24/13
- Plans: 7/16/13
- Historic Construction Management Plan: 7/17/13
Ms. Lovett stated that she requested further information on the masonry specifications, but has not yet received them. As a result, the commission continued the discussion to the following meeting.
Letter of Support for the North Shore CDC’s MA Historic Preservation Tax Credit Application
Ms. Lovett stated that the North Shore Community Development Corporation has requested a letter of support from the Historical Commission in support of their application to the Massachusetts Historical Commission for Massachusetts Historic Preservation Tax Credits. This letter of support is identical to one previously approved by the Commission several months ago.
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve the letter of support. Ms. Keenan seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve the minutes of June 26, 2013. Mr. Garner seconded the motion. Five members were in favor (Ms. Herbert, Ms. Bellin, Ms. Keenan, Mr. Garner, and Ms. Harper), two members ( Mr. Hart and Ms. Turiel) abstained from the vote. The motion so carried with a 5-0 vote in favor.
VOTE: There being no further business, Ms. Bellin made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Harper seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Natalie BL Lovett
Community Development Planner
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