SALEM HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MINUTES
October 16, 2013
A meeting of the Salem Historical Commission was held on Wednes-day, October 16, 2013 at 7:00 pm at 120 Washington Street, Salem, MA. Present were Jessica Herbert (Chair), Kathy Harper (Vice Chair), Laurie Bellin, Chad Garner, David Hart, and Susan Keenan. Joanne McCrea arrived late.
13 Beckford Street
Michael and Karen Williamson submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for approval of exterior paint colors. The proposed colors are:
Body- BM Woodstock Tan (HC-20)
Trim- BM Crownsville Gray (HC-106)
Accent- BM Hadley Red (HC- 65)
Michael and Karen Williamson were present.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application: 9/23/13
- Photographs
- Paint chips
- Rendering
Ms. Herbert stated that she liked the color scheme but had a suggestion for the accent color use. The surround above the outer 2nd floor windows shouldn’t be painted with the accent color unless that color is also picked up in the pediments below on the first floor. It would be typical to choose just one architectural detail to paint with the accent color. For example, the storm windows may have the accent color.
Mr. Williamson clarified that it would be appropriate to paint the top curved area with the trim color.
Ms. Herbert responded in the affirmative. She continued that you if you only painted the area below the pediments, the house would have a polkadot look. New England painted ladies were historically more toned down than the San Francisco painted ladies. You want to highlight like areas.
Mr. Hart agreed with Ms. Herbert’s comments. One option would be to paint the hoods in the same colors.
Ms. Herbert asked if they planned to paint the fence the trim color.
Mr. Williamson responded in the affirmative.
There was no public comment.
MOTION: Ms. Bellin made a motion to accept colors as submitted. Mr. Hart seconded the motion.
Mr. Hart stated that he would amend the motion to state that the Owner will treat the window hoods in the same fashion.
Ms. Herbert stated that they could paint the shadow area around the hoods, but no the trim around the windows or the rosettes. Alternatively, the accent color could be used on all of the architectural details: pediments, trim around the windows and rosettes.
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to a accept the amendment. Mr. Hart seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
372 Essex Street
Nancy Tracy, on behalf of the Trustees of the Salem Public Library, submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to paint the recently replaced wooden perimeter fence. The proposed color for the fence is Martha Stewart Living Avocado Peel (MSL 140). Nancy Tracy was present.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application: 9/26/13
- Photographs
- Paint chip
Ms. Herbert stated that she likes the color selection.
Mr. Hart asked if the iron fence is painted black.
Ms. Tracy responded in the affirmative
There was no public comment.
VOTE: Mr. Hart made a motion to accept the application as presented. Ms. Bellin seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
33 Carlton Street
Wendy Walsh submitted an application for a Certificate of Non-Applicability to repair the brick around the doorway. The brick was recently revealed after removing the wooden door surround. The repair work will entail repointing, brick replacement, and brick cleaning.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application:
- Photographs:
Ms. Herbert stated that the applicant was unable to attend the meeting and requested a continuance.
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to continue the application to the next meeting. Ms. Kennan seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
173 Federal Street
Gianna Della Monica submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to add four (4) peaked cap pediments above the 1st floor windows. The size of the pediments is 67 ½” W x 72” OW x 24 ½” H x 3 1/8” P. The pitch is 6/12. The pediments will be made out of pine and would be painted to match the existing trim color. Gianna Della Monica was present. William Brooking.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application: 9/25/13
- Photographs
- Pediment Specification
Ms. Herbert asked what year the house was built.
Ms. Della Monica responded that she believes the house was built in 1850.
Ms. Herbert asked when the entryway was added.
Ms. Della Monica responded that she was unsure of the date for the entryway. It was built before they bought the house.
Mr. Brooking added that there is plaster on the inside on the entryway indicating that it has been there for many years.
Mr. Hart stated that the application shows 67” wide pediment.
Ms. Della Monica responded that the dimensions of the pediment are not correct, but the shape and pitch will be the same.
Ms. Mccrea arrived at this time.
Ms. Herbert stated that it is difficult to tell if the vestibule was added to the house or is original. One of the problems with recreating the historic feel of a house is you almost need to take the house down to the bones to see what was original. When so many changes have been made it is difficult to know what is appropriate.
Ms. Della Monica stated that other houses on the street have the pediments and they look nice.
Ms. Herbert responded that the pediments are nice, but there are also different kinds of pediments. Some are part of the molding, while some project forward. One thing about this house is that the architecture is plainer. It doesn’t currently have corner boards or water tables, which some of the other houses have.
Mr. Brooking stated that there are corner boards underneath the siding. He noticed them when they were insulating the house.
Ms. Herbert stated that it would be ideal to restore the house to its original historic look by removing the shingles and restoring the corner boards and water table if there was one. Then they could investigate adding additional details to the house.
Mr. Hart stated that on the survey form the house is dated as 1803. He believes that the house would have had corner boards and a water table. Also, the relationship of the window head to the eve is close. He feels the addition of pediments deserves a little more study to see what is stylistically appropriate, though.
Ms. Herbert adds that the pediments are more typical of Greek Revivial (1850). If the house was built in 1800, it likely would not have had the pediments and may not have had the portico. It would have been a very plain building.
The public commenting period was opened.
Ken Wallis, 172 Federal Street, asked how they would water proof the house if they added the pediments. If the flashing is not done correctly, water may infiltrate and the paint could start peeling. He doesn’t want to see the house deteriorate.
Dan Beauvais stated that on 1800s homes that he has worked on, he has not typically seen pediments over the windows.
VOTE: Mr. Hart made a motion to continue the application in order to allow time for the applicant to prepare an architectural drawing to scale showing the existing elevation, an elevation with the pediments added, and to address the concern raised by the public for flashing over the window. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
38 Flint Street
Sheri Rosenzweig submitted two applications for Certificates of Appropriateness to replace basement windows and rebuilt two entryway steps and landings.
Basement window replacement
Five (5) basement windows will be replaced. The proposed window is a Harvey vinyl hopper window. The window is 16.5” x 29.25” and will be white.
New brick entryways
The existing steps and landings will be demolished. The new steps will be constructed out of brick and the landing and treads will be granite. The existing railings will be reused, if possible. The brick type will be “Glen Gary.”
Sheri Rosenzweig and Dan Beauvais, of Beauvais Builders, were present.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application:
- Photographs:
Mr. Beauvais stated that they considered repairing the existing brick but that type of brick is no longer available.
Ms. Herbert stated that the railings appear salvageable.
Mr. Beauvais responded that they plan to reuse the railings. He showed the Commission a picture of what the bricks will look like. The flaming of the bricks create a scallop look along the front.
Mr. Hart asked if the risers will be brick.
Mr. Beauvais responded in the affirmative. He added that the steps will be freestanding from the house.
Mr. Beauvais stated that the basement windows are not visible from the street. They are currently hidden by a bush. The appearance will be nearly identical. The current windows are inoperable. They are proposing vinyl windows because the windows are set in concrete. The only other option would be pressure treated wood.
There was no public comment.
VOTE: Mr. Hart made a motion to accept the application as submitted. Ms. Bellin seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
Community Preservation Committee Guidelines
The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is requesting input from various City boards and commissions regarding the development of a CPA Plan. It is requested that the Commission develop a consensus on a list of survey questions and submit its comments to Jane Guy, in the Department of Planning and Community Development, by noon on Friday, November 22nd.
Documents & Exhibits
- Overview and Implementation Guide
- CPA sample success stories across Massachusetts,
- Examples of evaluation criteria from other communities
- Survey questions
- Taxpayer Information Guide.~
Ms. Herbert suggested that the Commission members review the information included in the packet and come to the next meeting with their thoughts and suggestions.
VOTE: Mr. Garner made a motion to continue the discussion to the next meeting. Ms. Bellin seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
Other Business
Approval of Minutes
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve the minutes from 6/26/13. Ms. Mccrea seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried. Mr. Hart abstained from the vote.
Correspondence
Ms. Lovett stated that the SHC was included on a mailing of the Footprint Power Salem Harbor Development LP’s Application for a Certificate of Environmental Impact and Public Interest. The application is being filed by Footprint with the Energy Facilities Siting Board on October 11, 2013. No action is required by the SHC regarding the application unless the SHC wishes to intervene in the Siting Board proceeding.
Ms. Lovett stated that she asked Andrew Shapiro, the City’s Economic Development Planner, about the boarded up palladium window at Old Town Hall. Mr. Shapiro was recently hired, but looked into the Old Town Hall files. Gordon College had recently applied for a Cultural Facilities grant, but did not receive the grant because it was found to not be a qualified applicant. Thomas Daniel, the previous Economic Development Manager, had left a note stating that the window should be included in the FY14 Capital Improvement Project budget, however that did not happen.
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,
Natalie BL Lovett
Community Development Planner
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