SALEM HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MINUTES
March 5, 2014
A meeting of the Salem Historical Commission was held on Wednesday, March 5, 2014 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 Natalie Lovett. Ms. Keenan arrived late.
6 Monroe Street
Roger Tyler submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install a 10 foot long x 5 foot tall fence along the north side of the house. The fence will be composed of 1”x4” vertical cedar boards with 5”x5” cedar posts with pyramidal caps. The design includes a 32” opening with a short 20” section to the left of the opening. The fence will be stained white. The new fence will replace the existing 11’ long basket weave design fence, and will be set back approximately 14” from the existing. Roger Tyler was present.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application: 1/6/14
- Photographs: 1/16/14
- Site plan
Mr. Hart asked if there was going to be a gate.
Mr. Tyler responded that he would apply for a gate at a future meeting.
Ms. Herbert stated that in order to incorporate a gate, he may want to widen the opening from 32” to 36.”
There was no public comment.
VOTE: Mr. Hart made a motion to approve the application with the provision that the opening may be 32” or 36” wide. Ms. Bellin seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
19 Fowler Street
Charles Bean submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace the front door and threshold. The threshold will be composed of oak wood. The door will be a 4 panel wood door. The application also includes the restoration of the side lights. The side lights will be composed of pine wood and will have 5 lights. The entryway at 20-22 Fowler Street is being used as a guide for this repair/restoration work. Charles Bean and Susan Linder-Bean were present.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application: 2/11/14
- Photographs: 2/11/14
- Door Specification
- Entryway dimensions
Ms. Linder-Bean stated that sidelights are currently just plywood. They are looking to restore the sidelights.
Ms. Herbert asked why the door would be replaced verses restored.
Mr. Bean replied that the door is leaking, and they think the door may have been taken from a different house.
There was no public comment.
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve the application as submitted. Mr. Garner seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
70-92 ½ Boston Street
DHM Realty Trust submitted an application for a Waiver of the Demolition Delay ordinance to demolish the structures associated with the vacant Flynntan site. The demolition is associated with a comprehensive redevelopment of the site. A portion of the concrete block and brick (circa 1900) building along Boston Street will be incorporated into the proposed site redevelopment. The remainder of the structures will be razed. Bob Griffin was present.
Mr. Garner stated that he would be recusing himself as an abutter and moved to the audience.
Ms. Keenan arrived at this time.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application: 2/20/14
- Photographs: 2/11/14
- Drawings: 1/29/14
- Renderings
Ms. Herbert read into the record a letter of support for the waiver of demolition delay from Historic Salem, Inc.
Mr. Griffin presented the application to the Commission on behalf of the applicant. He stated that the Pediatric Associates of Greater Salem would like to redevelop the site. They looked into reusing the buildings, however they have found that will not be possible as the buildings were originally designed for an industrial use. They plan to reuse only the foundation of the brick and concrete building located along Boston Street. He stated that the architect for the redevelopment is Perkins + Will (Boston, MA).
Mr. Hart asked if there are plans and elevations of the existing buildings.
Mr. Griffin responded that they do not have architectural drawings of the interior but they have existing conditions plans and pictures.
The public commenting period was opened.
Chad Garner, 69 Boston Street, spoke as an abutter in favor of the redevelopment.
VOTE: Mr. Hart made a motion to approve the application with the proviso that the applicant will submit for the historical record:
- color digital photograph of both buildings,
- color photographs of the interior, and
- drawings of the existing conditions.
Ms. Bellin seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
Mr. Garner returned to the table.
MBTA Repair/Rehabilitation of the Beverly Draw Bridge
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), in cooperation with the Federal Transit Administration, is proposing to repair/rehabilitate the Beverly draw Bridge. As part of the review of the project, PAL conducted an historic and archaeological resource assessment. The MBTA would like to Commission’s concurrence that the project will have no adverse effect on any historic resources. Holly Palmgren, MBTA, and Adie Kim, consultant, were present.
Documents & Exhibits
- Request for Letter of Concurrence
- PAL Assessment
Mr. Hart stated that he was a principal of the architecture firm McGinley Hart in 1980s, which had contracts with the MBTA for bridge evaluations, but was not involved in this evaluation.
Ms. Palmgren summarized that the project is FTA funded and they are responsible for complying with the Section 106 Process. The project is partially in Salem and partially in Beverly. In the 1980s the bridge was surveyed and determined not eligible for listing on the National Register. The survey recently completed by PAL still found the bridge to not be eligible for the National Register. There was one potentially eligible historic resource within the APE, but it is not within the construction area. The MBTA is looking for a concurrence from the local historic commission on PAL’s findings that 1) the bridge is still not eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places and 2) that there is no negative impact from the project on the potentially eligible historic resource located within the APE. They
will then send this information to MHC as part of the Section 106 Review process.
Ms. Harper asked if the bridge was going to be the same design, just with new materials.
Ms. Kim responded in the affirmative. She clarified that only the approach trestle is located in Salem and the swing span and pivot pier is in Beverly. In 1985, there was a fire and the wooden trestles were rebuilt with concrete. Most of the work involves the substructures that are in contact with the sea water: rip rap replacement, piers, and pile repairs. Of the 179 piles approximately 109 piles are being repaired. Some of those piles are located in Salem.
There was no public comment.
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to provide a letter concurring with the determination of PAL. Mr. Garner seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
Salem Probate and Family Court Renovation/Addition
In accordance with Stipulation 6 of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between DCAM and MHC, DCAM submitted a 60% design drawing package to the Commission, as an interested party under the MOA. The package includes site plans, exterior elevations and a site plan details. Thee elevations are the same as were presented to members of the Commission at a previous meeting.
Documents & Exhibits
- 60% Design Drawings
- Renderings
Mr. Hart stated that the applicant showed some aerial renderings and it would be helpful to see street view renderings of the aerial on page A2-04 of the drawings.
Ms. Herbert stated that at the 1/28/14 DCAM meeting she attended they said they proposed moving some of the decorative woodwork from the 2nd floor to the new areas, and she felt that the original antique woodwork should stay in place and be replicated for the new areas rather than reinstalled in those new areas. Additionally, six trees were planned to be installed in the front of the building, and because of their proximity to the adjacent parking spaces she hoped that the trees would not be damaged and fail. Lastly, they are doing work to screen the mechanicals on the roof. That was an issue of concern with the new court house. A comment to DCAM may be that they would like to see the mechanicals as screened as possible.
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve the draft letter with comments. Mr. Garner seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
Salem Common Fence
The City of Salem requested a letter of support from the Commission for their grant application to the Massachusetts Historical Commission to complete a second phase of restoration to the cast iron fence.
Ms. Lovett submitted a draft letter to the Commission members to review.
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve the letter of support. Mr. Garner seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
Other Business
Correspondence
Ms. Lovett reminded the Commission of the joint FERC and EFSB public hearing for the Salem Lateral Pipeline project. The pipeline will run through a portion of the Derby Street Local Historic District. She encouraged one or more of the members to attend the meeting.
Ms. Herbert spoke with the Commission members about general meeting policies and procedures, and opened discussion for Commission members to discuss any issues or concerns they might have.
Ms. Harper gave a report on an upcoming application to the Commission to remove, restore, and reinstall the eagle on top of the Hamilton Hall roof.
Ms. Bellin asked if there was still an opportunity for a site visit to the Turbine Hall at the Powerplant site.
Ms. Herbert asked that Ms. Lovett coordinate the site visit.
VOTE: There being no further business, Ms. Keenan made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Bellin seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Natalie BL Lovett
Community Development Planner
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