SALEM HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MINUTES
May 21, 2014
A meeting of the Salem Historical Commission was held on Wednesday, May 21, 2014 at 7:00 pm at 120 Washington Street, Salem, MA. Present were Jessica Herbert (Chair), Kathy Harper (Vice Chair), David Hart, Susan Keenan, Joanne McCrea, and Jane Turiel.
44 Derby Street
John Crawford submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to paint the exterior of the house with a medium gray with light gray trim and a white or light gray founding. The application also includes a proposal to construct a fence at the back of the house.
John Crawford was present.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application: 4/30/14
- Photographs: 4/30/14
- Paint chips
Ms. Harper recused herself, as an abutter to an abutter, and moved to the audience.
Mr. Crawford submitted to the Commission paint chip samples for the exterior house colors. He stated that the doors are going to remain the existing color for the time being. The existing fence is the neighbor’s fence. They will be removing the fence and replacing it with a standard 6’ fence.
Ms. Herbert stated that they have not submitted details on the type of fence they are proposing. The stockade fence was probably installed prior to Derby Street becoming a historic district and would not be approved now. The fence on the other side of the property (flat board with a rail on the top) is one that could possibly be approved. The height of 6’ would be OK. The posts should be on the house side so that the good side is along the street. She added that fences with integral posts are not typically approved.
There was no public comment.
VOTE: Ms. Turiel made a motion to approve the replacement of the existing fence with a 6’ flat board capped fence in cedar; exterior paint colors body: Bold Backdrop (G-1) and trim: Little’s Landmark (F-1), as submitted. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
Ms. Harper returned to the table.
330 Essex Street
Melanie Griffin submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for in-kind repairs to and replacement of the wooden gutters and crown molding. The application also include alterations to the downspouts. The aluminum drainpipe along the west side of the hosue will be replaced with a new gutter that extends to the ground. The copper downspouts on the east side of the house will be replaced with a new aluminum downspout.
Melanie Griffin was present.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application: 4/30/14
- Photographs: 4/30/14
Ms. Griffin stated that on the western side of the house the crown molding is rotting and pulling away. They will be replacing what is deteriorated beyond repair. The copper downspout is on the eastern side of the house and runs down along the white trim. There also a downspout along the western side of the house that empties out on the roofline. They are proposing to extend this downspout to the ground. The downspouts on the eastern edge will be painted to match the trim. The downspout on the western side runs down the body of the house. She asked what color this downspout should be.
Ms. Herbert responded that typically the downspouts are approved to match the house colors that they are against. The downspout along the body, should be painted to match the body color.
Mr. Hart asked for clarification on a piece of the scope of work that mentions a PVC downspout.
Ms. Griffin stated that there will not be PVC. All of the downspouts will be aluminum.
There was no public comment.
VOTE: Mr. Hart made a motion to approve the replacement in-kind of the aluminum gutters and crown molding. The downspout on the west side will be painted to match the house color. The downspout on the east side will be painted to match the trim. Ms. Turiel seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
310 Lafayette Street
Ken and Monica Leisey submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to:
- Add two direct vents under the stairs for a new hot water tank and the basement HVAC unit. The vents will be white and located behind existing landscaping so they are not viewable from Lafayette Street.
- Replace the current air conditioning condenser unit with two condenser units sitting side by side. These units will be located behind the current shrubs on the side of the house. Additional landscaping will be added to ensure concealment.
- Removal of the rear chimney.
- Install a direct vent for the attic HVAC unit through the roof at the current location of the rear chimney. The exhaust pipe and pipe flashing will be painted flat black. The exhaust stack will not be visible from Lafayette Street.
- Repair decorative railing above the front bay window to match the ori9ginal railing and spindles. The railing will be painted white to match the house.
Ken Leisey, Monica Leisey, and Leland Hussey, their contractor, were present.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application: 5/5/14
- Photographs: May 2014
- Drawings: May 2014
Mr. Hart stated that that the rear chimney is barely visible from the street. While ordinarily he would not vote in support of the removal of important architectural features, in this case he would be OK.
Ms. Harper agreed. While it is a pretty chimney, it is barely visible from the street.
Mr. Spang asked if the railing is an original detail.
Ms. Leisey responded in the affirmative. You do not notice the railing now, because most of it is missing. There are earlier pictures that show the railing intact.
Ms. Herbert stated that this is a Queen Anne style house. The railing could be original or there may have been a railing with a different style.
Ms. Turiel stated that it would be nice for the Commission to have on file a picture of the full front of the house.
There was no public comment.
VOTE: Ms. Turiel made a motion to approve the application, as submitted. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
180a Federal Street
Alexa Ogno submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install a chimney cap on the front chimney, remove the rear chimney, install three (3) skylights, replace the side door, replace the basement windows, paint the front door, and install a kick plate.
Alexa Ogno and Leland Hussey, her contractor, were present.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application: 5/5/14
- Photographs: 5/5/14
- Skylight specifications
Ms. Herbert asked for clarification on whether the basement window facing the street would be vinyl and whether it would be blocked by shrubbery.
Mr. Hussey stated that they are proposing vinyl for all of the basement windows. The frames will remain intact and the vinyl windows will be made to fit within. They will be hopper windows.
Ms. Herbert stated that the chimney is not very visible from the public way. She asked for the reason why they are proposing removal.
Ms. Ogno stated that the chimney does not service anything and runs through the middle of a room that would otherwise be much more usable.
Mr. Hussey discussed the front door condition. The door is currently warped. They are planning to straighten the door and then add a kick plate.
Ms. Ogno discussed the front chimney work. She would like to install a metal cap on the front chimney similar to the one included in the application. The cap goes is only up when in use.
Mr. Spang asked for clarification on how visible will the skylights will be and details on the profile
Mr. Hussey responded that Velux is making very low profile skylights. The flashing that will be seen from the street will be bronze aluminum. The skylight will be set off the roof by approximately 4 ½”.
Ms. Ogno stated that she would like the skylights to be operable.
Mr. Hart stated that that side of the roof is mostly blocked from view by a tree.
Mr. Hussey discussed the side door replacement. The proposed door is a fiberglass door with an arched top window. The door frame will be removed and the trim will be reinstalled to match the existing.
Ms. Ogno added that the door will be painted to match the front door. The back door will also be painted to match the other doors.
Ms. Harper returned to the basement window discussion. She stated that the Commission always prefers wood along the front of the house. If there is vinyl, she would want to see an evergreen blocking it from view.
Mr. Hussey stated that the window trim will be painted in kind prior to the storm window being installed.
Ms. Herbert asked for public comment.
Ken and Joyce Wallis, 172 Federal Street, spoke in favor of the application.
MOTION: Mr. Spang made a motion to approve A. the chimney cap on front chimney, cap to match the photo, low profile paint black; B. Remove hardly visible rear chimney; C. Install three operable skylights with dark bronze reveal about 4 ½-5” high; D. Replace side door to match photo, door to be painted to match the existing front door color; E. Replace the basement window sashes only, frames to remain. The front basement window will be wood and the remainder of the windows vinyl; F. Paint the front door strapping black and added kick plate painted to match the existing door.
Mr. Hussey specified that the side door will be a Velux model number 2234.
VOTE: Ms. Turiel seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
42 Chestnut Street
Ken Harris submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace an existing fence that runs along the left side of the property. The existing fence is wooden and approximately 4’ tall. The new fence would also be wooden and 4’ tall. A picture of the proposed fence design shows a flat board fence with spacing between the pickets, top rail, and pyramidal caps.
Ken Harris was present.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application: 5/5/14
- Photographs: 5/5/14
- Picture of the proposed fence design
Mr. Harris presented to the Commission paint chip samples for the fence stain. The neighbors would like the fence to be stained a dark blue/gray. They would prefer the Glidden Soaring Eagle color (10D/15/154). The fence runs along the property line. The posts would be capped with pyramidal caps. The house to the right recently had a fence put in, the pyramidal caps would match theirs.
Mr. Spang stated that the spacing of the boards does not feel consistent with other fencing approved in the historic districts. Typically, the spacing would be ¾” to 1.”
Ms. Herbert stated that they could approve the design based on the fence at 31 Chestnut St.
Ms. Lovett left the room to retrieve the file for 31 Chestnut St.
Ms. Herbert stated that the fence at 31 Chestnut Street is 3 ½” pickets with ¾” spacing. She asked for clarification that the fence would be 4’ high
Mr. Harris responded in the affirmative. He asked if the Commission would consider 1” spacing. They will be growing plants along the fence and the extra space will allow the plants to breath.
Mr. Spang stated that the house is a blue-ish color. The fence color is usually either a contrasting color or a color similar to the house color. If they want the fence to be blue, the color of the house may be preferable. He added that the fence could also be stained to match the existing neighbors fence.
Ken Harris responded that that would be acceptable.
VOTE: Ms. Harper made a motion to approve a 4’ high fence with 3 ½” wide pickets with 3/4” to 1” spacing, flat board capped with pyramidal post caps. Painted to match the neighbors existing fence. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
40 Highland Ave
As part of the Section 106 Review process, EBI Consulting submitted plans for a new telecommunications facility. EBI Consulting asked that the Commission comment on whether the proposed project would have a potential effect on historic properties.
Documents & Exhibits
- Cover letter: 5/12/14
- Drawings: 2/3/14
Mr. Spang stated that according the drawings, most of the antennae and equipment is existing. They are proposing to add two new antennae.
Ms. McCrea stated that the Commission could request that any obsolete apparatus could be removed.
Ms. Herbert added that they should consolidate and eliminate where possible.
VOTE: Mr. Hart made a motion to submit a letter with the discussed comments. Ms. Keenan seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
Other Business
Discussion and Review of Application Process
Ms. Herbert discussed with the Commission her thoughts on having applicants submit photographs of their completed work in order to ensure compliance with their certificate. This stems from the Lafayette Street application, whether the Commission became aware of a number of properties that were approved for 3-tab and then installed architectural shingles.
The Commission discussed the application process and details regarding a checklist to include with the application.
Correspondence
The Commission received a letter from the Massachusetts Historical Commission to the City of Salem requesting additional information regarding the Grove Street project.
VOTE: There being no further business, Ms. McCrea made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Turiel seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Natalie BL Lovett
Community Development Planner
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