SALEM HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MINUTES
September 17, 2014
A meeting of the Salem Historical Commission was held on Wednesday, September 17, 2014 at 7:00 pm at 120 Washington Street, Salem, MA. Present were Jessica Herbert (Chair), Laurie Bellin, Susan Keenan, Joanne McCrea, Larry Spang, and Jane Turiel.
370 Essex Street
The Trustees of the Salem Public Library submitted an application for a Certificate of Non-Applicability to install a temporary project sign, in the dimensions 4’x4’. The sign is a requirement of the Community Preservation Act funding for their roof replacement project. The sign will be located in front of the building, to the left of the main entry door. It will be installed for approximately 3-5 weeks.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application: 9/12/14
- Photographs
- Sign specifications
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve the application, as submitted. Ms. Turiel seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
8 Gifford Court
As a continuation of the previous meeting, Robin O’Neil & Shirley Walker submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to remove the asphalt shingle siding and repair and repaint the underlying clapboards. The application was continued so that the applicant could submit additional information on the existing trim work underneath the siding.
Robin O’Neil was present.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application: 8/14/14
- Photographs: 9/15/14
Ms. O’Neil stated that there is a skirt board on the front and on one side. On the back and the other side where there are porches, the clapboards extend down to the brick. There was a house a few doors down where the corner boards were replaced after removing a synthetic siding. Her contractor would be doing the same thing.
Mr. Spang stated that the pictures are difficult to tell if it is clapboards or sheathing underneath the asphalt.
Ms. O’Neil responded that along the back of the house she removed a large portion in the back and it is clapboards, which appear to be in good condition. Once the contractor removes the asphalt, he will be better able to determine what repair work needs to be completed. There is a gap between the clapboards and the skirt board in the front of the house. The contractor may install a larger skirt board to close the gap.
Ms. Herbert stated that the skirt board should be anywhere from 6-8” depending on the house. She suggested that the applicant only have the house stripped and then have the contractor detail the repair work to the clapboards. She added that the reason there is a gap between the skirt board and the clapboards may be that there was at one time a lip detail.
Mr. Spang advised the applicant on how the contractor should judge the original width of the corner and skirt board by using the existing clapboards as a guide.
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to remove the asphalt and continue the remainder of the application to the next meeting. Ms. Turiel seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve the Non-applicable in-kind repair work to the clapboards. Ms. Turiel seconded the motion. All were in favor, were opposed, and the motion so carried.
117 Federal Street
Stephen Duguay and Kathleen Riley submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install double-glazed, true divided light windows along the front façade of the building. The window will be a Pella Architect Series. This type of window has already been installed along the rear addition and on the side windows.
Stephen Duguay was present.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application: 8/25/14
- Photographs: 8/25/14
Ms. Herbert asked if the windows in the back were also replaced with the Pella double glazed windows.
Mr. Duguay responded in the affirmative.
Ms. Herbert asked if the glass divider for the existing windows is silver or bronze.
Mr. Duguay responded that the divider is silver.
There was no public comment.
VOTE: Ms. Mccrea made a motion to approve the application as submitted. Ms. Turiel seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
342 Essex Street
David and Sharon Williams submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace the fence at the rear of their property. The existing fence is deteriorated. The replacement fence will match the existing fence that runs along the side of the property. It will be a flat board fence with a top cap and integrated posts.
David and Sharon Williams were present.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application: 9/2/14
- Photographs: 9/2/14
Mr. Williams stated that Richard Griffin recently installed the adjacent neighbor’s fence. They were planning to match the fence from Beckett Street to the corner of the property. The new fence will be drilled into the neighbor’s existing post. The fence will be left to age naturally. The fence is difficult to see from the public way because there are plantings in front of it.
There was no public comment.
VOTE: Ms. McCrea made a motion to approve the application, as submitted. Ms. Keenan seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
Marblehead Pipeline Replacement Project
In accordance with the Section 106 review process, an archaeological reconnaissance survey prepared by David S. Robinson & Associates was completed for the Marblehead Pipeline Replacement Project. The conclusion of the three phases of the marine archaeological reconnaissance survey is that there is no evidence of the presence of cultural materials within the Area of Potential Effect.
Ms. Lovett read an email from Rachel Burckardt, Parson Brinckerhoff, requesting concurrence of the reviewing agencies and The Tribes that the project be constructed in accordance with the plans and profiles as submitted and that the Federal Permit be issued to allow construction to commence as soon as possible.
VOTE: Ms. Keenan made a motion to defer to the Massachusetts Historical Commission for the project. Ms. Mccrea seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
Salem Lateral Project
Ms. Lovett read an email from Gregory Dubell, Public Archaeology Laboratory (PAL), inquiring about whether the Commission has any additional comments regarding the cultural resources reports and acoustic studies related to the Salem Lateral Project. The Commission is a commenting party on the project as part of the Section 106 review.
VOTE: Ms. McCrea made a motion to respond to PAL that the Commission has no further comment. Ms. Turiel seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
Other Business
Approval of Minutes
VOTE: Ms. McCrea made a motion to approval the minutes of 8/6/14 with comments. Mr. Spang seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
Correspondence
Ms. Lovett notified the Commission that the Point Neighborhood National Registration nomination was reviewed and recommended for approval by the Massachusetts Historical Commission.
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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