SALEM HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MINUTES
November 5, 2014
A meeting of the Salem Historical Commission was held on Wednesday, November 5, 2014 at 7:00 pm at 120 Washington Street, Salem, MA. Present were Jessica Herbert (Chair), Kathy Harper (Vice Chair), Laurie Bellin, David Hart, Susan Keenan, and Joanne McCrea.
2 Botts Court
Mary and Stan Usovicz submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to construct a bike shed. The shed would mimick the design of the existing shed with the exception of the wood storage section. It would be painted to match the existing shed.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application:
- Photographs:
Ms. Herbert stated that the applicant was unable to attend tonight’s meeting and has requested a continuance.
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve the application, as submitted. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
115 Derby Street (Retire Becket House)
The House of the Seven Gables Settlement Association submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace the roof rake boards, gutters and downspouts. The intent of the owner is to interpret the exterior of the house to its appearance in the second quarter of the 20th century following its renovation to function as a tea house when it had a wood shingle roof. The work includes the following:
- The existing deteriorated cement-asbestos roof shingles, will be replaced with wood shingles.
- The deteriorated rake boards will be replaced with new single rake boards 5 ½” wide with square edges (i.e. not beaded) set on the existing blocking that keeps them slightly proud of the clapboards.
- New copper base flashings interwoven with the singles will be installed.
- Any deteriorated clapboards that die into the gable rakes will be replaced, as necessary.
- A wood gutter and downspouts will be installed on the rear façade to match the ones on the front of the ell.
Kevin White was present.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application: 10/7/14
- Photographs: 10/7/14
- Historical photographs
Mr. White stated that Spanish cedar Perfection 18” shingles will be utilized.
Ms. Herbert asked if the Fire Marshall has any additional requirements besides the treated shingles.
Mr. White responded that the ICC and MA building code only call for treated shingles.
There was no public comment.
Mr. Hart asked for clarification that the shingles will be wood, the flashings will be copper LCC, and the gutters will be copper lined wood.
Mr. White responded in the affirmative. The downspouts will be wood surrounding copper downspouts.
VOTE: Mr. Hart made a motion to approve the application, as submitted. Ms. Bellin seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
115 Derby Street (Hawthorne Birthplace)
The House of the Seven Gables Settlement Association submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace the roof singles, rake boards, gutters and downspouts with a wood shingle roof and related details that are similar to the shingles on the hosue in late 19th century photogrpahs. The upper roof pitches have a 1:3 slope, which is marginal for wood shingles unless special provisions are taken. The minimize the risk of leaks, an ice and water shield membrane will be installed over the entire upper pitch sheathing surface, and the shignles will be installed at 4” to the weather rather than 5”. The underlayment for the shingles will be 30lb felts on the roof sheathing on the lower pictures and Ice and Water Shield over the entire surface of the uppoer pitches, then “Cedar Breather”
mesh to ventilate the underside of the shignles, followed by fire retardance treated “Perfection Blue Label” West Red Cedar shigneles. A band of Ice and Water Shield will be installed along the eaves of the lower pitches.
The cornice returns at the side gable facades are finished with flat boards rather than the crown moldings visible in the historic photographs. The proposed work will restore the returns with crown moldings matching the front cornice as shown in the historic photographs.
The gable rake boards currently have moldings ont hem with modern profiles that are in poor condition. New moldings of period-typical 18th century ogee profile will be installed on new base rake boards.
Copper base flashings and 4lb lead counter flashings will be installed around the central chimney. A roof hatch will be installed to access the roof. The hatch will have limited visibility from the ground.
Kevin White was present.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application: 10/7/14
- Photographs: 10/7/14
- Historical photographs
Mr. White stated that one notable detail in this application is that they would like to reconstruct the cornice return.
There was no public comment.
Mr. Hart asked for clarification that the roof with be red cedar with copper lcc or lead flashings, the gutters with be wood with copper lining and the downspouts will be copper surrounded by wood.
Mr. White responded in the affirmative.
VOTE: Mr. Hart made a motion to accept the application as submitted. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
18 Washington Square West
The Hawthorne Hotel submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to modify the hotel’s main entrance for universal accessibility. The changes include the installation of a new ramped entrance to replace the existing temporary ramp, a lowered sidewalk, curb cut, and new handrails and planters along the ramp.
John Goff and Juli Lederhaus were present.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application: 10/20/14
- Photographs: 10/20/14
- Drawings
- Rendering
Mr. Goff stated that they are proposing to make the main entrance accessible. The hotel was built in the 1920s. The issue is that there is currently a makeshift ramp that conceals a step, plus there is no hand rail along the sides of the ramp. This proposal mitigates this issue by making one continuous ramp from the current doorway to the street. The planters would be constructed out of stone.
Ms. Herbert asked if there will be any signage.
Rob Park, Salem resident and disability advocate, stated that he is a frequent visitor of the Hawthorne Hotel. The project was initiated by Juli and he has personally almost tipped his wheel chair coming out of the hotel in the winter. He is an enthusiastic supporter. He will look into whether signage is required for the entrance.
Ms. Bellin asked if the other entrances will also be made accessible.
Ms. Lederhaus responded that they would like to make the other entrances accessible at some point. However, at this time they are implementing just the main entrance. She added that the front entrance is the main point of arrival for visitors. Typically, the people who need the easier access are coming from the front.
Mr. Hart asked about the Commission’s jurisdiction, given that some of this work is at grade level.
Ms. Herbert responded that any work that is at grade is outside the jurisdiction of the Commission. The Commission has jurisdiction to review the planters and railing.
Ms. Harper added that the removal of the step would also be within the Commission’s purview.
Mr. Hart stated that he is concerned that the ramp extends into crosswalk.
Ms. Lederhaus stated that on the Essex Street side they currently have a curb dip and they know that it works.
Ms. Bellin asked if the design would remain the same if the curb cut is not allowed.
Mr. Goff responded that he does not think it would.
Mr. Goff stated that the railing will be black wrought iron. The spacing of the balusters is based off of the second story balustrade. The planters will be stepped up granite planters.
Ms. Herbert suggested that fewer balusters would make it look less busy and allow the planters to be more visible.
Rob Park spoke in support of the application. He would like to see the project approved so that the work can be completed.
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve the removal of the ramp and underlying stair and the planter design and curbing. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to continue discussion of the railing design. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
29 Washington Square North
The John Bertram House Trustees submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace the existing 5’ high board fence with a 7’ 6” high flat board and lattice fence to screen the new HVAC units from view.
Richard Griffin was present.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application: 10/16/14
- Photographs: 10/16/14
Mr. Griffin stated that the surrounding fences and the trim are white which is why the proposed fence is white. He has considered a stain for the fence. The height of the fence will be as high as necessary to hide the equipment.
Ms. Harper asked if the fence will continue for the entire length of the fence.
Mr. Griffin stated that the higher height will be for just 30’ and then it will drop down to the existing lower fence.
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve the 7’6” fence with lattice top, painted white. Mr. Hart seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
125 Derby Street
As a continuation of the previous meeting, the Derby Street Condo Association submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace a rear wood gutter with an aluminum gutter. The gutter is limitedly visible from Derby Street. It is located on the back of the home and wraps around the right corner.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application: 9/18/14
- Photographs: 9/16/14
The applicants were not present.
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to continue the application. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
Community Preservation Plan
As a continuation of a previous meeting, the Historical Commission was asked to review the existing Community Preservation Plan and to submit any comments for the annual plan update. The deadline for comments is November 20.
Ms. Herbert stated that Ms. Lovett drafted a letter to the Community Preservation Committee, to which the Commission can add comments.
Ms. Bellin recommended edits to the second paragraph.
Ms. Herbert asked Ms. McCrea if there were any comments that she had regarding the plan.
Ms. McCrea stated that she didn’t know of any additional buildings to be funded.
Ms. Herbert suggest that a worthy project for CPA may be to match the historic plaque cost, if it is an eligible cost.
Ms. McCrea stated that the Commission could submit that application for the next round of funding.
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve the letter, as edited. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
Other Business
Correspondence
Ms. Herbert reminded the Commission members of the training for Open Meeting Law being held on Saturday from 10-12pm.
Mr. Hart stated that he had a conversation with a resident with who has a wooden shingle roof. The resident was told by a City employee that they needed an estimate from a contractor for the cost why they can’t replace the wooden roof. Ms. Herbert stated that the Commission is not supposed to consider costs. Ms. Lovett stated that she spoke with that applicant and recommended that they bring to the meeting a contractor evaluation of the condition of the roof, not an estimate.
Mr. Hart gave a summary of his trop to Quebec City where the Rice Building’s double wooden windows were removed, full rehabbed, and then replaced. The building has more than 100 windows. He stated that it is a great example of preserving original windows.
Ms. Lovett gave updates on the Common Fence and Preservation Plan project. A contractor has been hired to complete Phase II of the Common Fence restoration. This work will begin in the next month or so. The Preservation Plan project is also underway. The consultant, Community Opportunities Group, will be giving a presentation to the Commission at a future meeting.
VOTE: There being no further business, Ms. McCrea 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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