SALEM HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MINUTES
June 3, 2015
A meeting of the Salem Historical Commission was held on Wednesday, June 3, 2015 at 7:00 pm at 120 Washington Street, Salem, MA. Present were Jessica Herbert (Chair), Kathy Harper (Vice Chair), Laurie Bellin, David Hart, Joanne McCrea, and Larry Spang.
Ms. Keenan arrived later in the meeting.
347 Essex Street
Ellen & Steven Gallagher submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to repaint their house. The proposed colors are:
Body: SW Wall Street
Trim: SW Rushing River
Ellen Gallagher was present.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application: 5/9/15
- Photographs: 5/9/15
Ms. Gallagher stated that she would like to proposed different colors than those submitted with the application. She proposed the color Sogi White for both the body and trim. The accent color would be green/black. They would like to refinish the door in a mahogany color.
Ms. Keenan arrived at this time.
Ms. Herbert noted that the door is likely walnut.
Ms. Gallagher stated that they think the monochromatic color will be brighter than the originally proposed color.
Ms. McCrea asked if the entire house is clapboard.
Ms. Gallagher responded in the affirmative.
There was no public comment.
MOTION: Ms. McCrea made a motion to approve the application as presented with the option to keep the door natural or paint the door green/black. Ms. Bellin seconded the motion.
Mr. Hart stated that a Victorian era house from the 1880s would not typically have been monochromatic. He suggested that the owner consult with Historic New England on the colors that would be historically accurate.
Ms. Bellin asked how long the house had been its existing color.
Ms. Gallagher responded that it had been 8 years. The house was previously a light gray color.
VOTE: All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
161 Federal Street
Dan Botwinik (161 Federal Street, LLC) submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for proposed exterior improvements to the former Saint James Rectory. The project includes renovations associated with a new residential use. The project will include:
- Repair and repaint (same colors as existing) the exterior wood clapboard siding
- Remove the bulkhead at the west elevation
- Retain and repair the existing wood windows and doors
- Restore the windows along the east elevation to their original configuration
- Adjust the rear (south elevation) recessed entrance to accommodate exterior access to the basement level
- Replace missing or damaged slates from the roof with in-kind materials
- Replaced the existing skylights with new skylights of the same approximate size and in the same general locations
- Addition of a roof dormer to the rear (south) slope of the hip roof to provide adequate clearance at the attic level.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application submitted 4/21/15
- Photographs
- Existing and proposed elevations
- Architectural drawings
Ms. Lovett stated that the applicant has requested that the application be continued to the next meeting.
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to continue the application to the 6/17/15 meeting. Mr. Hart seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
125 Derby Street
125 Derby Street Condo Association submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace the wooden gutters on the northeast and southwest sides of the building with identical wooden gutters, painted to match the existing scheme. The only proposed change would be to remove the rear section of gutter between the building and the adjacent house on Hardy Street. From Derby Street the end caps would be visible where the existing side gutters meet the rear gutter and the missing rear gutter.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application: 5/4/15
- Photographs: 5/4/15
The applicant was not present.
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to continue the application to the next meeting. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
142 Derby Street
Daniel Crowther, Derby Joe, submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install a wall and hanging signs for his business, Derby Joe. The wall sign will be 55.83” x 20” and the hanging with will be 36”x 30” and hung off of an existing hanger.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application: 5/19/15
- Photographs: 5/19/15
- Drawing of proposed sign
The applicant was not present.
Ms. Lovett noted that Andrew Shapiro, the Economic Development Planner, reviewed the application and it meets the dimensional requirements of the sign ordinance.
MOTION: Ms. Bellin made a motion to continue the application to the next meeting. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion.
Mr. Hart requested additional information on the existing conditions
Ms. Bellin added that she would also like addition information on the materials being used.
VOTE: Ms. Bellin amended her motion. Mr. Hart seconded. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
Community Preservation Committee – Representative Appointment
Ms. Lovett stated that at the last meeting the Commission voted to have Ms. McCrea be the Historical Commission’s Community Preservation Committee representative for a period of 2 years. However, the term should have been 3 years.
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to appoint Ms. McCrea as the Historical Commission representative on the Community Preservation Committee. Ms. Keenan seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
217 Essex Street – Section 106 Review
In accordance to the Section 106 review process, EBI Consulting requested comments from the Commission on whether a proposed telecommunications facility at 217 Essex Street will have a potential effect to historic properties.
Documents & Exhibits
- Engineer drawings
- Renderings of proposed antennae
- Photographs
Susan Arena, Architectural Historian for EBI Consulting, and Attorney Christopher Swiniarski, were present on behalf of the project proponent.
Atty. Swiniarski summarized the history of the project’s review by the Historical Commission. He stated that during the previous summer the project was reviewed by the Commission. The project was concurrently reviewed by the Salem Redevelopment Authority. The DRB approved a modified plan, however the Commission had received a different plan.
Atty. Swiniarski continued to state that the original plan included the addition of several antennae to the building utilizing both flush mounts and a faux chimney enclosure. Through the SRA’s Design Review Board, the faux chimney was removed from the design as the concern was that it would standout too much. The drawings before the Commission now show this revision.
Mr. Hart stated that the roofline is semi obscured by vegetation from Front Street.
Atty. Swiniarski added that there will be supporting equipment located in the basement of the building and on the rooftop of the adjacent building. The new antennae will be lower than the antennae currently located on the rooftop.
Mr. Spang asked if the generator has an acoustical enclosure.
Atty. Swiniarski responded that he was unsure whether there is an acoustical enclosure, however it does meet noise requirements.
Ms. Herbert stated that a concern of the Commission’s is decommissioned antennae not being removed from the roof.
Atty. Swiniarski stated that the lease agreements usually require the antennae to be removed after they are no longer in use.
Ms. Arena stated that it is possible that the wireless companies are hesitant to remove the antennae and give up their spot on the roof.
Ms. Arena stated that the proposed antennae will not be visible from Essex Street. The generator on the lower flat roof should also not be visible.
Mr. Spang asked for clarification on the Commission’s jurisdiction in reviewing Section 106 projects.
Ms. Herbert responded that the Commission cannot disallow the antennae. They can, however, make recommendations to the Massachusetts Historical Commission as to how the proponent can minimize the visual effects of the antennae.
Mr. Spang asked if the antennae could be pushed back toward the center of the building.
Ms. Arena responded that the antennae would have to be higher to keep the signal from hitting the building parapet.
Mr. Spang clarified that the steel frame being added to the rooftop is due to the slant of the roof and the presence of the parapet.
Ms. Arena stated that the previous plans showing the faux chimney had the antennae 3’ higher and the antennae moved toward the center of the building. The Design Review Board did not like the chimney because of the massing of the equipment.
Atty. Swiniarski added that the DRB also requested that the antennae be a dark gray rather than the color of the other antennae on the building.
VOTE: Mr. Hart made a motion to submit a comment letter stating that with all due respect to the DRB and SRA, the Commission respectfully requests that the option of a large chimney within which all of the antennae equipment would be concealed should be considered. The flush mounted antennae are acceptable, as presented. Ms. Bellin seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
95 Federal Street Unit #4
Jo Fladges submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to remove three existing skylights and replace them with new Velux skylights. There will be no change in size or dimensions of the skylights.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application: 5/18/15
- Photographs: 5/18/15
The applicant was not present.
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to continue the application to the next meeting. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
Other Business
McCrea gave the Commission a summary of the projects that were approved by the Community Preservation Committee and their funding amounts.
Ms. Herbert stated that her and Ms. Harper were copied on an email from resident Deborah Prentiss regarding the new trash barrels that will be used once Waste Management takes over the trash contract. Ms. Prentiss’ concern is that the trash barrels are so large and some of the neighborhoods are so tight that it will be difficult to conceal the barrels.
Ms. Harper added that the letter discusses how there are many small households where these trash barrels will be much too large. Ms. Harper stated that on the plus side, you do not have barrels rolling around the street during trash day. Ms. Herbert and Ms. Harper asked if the Commission would like to comment on the visual effect of the barrel colors. More muted colors would be more appropriate in the historic districts. They also wonder if each household could request an appropriate sized barrel for their needs.
Ms. Herbert stated that she will send the email to the Commission members and they can discuss it further at the next meeting.
Approval of Minutes
VOTE: Mr. Spang made a motion to approve the minutes of 5/6/2015 with comments. Ms. Keenan seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried. Ms. Bellin abstained.
Correspondence
There was no correspondence
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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