SALEM HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MINUTES
May 6, 2015
A meeting of the Salem Historical Commission was held on Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at 7:00 pm at 120 Washington Street, Salem, MA. Present were Jessica Herbert (Chair), Kathy Harper, David Hart, Larry Spang, Joanne McCrea and Susan Keenan.
Arriving later in the meeting was Laurie Bellin.
122 Federal Street
Meg Twohey and Darrow Lebovici submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to reconstruct existing fence and posts with the same materials and paint color, located between the Lynn Street corner and the entryway to the walkway on Federal Street. The only design change proposed is to add a cap to the reconstructed portion of fence and on the small section of fence to the right of the entry (which does not need to be replaced). The proposed cap will be identical to the cap added to other sections previously approved.
Darrow Lebovici was present.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application submitted 4/1/15
- Photographs
Mr. Lebovici stated that, in March, Northside Carting backed into the fence and crushed it. He wants to replace the fence and add the cap that is on the rest of the fencing that was approved several years ago in the back along Lynn Street. He also wants to add the cap on the little section to the right of the gate.
Mr. Spang asked if it is a different fence type.
Mr. Lebovici stated that they are all picket fences; the difference is that the tops of the pickets were lopped and the cap was added.
Mr. Spang asked if they will replace the little piece of fence to match or just add a cap.
Mr. Lebovici stated that they are proposing to put the cap on without replacing the fence; if the contractor can’t, they will replace that section.
Mr. Spang asked if the post will stay the same.
Mr. Lebovici replied in the affirmative.
MOTION/VOTE: Ms. McCrea made a motion to approve replacement of fence located between Lynn Street corner and entry to walkway on Federal Street to replicate existing with the exception that a cap will be added to match the cap existing on other fence sections of the property and addition of cap to the small section of fence to the right of entry (replace section in kind if needed). Ms. Keenan seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
53 Summer Street
Chris and Stacey Norkun submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace and repair failed roof on the main and secondary structure (barn). The proposal is for either GAF Timberline HD Lifetime architectural style shingles or Slateline in Antique Slate or Camelot II in either Antique Slate or Charcoal. The application is also to re-flash both chimneys and skylight, repair skylight as needed and repair sidewalls and remove/reattach clapboard as needed.
Stacey Norkun was present.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application submitted 4/13/15
- Photographs
- Coastal Windows & Exteriors, Inc. Roofing Contract dated 3/31/15
- GAF Timberline catalog
Ms. Norkun stated that after chatting with Ms. Guy, she realized architectural is not preferred by the Commission and that Slateline has been approved in the past. They are proposing Antique Slate, which is the closest color to what is on the roof now. She stated that she was told by contractors that it has the least amount of contrast.
Mr. Spang asked if the skylight repairs will be visible,
Ms. Norkun stated that it is not visible from the street.
Mr. Hart asked if both the house and barn roofs will be the same Slateline shingle.
Ms. Norkun replied in the affirmative. She noted that the main house roof is currently leaking and the barn roof has hole in it.
MOTION/VOTE: Mr. Hart made a motion to approve replacement of roof on main structure and barn with GAF Slateline in Antique Slate as well as re-flashing both chimneys and skylight, repair skylight if needed, repair sidewalls and remove/reattach clapboard as needed, all to replicate existing. Ms. Keenan seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
Ms. Bellin joined the meeting at this time.
161 Federal Street
On behalf of Dan Botwinik/161 Federal Street, LLC, Epsilon Associates, Inc. submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for improvements to the former Saint James Rectory, including renovations associated with a new residential use. The project will include repairing and repainting (same colors as existing) the exterior wood clapboard siding, retaining and repairing the existing wood windows and doors and replacing missing or damaged slates from the roof with in-kind materials. A new roof dormer will be added 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
- Ganek Architects, Inc. drawings dated 4/17/15
Mr. Botwinik was present and requesting a continuance. He stated that he will be hosting an open house at the property on May 13th from 6-8pm.
MOTION/VOTE: Ms. McCrea made a motion to continue the application. Ms. Keenan seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
170 Federal Street
Timothy Obert and Matthew Obey submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace missing garage doors and replace the damaged basement bulk-head door. The garage doors will be custom wooden doors that swing open similar to a garage on Fowler Street. The bulkhead door is not visible from the street and will be replaced with one similar in style. The applicant could not be present.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application submitted 4/17/15
- Photographs
- Mortgage inspection plan dated 7/16/14
Mr. Spang questioned what hardware they would be using.
Joyce Wallace, 172 Federal Street, stated that she was in support of the application. She stated that the applicants are trying to do things in the correct way and have done wonderful job cleaning up.
Ms. Bellin stated that the hardware will be black; therefore, it won’t be as visible.
MOTION/VOTE: Mr. Hart made a motion to approve replacement of missing garage doors with custom wooden doors per photographs submitted, painted black, conditional that the hardware be as shown in the photograph (any changes in design, including hardware, from the photo will require further approved by the Commission) and replacement of basement bulk-head door (not visible from the public way). Ms. Bellin seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
11 Orne Square
Sean and Ana Monahan submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to add a wood frame 1-story vestibule to the rear of the building, minimally visible from the public way. Siding will be wood “novelty siding”, alternate clapboards with corner board, fiberglass charcoal gray roof, Brosco or equal windows, wood porch railings with a color to be determined.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application submitted 4/8/15
- Photographs
- Brosco catalog cuts
- Anderson & McQuaid Co., Inc. custom moulding profiles catalog cut
- Novelty siding internet printout
- North Shore Survey Corporation plot of land dated 4/14/15
- Drawings dated 4/6/15, Helen F. Sides, Architect LLC
Ms. Guy stated that she received an email from the applicants withdrawing their application.
Other Business
Requests for Letters of Support
Ms. Guy provided a draft letter of support for The House of the Seven Gables for the Massachusetts Preservation Projects Fund.
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to send a letter of support. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried. Mr. Hart stated that he submitted a proposal for the project and abstained from voting.
Approval of minutes
VOTE: Ms. McCrea made a motion to approve the minutes of April 1, 2015. Mr. Spang seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
VOTE: Ms. Keenan made a motion to approve the minutes of April 15, 2015. Mr. Hart seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion so carried.
Correspondence
Ms. Guy stated that a letter was received from Massachusetts Historical Commission notifying the Commission that it did not select James Treadwell to receive a 2015 Preservation Award.
Ms. Guy stated that a copy of a letter was received from the Public Archaeology Laboratory, send to MHC, regarding the Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC Salem Lateral Project, requesting concurrence that the proposed workspace areas have no effect on historic properties.
Ms. McCrea stated that she wanted to alert the Commission that there was a meeting of the Essex Street Neighborhood Association regarding lighting in the city attended by Jeff Elie. She stated that the City is looking to replace lighting and that the Commission may want to think about appropriate lighting for area. Ms. Guy stated that she would talk with Mr. Elie and send the Commission information.
Ms. Herbert stated that HSI’s annual preservation awards are coming up. She stated that she got an email to serve on the committee to review projects. She asked if anyone want to serve, noting that the meetings are usually during day. Ms. McCrea stated that she would volunteer if she does not have a conflict.
Ms. Harbor stated, while it is not exactly the Commission’s purview, that she would like to know if the wind turbines on the South Harbor Garage are in use any longer and, if not, can they be taken down or moved to the back. Ms. Guy stated that she would look into it.
Mr. Spang stated that for the North Street fire station, he is wrestling with the contractor to finish the project, but that the overall work done by the city has come out nice. He noted that it was a terrific job of replacing the arched window in the center with a new mahogany window.
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,
Jane A. Guy
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