SALEM HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MINUTES
June 17, 2015
A meeting of the Salem Historical Commission was held on Wednesday, June 17, 2015 at 7:00 pm at 120 Washington Street, Salem, MA. Present were Jessica Herbert (Chair), Laurie Bellin, Susan Keenan, Kathy Harper, Larry Spang, and Reed Cutting.
13 Chestnut Street
Nicholas & Jennifer Kiefer submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to change the exterior paint color of the house and garage. The applicants consulted with Historic New England’s Senior Manager of Historic Preservation Services, Sally Zimmerman, to ensure that the selected colors are historically appropriate. The proposed paint colors are:
Body: Benjamin Moore Amherst Gray
Trim: Navajo White
House and garage doors: Fine Paints of Europe Delft Blue
Window sashes/grills: Black
The shutters will remain black and the storm windows will not be changed. The application also includes the replacement of lattice at the top of the fence along the entryway for 13R with an appropriate topper. They will also be replacing the storm door.
Review of the garage door paint color was continued until the applicants are able to show a sample of the color.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application submitted 4/23/15
- Photographs
- Paint chips
- Proposal from Cosmos Painting Company
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to continue the application. Mr. Reed seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
192 Federal Street
Pamela Waldron submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to change the front doors. The proposed color is “Electric Grid.” The application also includes a proposal to move the fence along the side lot line, bordering 188 Federal Street, so that it aligns with the property line.
Pamela Waldron was present.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application: 5/21/2015
- Photographs of the fence and aviary
Ms. Herbert asked if the house trim and body colors would remain the same.
Ms. Waldron responded in the affirmative.
Ms. Herbert asked if the existing fence sections and posts will be reused.
Ms. Waldron responded that they would like to keep the posts unless they are rotted. She asked if pressure treated could be used for replacement posts. The existing posts are cedar.
Ms. Herbert stated that if when the posts are in the front of the house, the Commission asks that the pressure treated wood be wrapped with pine or a like wood.
Ms. Waldron stated that the back piece of the fence will not be removed as it goes around a tree. The front sections that are on the neighbor’s property will be relocated to the property line.
Leslie Leveque, 188 Federal Street, asked if all of the posts would be moved to the applicants property.
Ms. Waldron responded that everything will be move to along her property.
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve the door and the fence. Ms. Keenan seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
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.
Discussion of the roof dormer was continued in order to allow the applicant time to seek a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application submitted 4/21/15
- Photographs
- Ganek Architects, Inc. drawings dated 4/17/15
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to continue the application. Mr. Reed seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
95 Federal Street Unit #4
Jo Fladger submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to remove three existing skylights and replace with new Velux skylights.
Jo Fladger was present.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application: 5/18/15
- Photographs
- Manufacturer specifications for the proposed skylights
Ms. Fladger stated that the size of the new skylights is the same as the existing. There are 2 roof windows that open inwards. She would like to replace them with a modern skylight so that a screen can be installed. The 3rd skylight is in the kitchen and is rotting. It is likely an original skylight and is divided down the middle.
Mr. Spang asked if a new curb would be installed.
Ms. Fladger responded that they will do what is necessary in order to keep the skylights from leaking.It may be slightly higher than the existing skylight. The other two skylights will look the same.
Ms. Herbert stated that the kitchen skylight is minimally visible from the public way.
There was no public comment.
VOTE: Ms. Harper made a motion to approve the application, as submitted. Ms. Bellin seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
142 Derby Street
Daniel Crowther, owner of the business 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.
Dan Crowther was present.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application: 5/19/2015
- Sign rendering with dimensions
Ms. Herbert asked if there is a window at the location of the building sign.
Mr. Crowther responded that there may have been a window there in the past. The bottom panels on the front façade were previously windows.
Ms. Herbert asked if the sign is flush mounted or recessed.
Mr. Crowther responded that the sign is flush against the façade. The air conditioning unit is above the door in the recessed area.
Mr. Spang stated that the sign would actually hide the air conditioner.
Mr. Crowther stated that the sign will be affixed to the building with eye brackets. The hanging sign will be made of PVC. The existing bracket will be used to hang the sign.
Mr. Spang asked if the hanging sign would hang from chains.
Mr. Crowther stated that it will be affixed with tie rods.
There was no public comment.
Mr. Spang asked if there will be any lighting.
Mr. Crowther responded in the negative. He stated that they may be back before the Commission for approval of window decals along with paint colors.
Reed Cutting recused himself from the vote due to a conflict of interest.
Ms. Bellin stated that she is unsure about the wall sign being flush with the facade. She would prefer the sign be set back.
Mr. Spang stated that it could be possible to recess the sign slightly.
Ms. Herbert stated that another option would be to reduce the size of the sign by a couple of inches so that there is space around the sign that clearly delineates it.
Mr. Spang stated that the applicant could set the sign back from the glass 4-6” and then reducing the size slightly.
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve the hanging blade sign and continue deliberation of the front door sign. Ms. Keenan seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
15 Chestnut Street
Peter Gordon and Karen Hayes submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to remove and reconstruct the fence along Chestnut Street. As part of this work, they propose o widen the current double gate entrance from 6’ to 8’. The gate was designed to not stand out and to appear to be a continuance of the fence. The application also includes a proposal to remove the fire escape structure on the back of the house.
Peter Gordon and Karen Hayes were present.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application: 6/1/15
- Photographs
Mr. Gordon stated that the fire escape connects only to the 1st unit, which already has enough means of egress and the fire escape is currently not serviceable.
There was no public comment.
VOTE: Mr. Spang made a motion to approve removal of the fire escape. Ms. Keenan seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
Mr. Gordon stated that the fence is the same as when Frank Cousins took pictures of Chestnut Street. The intent of the design was that the gates not be visible. All of the hardware is on the inside.
Ms. Herbert asked out of what material the fence is constructed.
Mr. Gordon responded that it is pine with pressure treated beams. They will be installing a cedar fence with pressure treated beams and posts.
VOTE: Ms. Harper made a motion to approve the widening the fence gate from 6’-8’ and everything else to be the same. Ms. Bellin seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
Other Business
Correspondence
Ms. Herbert stated that cobblestone has been found along River Street. The City is proposing to install asphalt and restore the cobble at a future time. There was a situation a few years back along Cambridge Street where the owners didn’t want brick, so concrete was installed. The City needs to have a procedure for how to address these situations, rather than taking it by a case by case basis.
VOTE: There being no further business, Ms. Bellin made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Keenan seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Natalie BL Lovett
Community Development Planner
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