SALEM HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MINUTES
July 1, 2015
A meeting of the Salem Historical Commission was held on Wednesday, July 1, 2015 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, Reed Cutting, Joanne McCrea, Larry Spang.
388-390 Essex Street
Steven Sass submitted an application for a Certificate of Non-Applicability to replace the existing roof with a shingle of a similar color.
Thiago Scottie and Steven Sass were present.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application: 6/1/2015
- Photographs: 6/1/2015
Ms. Bellin recused herself as an abutter, and moved to the audience.
Mr. Scottie showed a sample of the existing roof and a sample of what they are proposing.
Ms. Herbert asked if Mr. Sass was aware of when the roof was replaced.
Mr. Sass responded that he does not know the date of the roof, but he believes it has been on the house for a while.
Mr. Hart showed a picture of the roof that shows it is a strip shingle, which is similar to a 3-tab but not the same.
Mr. Scottie stated that the strip shingle is no longer made.
Mr. Hart stated that he would be in favor of a 3-tab to replace the strip shingle and the guidelines recommend 3-tab shingles.
The proposed color is weathered wood.
Ms. Herbert stated that black or charcoal is preferred for the color.
VOTE: Mr. Hart made a motion to approve a 3-tab roof shingle in the color charcoal or black. Mr. Spang seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried. Ms. Bellin abstained.
Ms. Bellin returned to the table.
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. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
40 Summer Street
Patrick Schultz submitted an application for a Certificate of Non-Applicability to repair and/or replace all badly cracked clapboards with solid cedar clapboards and to repair of the existing trim with in-kind materials.
An application for a Certificate of Appropriateness was also submitted for paint colors:
Option 1
Body-BM Country Redwood
Trim-BM Cappuccino Froth
Option 2
Body- BM Carnage Red
Trim- BM Parchment
Shellie and Patrick Schultz were present.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application: 6/12/15
- Photographs
- Paint samples
Ms. Herbert asked if the front door would be repainted.
Mr. Schultz responded that they have not yet considered colors for the front door.
Mr. Hart stated that the façade has been stripped of its decorative trim.
Mr. Schultz stated that on the MHC MACRIS website the house is shown with the same trim as the opposite site. The 1895 picture showed the flat board.
Ms. Herbert asked how long they have owned the property.
Mr. Schultz responded that they just recently purchased the property.
There was no public comment.
VOTE: Mr. Cutting made a motion to approve a combination of either paint options. Ms. Bellin seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
MOTION: Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve a black door color. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion.
Ms. Bellin amended her motion to specify that the paint may be gloss or semi-gloss.
VOTE: Mr. Cutting seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
Mr. Hart stated that there is no record showing when the trim was removed and the flat board was applied. He advises that the owners to restore it in the future, if feasible.
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve the in-kind repairs. Ms. McCrea 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.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application: 5/19/2015
- Sign rendering with dimensions
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to continue the application. Ms. McCrea 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. Cutting 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.
Christian Haselgrove and Heidi Smith were present.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application: 5/4/15
- Photographs: 5/4/15
Mr. Spang asked for confirmation that wood gutters are being installed.
Mr. Haselgrove responded in the affirmative. The new gutter will be installed along the lower rear addition. The gutter will be painted to match the existing trim.
There was no public comment.
VOTE: Ms. McCrea made a motion to approve the application as submitted. Ms. Bellin 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 all 27 windows and exterior trim frames on the house. The current windows are in a state of extreme rot and deterioration which requires full replacements. Install all-wood sash, trim and frames to copy original. Incorporate modern energy-saving features like hidden weather tripping and jamb liners. Window sizes and grill types to match the existing. The exterior trim & frame will be painted off-white. The exterior mullions and sashes will be painted black or dark green.
Two window options are proposed: Marvin Ultimate and Jeld-Wen.
The application also includes installation of aluminum gutters on the back of the house. The gutters will be of-white to match the trim.
Chris and Stacey Norkun were present.
Documents & Exhibits
- Application:
- Photographs:
Ms. Norcum stated that they have not heard positive reviews for the Jeld-wen windows and would like to withdraw that option from the application. The windows they would like to use are Marvin.
Mr. Hart stated that he would be in favor of a site visit to see the condition of the windows given that all 27 windows are being proposed for replacement. He also asked for a sample sash. He suggested that the applicant look at the MACRIS website to see if there is a historical photograph of the house.
Ms. Bellin asked if the rear gutter is being replaced.
Ms. Norcum responded that it appears as though there were gutters on the house at one point, at least along the top level. They are proposing gutters for all three levels.
Mr. Spang stated that it can be tricky to match the window trim with replacement windows.
Ms. Herbert stated that if there are trim options for the windows, they would like a window selected that has a matching trim.
Ms. Lovett left momentarily to retrieve the file on the property.
Ms. Herbert stated that there appears as though some windows have thicker window sills which would be more appropriate for the time period.
Ms. Norcum stated that almost all of the windows will be custom sizes. While the width of the window are standard, the jams are thicker.
Ms. Herbert suggested that the applicant take measurements of the windows and give some thought to how to replicate the historic sills. In the meantime, the Commission will go by the site to take a look at the existing conditions.
There was no public comment.
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to continue the application. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
Other Business
Approval of Minutes
VOTE: Ms. Bellin made a motion to approve the minutes of 6/3/15 with comments. Mr. Cutting seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
VOTE: Mr. Hart made a motion to approve the minutes of 5/20/15 with comments. Ms. McCrea seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion so carried.
Correspondence
The Commission discussed the cobblestone that was found at the intersection of River Street and Bridge Street. Mr. Hart stated that they are granite paving blocks that may have been installed in the mid 19th century. Ms. Herbert stated that the area may not be the best location for cobblestone because it is such a busy area, however it would be nice to see a short street in Salem with a cobblestone surface. She also noticed that the Belgium block around the Conant statue was recently paved over.
Ms. McCrea gave the Commission an update of the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) activities. The Commission discussed the CPC’s funding of projects for properties owned by private and nonprofit organizations. Specifically, the City Council was concerned with the CPA funds being used to fund work at the House of Seven Gables. David Hart stated that there is precedent for funding private properties in other communities around the state.
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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