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Historic District Commission
Meeting Minutes
March 5, 2002, 7:30 a.m.
Attendees: Colin Smith, Chair, Crawley Cooper, Eleanor Fitzgerald, Stefania Jha, and Mary Spindler
Town: Elaine Carroll
Guests: Dana Robbat, 151 Old Concord Road
Jack MacLean, 21 Trapelo Road
Emily Althausen, 6 Woodcock Lane
Jerry Cirillo, Library Director
NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, April 5, 2002, 7:30 a.m., Employees Lounge, Town Offices
Pertzoff-Preston Development, Woodcock Lane:
Dana Robbat came before the members to speak about preserving the Pertzoff-Preston Development on Woodcock Lane and Weston Road as part of the historic district. She read a historical narrative of the area and feels that it has a real historical and architectural unity to it. She also feels that preserving diversity in the Town is a benefit for all of the community and is looking for guidance from the LHC. Colin Smith said that what SPNEA does when preserving a property is to do a survey of all the important features and puts in a deed restriction on the property and will charge approximately $40,000. He said that we have approximately 60 properties that have deed restrictions and can go to court to stop any changes. If this area were made a historic district, the small house feel of the
neighborhood could be preserved. The members discussed the benefits and drawbacks for the homeowners. The benefit would be to keep someone from tearing down the smaller structure and building a large house, which would be out of character to the neighborhood and has already been done to several houses nearby. The LHC would then have say about the any exterior changes, which are visible from the street. One drawback would be the possibility of receiving less money for the sale of their property because buyers usually want more square footage and the ability to make additions as desired. There was a discussion of a possible property tax relief. Emily Althausen mentioned that since the parcels have more than the required 2 acres, some of the land could be given to the Town as conservation land in exchange for a property tax reduction. The members felt that Dana should contact Paul Marsh to discuss what options may be available. The next step
would be to contact the homeowners and meet with them to get their reactions, which Emily said that she would be willing to host. A parcel cannot be placed in the historic district without the owner s approval. Approval must also be obtained at Town Meeting in order to establish a new historic district. Colin will get legal information and advise from SPNEA. Dana will come back the LHC after she has obtained more information and has met with the owners. It was suggested that the owners could come to a future LHC meeting.
Library Lane and Library Archives Committee
Jerry Cirullo and Emily Althausen came in to discuss the Long-Range Plan for Archives/Historical Collections. The humidity, temperature and light in the vault were discussed. Mold growth was experienced in the vault. They have improved humidity and temperature control but nothing has been done about light. Jerry said that he has installed a dehumidifier, which has helped the situation but it also generates heat and air and does not solve all of the mold problems. An Archives Committee has been established to work with them to develop new rules for security and access. They do not have a diseaster plan including water damage from a fire on the floor above. The cost for the improvements would be $60,000. The Historical Society has given $20,000. They will request
$20,000 from the Codman Trust and plan to do fundraising for the additional $20,000. They also discussed the problem with parking and lighting. They are proposing to widen the street on the library side and will be having a meeting after Town Meeting with Tim Higgins, Vinnie DeAmicis and Jenifer Burckett-Picker to discuss the problems and will report back to the LHC with any plans.
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There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Elaine Carroll
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