Lincoln Historical Commission
Historic District Commission
Meeting Minutes
October 8, 2002, 7:30 p.m.
Present: Colin Smith, Chair, Eleanor Fitzgerald, Mary Spindler and Ken Hurd
Town: Elaine Carroll
Guests: Jack MacLean, Historian
Chris Skelly, Mass. Historical Commission
Henry B. Hoover, Jr., 154 Trapelo Road
Wendell Knox and Lucile Algere, owners of 4 Laurel Drive
John Freeman, Architect for 4 Laurel Drive
Various abutters to 4 Laurel Drive
NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, November 6, 2002, 7:30 p.m., Employees Lounge, Town Offices
Minutes of the August 6, 2002 meeting were approved.
Demolition Delay Review:
Wendell Knox, 4 Laurel Road
The owners and architect came before the members to discuss the proposed demolition of
4 Laurel Drive. They said that the house was not in good shape and was not built well and they had originally planned to add on to the existing house but the condition of the house will make that difficult. Several abutters were present and did not object to the demolition but were interested in what would be built in its place. After a brief discussion, the members voted unanimously to approve the demolition application with the understanding that Mr. Knox would go before the ZBA for approval to construct another dwelling before removing the existing structure.
Other Business:
The members continued an informal discussion regarding the identification of houses, which they would like added to the Historic District. Chris Skelly of the Mass. Historical Commission was present to give direction on the proper channels to go through to accomplish this task. Mr. Skelly said that this was a very comprehensive look at the town. Mary Spindler wanted to know if there was a way that the Town could change the by-law so that the Town would have jurisdiction over houses in the Historic District, which are not visible from a public way. Mr. Skelly said that the Town couldn t change this local by-law because it is a State law and every few years Chapter 40C is looked at for changes but always gets killed in Committee. You need to talk to State Representative about changing Chapter
40C. No one has brought up changing the public way issue because the problem is deciding what is a public way. Lakes, oceans and conservation fields are considered public ways. Mr. Skelly stated that to proceed with the project the members should look at the chart and decide what properties are most significant and which are the most vulnerable to change in the next 5 years. Prioritize on the most vulnerable and go to Town Meeting with those. The Board should do a property owner opinion survey in those areas and see how they feel about being added to the Historic District. You can either go to each owner or have a neighborhood meeting but be sure to keep residents informed early on in the process. Mr. Skelly also said that it is not necessary to have the owner s approval but rather a two-thirds vote at Town Meeting will get a parcel or area added to the Historic District. He said to focus on a few areas and get letters to property
owner so that they know they are getting in on the ground level. Doing the whole project is too ambitious. Public education takes the most time and the board shouldn t rush to Town Meeting but should wait until the 2004 Town Meeting and do educating at the neighborhood level. He also said that getting something on the National Register is a process but getting a letter saying that it is significant and could be on the Register isn t difficult. He said that after going to the neighborhood, the board should fill
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out the documents to go to the Mass. Historical Commission by filling out the individual properties on the inventory forms and include a black and white picture. Every property should be filled out in a combined district but it is not required on the properties not being included. It usually takes 1 to 2 months to hear back from them. The Commission is strictly advisory and their opinion does not bind the Town in any way. The Town could ignore all their advice and add whatever district they wanted and the Commission would basically be in favor of any added local Historic District. After written preliminary study report is given to Mass. Historical Commission, the Town is required to wait 60 days in order to hold public hearings so that residents can voice concerns and everyone will know what
is happening. Mr. Skelly gave the members documents which he felt would be helpful in going forward with this project, including a list of frequently asked questions, a sample letter to property owners, a sample of a preliminary study report filed by Foxborough, Mass. and Form B, which is necessary for submission to the Mass. Historical Commission. Elaine Carroll will make copies of all of these documents and distribute to all members before the next meeting.
Henry Hoover, Jr. told the members that he would submit a list of modernist houses in Lincoln, which he feels should be preserved with the most significant ones starred.
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There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Elaine Carroll
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