Lincoln Historical Commission
Historic District Commission
Meeting Minutes
July 15, 2003, 7:30 p.m.
Board: Ken Hurd, Acting Chair, Eleanor Fitzgerald, Stefania Jha, Colin Smith and Mary Spindler
Town: Elaine Carroll
Guests: Jack MacLean, Historian
Timothy Taylor, Attorney for Lexington Road Development LP
Jeannine Taylor, Realtor for 118 Lexington Road
Sara Mattes, Board of Selectmen
Kerry Glass, President, Lincoln Historical Society
NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, August 12, 2003, 7:30 p.m., Town Offices
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minutes of the June 10, 2003 meeting were approved with corrections, which will be made.
118 Lexington Road (demolish existing barn):
This was a continuation of the June 10, 2003 meeting because the application was incomplete and Tim Taylor, representing the owners, Lexington road Development Limited Partnership, agreed to obtain further information and continue the meeting in July. Mr. Taylor came before the Board to continue to discuss a request to demolish the existing barn at 118 Lexington Road. Mr. Hurd asked the members if they had any additional information. Mary Spindler stated that she had talked to Al Bowles, whose family lived there for many years. Chief Bowles stated that Herman Wheeler, who inherited the house from his father James, willed the property to his father in September of 1946 and it was used as a working farm. There was a blacksmith shop next to the barn but only the foundation remains. A
marking on the stairs says 1914. He was sad to hear that the barn was being considered for demolition. Jack MacLean said that ownership went back to 1913 with James Wheeler, originally from Acton. Herman Wheeler s main occupation was teaching with farming secondary. Eleanor Fitzgerald said that Coburn Farm had a condition of sale that the barn be restored and preserved but that no such action was taken at 118 Lexington Road. She also said that the barn was deteriorating and the foundation crumbling. Stefania Jha said that she felt that the barn was in terrible shape three years ago and that it wouldn t be her choice if buying an historic barn. Colin Smith said that it was not an architectural jewel but a part of Lincoln s farming community. He felt that it was in bad shape and nothing special but the overall picture is that when it is torn down, it will be another barn gone. He also said that although a demolition cannot be
prevented, perhaps a delay could produce someone who would be interested in taking the barn. Tim Taylor again stated that the barn would not be immediately torn down. He said that the barn would only be demolished if and when the lot on which the barn sits is sold and the buyer shows no interest in the barn. He said that the owners preference is to sell to one owner but it has been on the market for over 2 years. He said that it was a barn built from a kit and the roof, siding and windows are not good. The only valuable parts of the barn are the horse stalls, which were installed by the Johnsons and are removable. The owners are not interested in paying thousands of dollars for renovations to a barn that no one wants. Sara Mattes asked Mr. Taylor why the owners are asking for the demolition instead of a prospective buyer. She urged the owners to continue to seek alternate solutions and, if not, then she requested that the
buyer come in for an application to demolish instead of the present owners. She also said that perhaps CPA money could be used to restore the barn and more time was needed to come up with a solution. Jeannine Taylor said that no one is going to put an offer on a lot if they cannot build a house where the barn is. Kerry Glass said that no one got in touch with the Lincoln Historical Society and that the first she heard of this was several days ago. She said that the barn is part of the fabric of our Lincoln heritage. Mr. Taylor felt that compared to the barns on the Flint, Donaldson and Codman property, this barn is not significant. He also said that preserving the field makes economic sense to the owners under a cluster development. Mary Spindler made a motion to delay demolition saying that although the barn needs lots of work it is a part of our heritage. Colin Smith seconded the motion and the board voted
unanimously to deny the demolition of the barn. The board will inform the owners of the denial and the owners have 60 days to submit a demolition plan.
Other Business:
24 Sandy Pond Road There was an informal discussion regarding the proposed addition of two windows on a windowless wall at 24 Sandy Pond Road. Colin Smith said that these windows would not be visible from the street. After a brief discussion, it was decided that Colin would send a Certificate of Non-Applicability to the applicant with the stipulation that the new windows are to match the existing windows.
Library Archives Eleanor Fitzgerald attended the library archives meeting today where they set the rules on who could use the materials and how to protect these documents. Once the materials are all documented they want to set up a website so that pictures can be viewed to protect fragile documents. They will need to get a big scanner for this purpose. The process is moving along nicely and Eleanor will send the minutes from the meeting to Elaine Carroll for distribution to the members.
Mary Spindler asked Colin Smith to write a letter to the Board of Selectmen urging them to appoint one new member and two alternate members to the HDC as soon as possible, which Colin will do.
Colin Smith asked Elaine Carroll to remind the Old Town Hall Corporation that they need to re-submit an application to the Board regarding the sign post, which has been painted dark green.
Jack MacLean presented the members with a letter to the Baker Farm Road neighbors to follow up on the neighborhood meeting held earlier this year at Jane Langton s house. He also provided copies of description forms for 9, 19, 25, 44 & 37 & 39 Baker Farm Road, which he had filled out to be sent to the Massachusetts Historical Commission for the HDC files.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Elaine Carroll
| 
