Lincoln Historical Commission
Historic District Commission
Meeting Minutes
September, 11, 2007, 7:30 pm
Board Members: Ruth Wales, HDC Chair, LHC/HDC; Ephraim Flint, HDC; Kerry Glass, LHC/HDC; Colin Smith, LHC/HDC
Alternate: Jack MacLean, HDC
Secretary: Elaine Carroll
NEXT ANTICIPATED MEETING: Oct. 2, 2007, 7:30 p.m., Town Offices
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. and the minutes of the August 14 meeting were approved with corrections, which will be made.
Certificates of Appropriateness:
14 Bedford Road – Colin Smith told the members that the White Church would like to update the sign, which appears in front of the church to add the new name of the assistant pastor. The change would be made by adding an aluminum plate overlay over the present wood sign and would then be painted to match the existing sign. This request was not part of the original application but since this change is not considered significant and means that the entire sign will not need to be redone, the Commission voted unanimously to issue a Certificate of Non-Applicability. With regard to the application for two signs to be placed one above the other on the front of the Parish House at 14 Bedford Road, Jack MacLean said that, according to the by-laws, they would have a right to have one sign on the
building, which would be the larger of the two signs. The sign for the Lincoln Nursery School would need approval from the Commission. The members felt that it would be better to have the nursery school sign on a free standing post near the driveway. After a brief discussion, Ruth Wales made a motion to approve the Lincoln Nursery School sign with the condition that it be installed on a free-standing post by the driveway. The motion was seconded by Kerry Glass and approved unanimously. A Certificate of Appropriateness will be sent for the nursery school sign. The Church will also be informed that approval for the two new signs would need to go before the Planning Board for approval.
Discussions:
Inventory Updates – Ruth Wales told the members that she had talked to Susan Brooks, Town Clerk, about the interest in scanning records and the use of a scanner to be used to copy historic documents to make them available on the website. Susan said that the Town should consider purchasing a scanner and exploring ways of copying other documents as well. The cost of a good scanner could run between $50 and $100. The cost of using an outside person to do scanning could be very labor intensive and expensive. As a result of this information, Lucretia Giese and Ruth have decided not to apply for CPA funds but to do it as a Town project. Kerry Glass made a motion to hold off applying for CPA funds at this time. The motion was seconded by Colin Smith and approved unanimously. Anyone
wishing to review information on historic properties can go to the Library for this information. It is desirable that these documents be available at the Town Hall but not essential at this time.
Application for Certificate of Appropriateness – Ruth Wales told the members that she had gone to surrounding towns to see what their application forms looked like and revised the existing form to provide more information. This revised form was reviewed by the members. Ruth said that Lucretia Giese made some additional suggestions. After a brief discussion, additional changes were made and Kerry Glass made a motion to approve the application for a Certificate of Appropriateness as changed. The motion was seconded by Ephraim Flint and approved unanimously. The changes will be made and the new application will replace the existing one on the Town website.
9 Baker Farm Road – Jack MacLean updated the members on the Preservation Restriction Agreement for Jane Langton’s property. He said that he was basically working from the Flint document and the SPNEA document also was being used for information. He sent documents to Ms. Langton outlining examples of the types of things that could be protected. He said that there were two basic approaches significant to her. If the property were put on the National Register, she would be eligible for a Federal tax reduction, which could take more time or the Preservation Restriction Agreement, which could mean a decrease in local taxes as with the Flint Agreement, which got a 25% reduction. The National Register is less desirable because that option would also give the Commission a 10% value
in the property. She gave the material to her 3 sons and has heard back from one of them who is doubtful about the value to the family. Ms. Langton is still enthusiastic about going forward but this may play a role in how restrictive she would be in order to find a comfortable balance. Her initial feeling was to just go forward with The PRA and not the National Register. The NR has strings attached which she is uncomfortable with and doesn’t feel that the tax benefit is of interest to her and it is also time consuming. This issue could be addressed in the future. Mr. MacLean said that he went through the house and the center chimney has been removed. He said that most of the interior restrictions would be structural from the 18th century and that there is a reasonable amount of 1830s material still there. A wing was done in 1940. The carriage entrances are only decorative. It would be desirable to preserve
the lines but allow a lot of flexibility. The room upstairs was used possibly by a farm hand. It is mostly framework with an unfinished interior being used as general storage or unused. It is charming looking and the setting is great. There is no garage on the property. The attic recently had green foam insulation blown in over 18th century structural beams. He e-mailed Ms. Langton today to give her some insight on what could happen next but told her to consult her lawyer. He will report on further progress at the next HDC meeting. He thinks there will be progress because she really has a very personal attachment with the house and has used it in two of her books. The members also felt that it would be useful to investigate what affect having a PRA would have on the value of a property and Ruth felt that Mass. Historical may be able to help with this information. Kerry Glass reported on her progress on getting other
residents of Baker Farm interested in being added to a Historic District. She said that some are interested if others are interested and that the Sprayregans are not interested at this time. She sent all of them copies of the HDC by-laws. It was felt that as a standalone National Register building, a property would have less value than if it were in a larger historic district.
2 Sandy Pond Road – Elaine Carroll asked the members if a flag pole attached to the front of a house to hold a small American flag would need to go before the members. This question was asked by a real estate agent for a prospective buyer for 2 Sandy Pond Road. The members said that it would need to go before the HDC. Elaine said that she would inform the realtor of that fact.
Bill Paid – Jack MacLean for work on the Langton PRA in the amount of $1,527.30 from Codman Trust funds.
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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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