HomeMy Public PortalAbout20190909 - Woodville Historic District Commission - Meeting MinutesWOODVILLE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
September 9, 2019 7:00 PM
Town Hall, 18 Main Street, Hopkinton MA
MINUTES
Members Present: Sean Davan, Chair, Tina Berlad, Nancy Peters, Alan Connell, Craig Nation,
Paul Larter
Members Absent: None
Public Hearing - 229 Wood Street - Wang’s Realty Management Service Inc.
Frank Wang, applicant, described the application for a Certificate of Appropriateness, for
removing the existing loading dock and adding two new windows, all on the Winter Street
facade of the building.
The Commission discussed the proposal with the Applicant, and reviewed the symmetry of the
facade and the proportions and historical details which remain on this building. Although the
first floor facade has been altered over the years, much of the second floor facade has not been
altered. The Commission reviewed the Town’s historical property inventory form for the
property, and the building’s history. At the conclusion of the discussion, it was the consensus of
the Commission and the Applicant to include replacement of an existing small window on the
first floor as well, even though the request was not included in the application. The three new
windows would match the original windows on the second floor in size, style and trim, and they
would be aligned with windows above. One of the windows would be in the place of the old
loading dock.
There was uncertainty as to whether the interior layout and/or the structure could accommodate
the three windows in the locations indicated, and whether the changes would be building code
compliant. It was agreed that the Applicant would return to the Commission if modifications
needed to be made.
A motion was made and seconded to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for the following
work, under the following conditions, on the Winter Street facade of the building:
1.Three new windows shall be added on the first floor: 1) one window in place of the one
existing small window, lined up with the window above; 2) one new window in place of
the loading dock, lined up with the window above; and 3) one new window located
between the window described in #1 and the existing side door nearest to the Wood St.
front of the building, lined up with the center window on the second floor above.
2.The new windows shall match the second floor windows on this side of the building with
respect to size/dimensions, style and trim.
3.Each new window shall include shutters of the same size and color as those on the second
floor.
4.Each new window shall have the same black trim as the windows on the second floor.
5.There are two doors on this side of the building. The original double door with its roof
overhang above shall not be modified or changed in any way.
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6.There is a pre-existing emergency egress next to the loading dock. If the building codes
require changes made to this door, the Applicant will obtain approval from the WHDC
before any changes are made.
The vote on the motion was 5 in favor, none opposed, with Mr. Larter abstaining.
Property Updates
20 Winter Street - Mr. Davan stated that he visited the site and signed off on the project, noting it
matched the Certificate with the exception that the shutters fell apart when they were removing
them, they weren’t replaced and that seemed fine. Ms. Peters questioned other items that were
done on the property, and the Commission discussed the importance of good descriptions in the
Certificates issued by the Commission that outline the work that is approved.
221 Wood Street - Mr. Davan provided an update, noting that no work has begun on this project.
He stated that the owner did not like the work assessment prepared by the insurance company
and asked for another engineering assessment. That assessment was provided to the Building
Inspector in July and the insurance company is reviewing it, as it identified more extensive
damage. Mr. Davan stated that the Building Inspector has issued a permit only to clean up the
building and make it safe.
Historic Property Report
Mr. Davan referred to the 1989 historic property report that is on the Town website, and a recent
grant project resulted in additional properties documented in the center of Town. It was noted
that a future grant project for Woodville area would be beneficial.
Minutes
Mr. Davan moved to approve the minutes of the January 14, 2019, February 4, 2019 and August
12, 2019 meetings as amended. The motion was seconded by Ms. Peters and the vote was
unanimous in favor.
Mr. Nation moved to adjourn the meeting, the motion was seconded by Mr. Larter, and the vote
was unanimous in favor.
Adjourned: 8:36 PM
Approved: October 7, 2019
Documents used at the meeting:
●Application for Historic Certification, 229 Wood Street, Wang’s Realty Management Service, Inc.
●Photographs of 229 Wood Street
●1989 Historic Property Inventory
●Draft minutes of meetings on 1/14/19, 2/4/19, 8/12/19
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