HomeMy Public PortalAbout20200713 - Historical Commission - Meeting Minutes1
Minutes July 13, 2020
Hopkinton Historical Commission
Meeting Minutes
Remote Meeting
7:00 PM
Attending: Mike Roughan, Christine Remby, Nancy Stevenson, Eric Sonnett, Beth
Watson
Members Absent: Nanda Barker-Hook, James Haskins, John Pavlov
Also Attending: Kathryn Aroian, Doug Stone
26 PLEASANT STREET
Ms. Aroian wants to sell her home and would like to get the process started to
possibly allow the new owners to raze the structure.
Mike explained our process, considering Historic Significance, if it is Historical in
character, the neighborhood character, and the historic value to our town.
Mike, Eric and Nancy were able to do a walk-through and see the interior.
Katheryn- Info the HHC needs to know:
My family has owned this house since 1978.
I grew up there.
Reconstruction concerns-the house is as it always has been, when many homes in
Hopkinton have been done over.
House is too close to the road.
If I were to raise a family there, I would want to move it back.
The house has personal significance, but the width of the narrow lot limits it.
The buyer will have to deal with the town re: size.
Mike-4 years ago a new clause was added to our bylaws that allows protection of an
historical structure. It allows the owner to keep the house and build behind it, when
the property doesn’t have the frontage for a way around the house.
Kathryn- House is 700 sq ft, and unheated. Other people look for at least 2000sq ft.
Mike-You are looking to allow another owner to build what they want?
Katheryn-A new structure would benefit the neighborhood.
It is not fiscally responsible to use what is there.
Eric-How old is the house?
Katheryn- Built in 1910
Connected to the Dryden and the Claflins.
No money has been put into the house except a new roof.
Eric-Asbestos siding?
Katheryn-It has been there the whole time I have lived there.
We redid the living room and kitchen, removed the horsehair plaster.
Cedar posts are holding up the foundation
Infested with termites and they are punky.
Part of the kitchen and bathroom have no basement under them.
Mike-It shows its age. No significant updates in quite a bit of time.
2
Some structure damage, some softening of posts.
Some stairs are deteriorated.
Very solid character and form.
Needs a ton of work. I would strip down to the frame and work with someone to add on.
Awesome arched window in attic pediment.
Katheryn- The character is unique in Hopkinton-it’s a true 2 floors with an attic. 2
bedrooms, 1 bath, and extra little space.
Eric- At one time this represented the character of the neighborhood. Too small for
the lot.
Not good condition, 700 sq ft, unheated second floor, back looks like it is falling
down. I see no significance to this house in the neighborhood now.
Mike-I agree that the crawl space and the kitchen need to be demolished.
Is it’s history significant?
Nancy-Because it hasn’t been updated, it is uniquely as it was many years ago. I find
historical value there.
Mike-The form is identical to mine.
Kathryn-I want you to give the new owners your blessing.
Mike-When we debate, you are welcome to chime in.
Beth-Regardless of a walk-through, I think it is historically important.
Mike-Our job is to maintain the historical integrity of the town. As an example, 149
Hayden Rowe, Chesmore Funeral Home wanted to tear down the barn (it was
falling apart) and rebuild very similarly to original and we approved it.
Katheryn-The town. Character has changed. I grew up in the crappy house on
Pleasant Street with others renovating everything in Hopkinton. Seems like a huge
amount would need to be put into it.
It needs a new life with a family.
Beth-I agree there have been a lot of changes in Hopkinton. A lot of people are upset.
I think we need a public hearing.
Christine-Do you know what you are building in its place?
Katheryn-Buyers are living in town around Pleasant Street in modest homes. They are
approved for a mortgage with a construction loan.
Eric-Is there still a buyer without a demo permit?
Katheryn-I believe so. I will sell it anyway. This. User wants more flexibility.
Nancy-I make a motion that we declare this structure as historically significant.
Beth-I second.
Katheryn-If voting it as historically significant, what does that mean?
Mike-It means we will have a public hearing to determine whether it should be saved
with a demo delay or allowed to be razed.
Christine-I would like to see the house.
Beth-I would love to see the house.
Vote on historical significance:
Eric-no
Christine-no
Nancy-yes
Beth-yes
3
Mike-yes
Motion passes 3-2.
Mike- We will schedule a public hearing within 30 days.
Meeting closed 7:35 PM
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