HomeMy Public PortalAbout20210517 - Woodville Historic District Commission - Meeting MinutesWOODVILLE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
Town of Hopkinton, MA
May 17, 2021 7:00 PM
Remote Meeting via Zoom
MINUTES
Members Present: Sean Davan, Chair, Paul Larter, Vice Chair, Tina Berlad, Nancy Peters, Craig
Nation, Sharon O’Reilly
Members Absent: None
Sean Davan, Chair, called the public meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Chair Davan called the name
of each Commission member. Paul Larter, Tina Berlad,Nancy Peters, Craig Nation and Sharon
O’Reilly responded affirmatively that they were present and could hear him.
Chair Davan stated that the meeting is being conducted remotely consistent with Governor
Baker ’s Executive Order of March 12, 2020, due to the current State of Emergency in the
Commonwealth due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus.He noted that in order to mitigate
the transmission of the virus, the Commission is complying with the Executive Order that
suspends the requirement of the Open Meeting Law to have all meetings in a publicly accessible
physical location. He stated that the Executive Order allows public bodies to meet entirely
remotely as long as the public body makes provisions through adequate, alternative means to
ensure that interested members of the public are provided reasonable access to the deliberations
of the meeting. He noted that this meeting will include public comment. He noted that for this
meeting the Commission is convening by video conference via Zoom Webinar as posted on the
Town’s web meeting calendar and the Commission’s agenda identifying how the public may
join. He noted that the meeting is being recorded and some attendees are participating by video
conference. Chair Davan stated that all supporting materials that have been provided to the
Board are available on the Town website via the web meeting calendar, unless otherwise noted.
Chair Davan reviewed the ground rules of the meeting including how speakers, commission
members and the public may participate. He stated that all votes taken in the meeting will be
conducted by roll call vote.
255 Wood Street - Application for Certificate of Appropriateness
Justin Kirby, owner, 255 Wood St., described the plan to install mini-split systems in the house,
with the condenser outside, noting that some of the work parallels the utility lines that were
there, and the outlet to the condenser is where the inlet was for the old oil tank in the basement.
He stated that the basement window had been painted over in the past and the condenser is in
front of it. He stated there are 4 interior wall units that have items on the outside of the building
and are covered by paintable trim, and the paint can match house color.
Sean Davan noted that the work was done without permits and has been completed. Justin Kirby
stated that the contractor didn’t know permits were needed, they have applied for the HVAC
permit and it is on hold pending the results of this meeting. He stated they are also doing interior
work, which has now been permitted. It was noted that the photographs submitted don’t
accurately depict the views further along the street,and are close up photos.
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Sean Davan asked if there was consideration given for putting the condenser at the back of the
house rather than the front. Justin Kirby stated it had been considered, but the efficiency
decreases the further it gets from the unit. Sean Davan stated that had this come before the
Commission, he would have recommended that it be put on the back of the house. He stated that
a paint job on the ductwork might be good for a few years and a shrub might be good for awhile,
but the problem is that there is no guarantee that the next owner will follow through with that
compliance. He stated it is a permanent install on a house that has been there since 1839. He
recommended that it be moved to the back of the house.He stated that given the grade and
height of the condenser it is very visible, and moving it would keep the integrity of the historic
district, which is what one buys into when buying an old house in such a district.
The Commission discussed plantings for screening,and it was noted that there is a steep grade
and it is a location with little sun. In response to a question, Justin Kirby stated that the
venting/ductwork out the outside of the house could run inside the wall, as there is no insulation
in there right now. He asked about building a small structure to screen the condenser, painted the
same color as the house. Paul Larter stated that he found the ductwork on the exterior to be more
distracting than the condenser unit. The pros and cons of a structure and landscaping for
screening were discussed.
It was the consensus of the Commission that the owner should talk about the condenser unit with
the installer and come up with some designed options for review, including: 1) moving the
condenser to the back of the house; 2) plantings for screening; and 3) an enclosure. The
Commission decided to meet on May 25 at 7 pm to review these options.
Project Updates
221 Wood Street - There were no updates from the Building Dept. or others on this project.
Chair Davan will draft a letter to the owners asking about their timetable for building and
inviting them to a meeting to discuss the project.
Mr. Nation left the meeting at this time.
Minutes
The Commission reviewed the draft Minutes of the February 8, 2021 meeting. Nancy Peters
moved to approve the Minutes of the February 8, 2021 meeting, and the motion was seconded by
Tina Berlad. Roll Call Vote: Sean Davan - Yes; Paul Larter - Yes; Tina Berlad - Yes; Nancy
Peters - Yes; Sharon O’Reilly - Yes.
Tina Berlad moved to adjourn the meeting, and the motion was seconded by Paul Larter. Sean
Davan - Yes; Paul Larter - Yes; Tina Berlad - Yes;Nancy Peters - Yes; Sharon O’Reilly - Yes.
Adjourned: 7:58 PM
Approved: May 25, 2021
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Documents used at the meeting:
●Application for Certificate of Appropriateness and supporting documents, 255 Wood Street
●Draft Minutes of the 2/8/21 meeting
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