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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20210105 - Historical Commission - Meeting Minutes1 Hopkinton Historical Commission Town of Hopkinton, MA Meeting Minutes January 5, 2021 7:00 pm Remote Meeting via Zoom Members Attending: Mike Roughan, Nanda Barker-Hook, Nancy Stevenson, Eric Sonnett, John Pavlov, Beth Watson Members Absent: James Haskins, Stacy Spies Also Attending: Scott and Mary Jo Hamilton 28 ASH STREET Mike: (to the applicants) Our objective this evening is to determine if we consider this property as historically significant. Mike explained that a structure comes before us if it is 75 years old or older. The criteria we use to determine if it is historically significant is if it’s architectural style is of significance, if it has historical significance connected with a person or persons, if it is part of a streetscape of buildings that would be visually impacted if it was removed, or if it is unique in and unto itself (As an example: an early 19th century cape-very few left) Do we feel this structure is Preferably Preserved? Feasible in HHC’s opinion. We try to negotiate with homeowner. Scott: We know a lot of people work with the HHC. We understand the process. We jumped the gun. The area is attractive to us. We want to move into that area. This building has structural problems. We understand the objective is to keep ambiance of the area. Our desire is to move into the center of Hopkinton when we retire. And we know there is a desire to expand the historic district. We have tried to accelerate due diligence before meeting with HHC. Eric:I drove by two times because it doesn’t look like a house that needs to be knocked down. Now that you have had time to think it through, are you sure that is what you want? Mary Jo: When we bought it, we realized structurally it was compromised. We want to try to maintain most features that are salvageable. Scott: Two other buyers pulled out of agreement. The barn has moved 8”. Our approach was we were attracted to it’s aesthetics, but have a new structure with the character of this house. Beth: Right now we are just deciding if it is Historically Significant. Mike: Structural info is premature to historical significance to the town. Beth: At this time, there are no plans to expand the Historic District into that area. Mary: This house is not in the historical district area? Beth: In 2018 we did a study. We decided to go down Main Street instead. Mary: Do you know what determines historical significance? 2 Mike: As was explained, the structure comes to us if it is 75 years old or older. The criteria we generally use is if it’s architectural style is of significance, if it has historical significance connected with a person or persons, if it is part of a streetscape of buildings that would be visually impacted if it was removed, or if it is unique in and unto itself. Nanda: I want to make a comment. I live on Grove. I run and walk my dog by your house every day. I once reached out to a realtor. I read the structural report. In terms of the historical significance, this is a typical house in this part of town. Same structure, profile, look. It is close to the center. Looks like it needs some work. I understand the barn is not safe, but it doesn’t appear to be as unsafe as you are implying. I think it should be considered historically significant. John: Was it recently purchased? I live at 15 ash. Our house was rougher, possibly rougher, than yours. We did a ton of work but maintained the character. Scott: We purchased it in December. Mary Jo: We went through the process. We knew we were going to renovate it until we got the structural report. We just want to maintain character. Mike: Our objective with today’s meeting is to determine if this house is historically significant, then we would weigh the structural information. Based on what you are saying, it sounds like it possibly won’t survive in its current condition. Scott: Is there anything we can do? Time line? Are there any things the HHC can provide to help us understand? Beth: Back in 2018 when we did the study, it included this property. Mike: I’m not speaking on behalf of the committee, but when the Chesmores wanted to replace the barn (with one almost identical to the original, and using parts from the original structure), they came to us with a complete architectural plan. Oral arguments are hard for us to substantiate. Beth: Also the barn is not the main structure. Mary: It this significance just because it is 75 years old? Nancy: The significance is more nuanced than the specific criteria. Mary: Will you repeat the preferably preserved criteria? Mike: After we have made a designation, I will email you the bylaw. Any other comments from the committee? John: Welcome to the neighborhood. You can see what our builder did to our house. Eric: I’ll make the motion to deem this as Historically Significant. Beth: I’ll second the motion. Mike: All in favor? John: yes Nancy: yes Beth: yes Nanda: yes Eric: yes Mike: yes 3 Mike: Unanimous approval. We need to inform the town. A public hearing will be set up. The meeting can be expected in 30 days. John: The meeting will be done by zoom. Scott: We can always have representation. Has the clock started? Mike: If we determine it is “preferably preserved,” the clock starts. We have to inform the neighbors. Nancy explained the time line. Mary: Do you need access to property? Mike: It is your choice. If you think what we see can sway our decision, it is your call. BILLBOARDS Mike copied the list serve for suggestions. Mike: All agree to not do anything about the billboards. They are not an occupied structure and possibly not 75 years old. SPRING STREET Eric: Landowner was not able to get a cost estimate for CPC funding this year. I am willing to come back if you are willing to try. Boston just authorized 3 private churches to get CPC funding. Nanda: Will this be the first time using CPC funds for a privately owned structure? Mike: Yes, in Hopkinton. Eric: It is not going to CPC in fiscal 2020? Mike: Correct. Not town meeting in 2021. She had no estimate of the cost. Nanda: When will the demo delay expire? Mike: 18 months. Good timing. Eric: It would help if owner has a use for the barn? An example, the McFarland Sanger House. She has to get her act together and have a good reason for asking for the funding. Mike: The barn has problems but we don’t have a lot of barns left-rotted sills. I think school kids would benefit from seeing an original barn. TERRY HOUSE Mike: I was invited by Scott to view house. They are all in support (orally) of keeping the front door and stoop. Have to move the stair. Easy to bring a ramp to side porch. Mike: The rise/tread proportion needs to be to code. If it is done in pieces, possibly it could be kept. Nancy: What about using the back stair? Mike: I haven’t seen docs from them. Eric: We have seen nothing since they signed the docs. Mike: We are brought in as an agent for CPC. 4 Eric: This is up to the Select Board because it is town property. Eric: We are the ones who brought up the issue that the rehabilitation needs to be as it was approved for funding. Initial plans looked to be lacking. Mike: We cannot the stop progress, just help it be achieved correctly. Eric: The CPC is not funding anything until HHC blesses it. Until you see it in a plan, it is just conversation. Nanda: What is our next expectation? Mike: Since I had a meeting with Scott, it is incumbent on me to ask Scott for updated drawings. CPC REVIEW OF CENTER SCHOOL WINDOWS Dave Daltorio asked Mike for qualified architects to repair windows. Beth: Stacy Spies is also looking into it. Mike: Because the property is in the Historic District, I suggest we turn this over to the Historic District as higher authority here. Eric: Dave Daltorio and Ken Weismantel met with Tom Burgess, an architect. They came to an agreement to do an analysis as to what the best solution is. CPC has agreed to pay for 50 percent and the town pay 50 percent. Beth: I would appreciate being copied on that communication. Beth: From the HHDC’s standpoint, they are the ones to approve things. But the HHC and HHDC work well together. I don’t see why the HHC can’t be involved. Eric: I think we should be working on this together. It is going to be very expensive to the town. Beth: Those windows are huge. Eric: The architect said windows and sashes are in good shape. John: I have a question. Is this for the historic part? Eric: There are forty two windows. Dave Daltorio got an estimate of 80K. Beth: Other parts of property don’t need the historic treatment like the front. Thomas Messi Cohen Baker architects. Reference from list serve. ANNUAL MEETING NARRATIVE FOR 2020 A volunteer? Mike volunteered. SECRETARY’S REPORT Minutes for 10/6/2020 presented for approval Eric: Motioned to approve. John seconded the motion. John-yes. Beth-yes. Nanda-yes. Eric-Yes. 5 Nancy-yes. Mike-yes. Minutes for 11/10/2020 presented for approval Eric: Motioned to approve. John seconded the motion. John-yes. Beth-yes. Nanda-yes. Eric-Yes. Nancy-yes. Mike-yes. Minutes for 11/16/2020 presented for approval Eric: Motioned to approve. John seconded the motion. John-yes. Beth-yes. Nanda-yes. Eric-Yes. Nancy-yes. Mike-yes. TREASURERS REPORT Treasurer Tim O’Leary put 1000 in budget for next year. Beth: motioned to adjourn John: seconded Unanimous approval. 8:10 pm Docs presented: Minutes for 10/6/2020, Minutes for 11/10/2020, and Minutes for 11/16/2020