Arlington Historical Commission
Minutes of the Meeting of Tuesday,
12 November 2002
Whittemore-Robbins House, 7:30 PM
Call to Order: Robert Botterio, presiding; with commissioners Patrick Guthrie, Pam Meister, JoAnn Robinson, Jane Becker, Michael Ruderman (accompanied by Julia Ruderman) for the first half of the meeting, and Eric Stange (accompanied by Barbara Costa) for the second half of the meeting.
Minutes of 1 October 2002: approved.
Communications Received-first, from Mr.Botterio: requests for determinations of applicability were received regarding work at 34 Thesda Street and 55 Beacon Street (neither of which is on the Inventory), and at 37-51 Mystic Street (work will not exceed the 25% threshold).
Mr. Timur Yontar, owner of 58 Bates Road, has requested a marker for his house; Mr. Botterio will assign the research.
Ms. Becker has examined the initial research from those interested in establishing a historic district on Academy Street. The majority of addresses are already inventoried, but few of these have the necessary documentation immediately at hand.
Discussions of Inventory status led to reconsideration of the Park Circle fire station, and to the building known as the former Nurses’ Quarters in the Symmes Hospital complex. Preservation tax credits could be available to the re-developer of either site for qualifying adaptive re-use, if the sites are designated as historically significant. Two votes were taken, each on Ms. Robinson’s motion and Ms. Meister’s second, and voted unanimously in the affirmative (6-0): “to research and inventory the Park Circle fire station” and “to research and inventory the Nurses’ Quarters building”. Mr. Botterio is instructed to place the these two addresses “at the top of the list” of research requests to be assigned to Mr. Richard Duffy,as previously discussed.
Ms. Robinson will include these sites in the discussions of Community Preservation Act study committee, in which she now serves.
Related Activities of other Town Boards (Historic Districts, Preservation Fund, Zoning, By-Law Review, others)
Ms. Robinson said the Community Preservation Act study committee will be meeting with the Permanent Town Building Committee.
Mr. Guthrie reported that the work financed through a Preservation Fund loan of $36,000 has begun at 3-5 Brattle Street.
Ms. Meister reviewed the latest revisions to the proposed by-law regarding Special Places. Commissioners debated at length the administrative procedures involved in such a by-law, and by what criteria the impact decisions would be made.
(Mr. Ruderman departs; Mr. Stange enters, and Mr. Guthrie kindly continues the taking of the minutes.)
Reports:
November 19th planning for Showing of “Murder at Harvard” continued….
Posters were made available for posting in local windows and storefronts. Electronic versions of the announcement post card will be distributed to commissioners and postings will be made on the town e-group. Additional promotional sources suggested included Diane Gutman for publication in Arlington Night Out – time permitting. Patsy will distribute flyers and the Regent Theater has the event listed on their web site. Calendar sections of the Advocate, Herald and Globe are listing the event.
Donations of refreshments will be made by Nelio’s, Trader Joe’s, and others. Flora will be contacted. A fruit plate is suggested as an alternative to cheese and crackers.
AHC will have a table manned by Bob. Books will be available for sale. AHC will sell tickets at the window. Patrick volunteered to help with the ticket sales. A roll of tickets will be purchased to account for number of attendees.
Program will have a five minute introduction, a showing of the film and concluding panel discussion for about one half hour. Eric and Melissa will introduce the film, Michael will emphasize the fundraising purpose of the showing. Eric observed that the movie plays the week of the murder.
Communications
Peg Spengler’s passing was noted as was the open house at the Old Schwamb Mill that she was organizing.
Reports
23 Maple Street: JoAnn and Patrick reviewed the architectural plans and forwarded a comment letter to Alan including a request for further review of details as siding is removed.
45 Fairview: no report
35 Bailey: Building is trimmed out. Probably will be complete by December meeting.
__ Kensington: Siding is underway. Roofing is on. Porch rail is not done yet.
___ Water Street: No construction as yet.
For the Arlington Historical Commission (with additions by Mr. Guthrie),
A. Michael Ruderman, Commisioner
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