Arlington Historical Commission
Minutes of the Meeting of Tuesday,
1 April 2003
Whittemore-Robbins House, 7:30 PM
Call to Order: Robert Botterio, presiding, with commissioners Jane Becker, Patrick Guthrie, Eric Stange, Michael Ruderman, and JoAnn Robinson; also former commissioner Richard A. Duffy.
Review of minutes of 4 March 2003: approved.
Communications Received-first, from Mr. Botterio:
Historical marker follow-up: the Town has a sign painter who can produce them for us.
The “special places” home-rule petition will come before Town Meeting (opening Monday, April 28) as Article 8.
Ms Robinson reports that she was consulted by representatives of the Dallin Museum for her recommendations on cleaning various statues owned by the Town. We will continue to follow this matter next month in the agenda under Related Activities.
Related Activities of other Town Boards (Historic Districts, Preservation Fund, Zoning, By-Law Review, Community Preservation Act Study Committee, others)
Projects proceeding under Hearings and Approvals:
1167 Mass. Ave. (Mirak) 9/00: Botterio-no information
23 Maple Street (Town of Arlington)11/00: Robinson-no information.
35 Bailey Road (Weil): Botterio-completed.
3-5 Brattle Street (Fertman) 4/02: Stange-roofing in progress.
1 Kensington Road (Rowe) 7/02: Botterio-front porch railings still to be changed?
5-11 Water Street (Rowe, tr’ee. of Waterpower Trust) 7/02: Botterio-no activity.
22 Brantwood Road (Blass) 1/03: Stange-work begun.
30-32 Addison Street (Pitts) 3/03: Ruderman-interior demolition and exterior sheathing work.
Continuing Projects
Whittemore-Robbins House (and outbuildings): Botterio-exterior painting bids out.
Arlington Civic Block Garden: Robinson-fountain rebuilding awaits contractor’s schedule.
Inventory Expansion and Review: Mr. Duffy presented a draft of a cover letter for sending to homeowners, explaining the process of researching and adding their properties to the Inventory. The commission is still waiting for Massachusetts Historical Commission acknowledgment of our submission of inventory forms for 18 new properties, and documentation on 8 others previously included, all according to Mr. Duffy’s customary and exemplary research.
In light of the May 5 special town meeting to discuss the work of the Symmes Advisory Committee, the commission vote unanimously (Ms. Robinson’s motion, and Mr. Ruderman’s second) to place upon the Inventory the Symmes Nurses’ Building and the original Hospital Building; research and documentation for MHC concurrence to be forwarded to Boston at the earliest opportunity.
Education/Outreach, Website: Stange-website designer engaged.
Old Schwamb Mill: Ruderman- Dr. Raymond Lum, chairman of the Mill trustees, related to Mr. Ruderman that the plans for fashioning an interior staircase were presently suspended. Additionally. Mr. Lum said the Mill was negotiating with a possible tenant for the second-story commercial space whose tenancy would not require segregated access and egress, apart from the first-story museum operations.
New Business
8:00 PM: Formal Hearing: 29 Academy Street (Jane Becker and James Benn, petitioners)
The petitioners presented their plans, produced by Martha Penzenik Architects (635 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington) for raising up the rear (northwesterly) wing of their house to two stories, while keeping it a subordinate mass to the two-and-one-half story principal structure fronting on Academy Street to the south-east. Commissioners discussed with the petitioners various solutions to old roof line with the new, while lauding the overall design for its use of like materials and details. The commission voted 5-0 to approve the plans as submitted (Becker abstaining), with Ms. Robinson to act as monitor, and to assist in resolving the question of flat or peaked roof on the addition with the petitioners. In particular, the commission approves
the use of like materials (wood “two-over-two” windows, wood gutters and clapboards) to match the existing;
a cement-veneer foundation covering to resemble granite; and
the moving of the garage on the property to the limit of the rear setback for a flammable-sheathed structure.
8:45 PM: Formal Hearing, 128 Brattle Lane (Louise Ivers, petitioner)
Ms. Ivers discussed a range of contemplated improvements to this vernacular structure, heavily modified in surface appearance since its 19th century construction for workers’ housing. Presently, the house has asbestos shingles and aluminum windows and a second-story door (where a window was once located) on the facade over the porch. The petitioner did not have plans, sketches, or diagrams of the proposed repairs; therefore, this hearing was continued until the commission’s next regular meeting on May 6 at 8:00 PM.
In one other item of new business, Ms. Robinson shared copies of articles on historic preservation. The commission considered planning a joint meeting with the Historic Districts Commission or other invited participants on the goals and procedures of historic preservation in our community.
Next meeting confirmed for May 6, and this meeting closed at 10:00 PM.
For the Arlington Historical Commission,
A. Michael Ruderman, Commissioner
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