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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-07-06-HC-min.pdf THE LEXINGTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02173 MEETING Room G5 July 6, 1977 Lexington Town Office Building 7:30 PM Voting Members Present: Anne Grady (Chair) , Sara Chase, Elizabeth Reinhardt, Norma Bogen Guests: None The meeting was called to order at 7:45 by Anne Grady. NEW MEMBER Ms. Grady welcomed Ms. Bogen, a new member of the Commission appointed by the Town Manager for a three year term. MINUTES The minutes of the May 4 meeting of the Commission were circulated and approved. INVENTORY Ms. Reinhardt stated that progress on the Inventory is continuing. Two teams of volunteers have completed the Parker St. area and are now working on the Meriam St. area. The Munroe and Follen Hill area will be getting underway soon. A letter from the Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) has pointed out that, in addition to buildings, any archeological/historic sites of significance will have to be identified as part of the Inventory. This includes remains of buildings or structures (old mills, for example) , burial grounds, and battlegrounds. A letter from the MHC, dated 6/24/77 has indicated that applications to the National Register will not be entertained until the Inventory has been completed -- unless a building is threatened. LEXINGTON Ms. Grady circulated the Winter/Spring issue of OLD ARCHITECTURE TIME NEW ENGLAND which includes an article by Ms. Reinhardt and Ms. Grady, "Asher Benjamin in East Lexington, Mass." (pp. 23-35) . MASS. AVE./ Ms. Grady reviewed the situation relating to the proposed PLEASANT ST. traffic light at the intersection of Mass. Ave. and TRAFFIC LIGHT Pleasant St. and the recommendations of the MHC and the Historic Districts Commission. The Engineering Dept. is being asked to work out any differences with the MHC. Members of the Commission pointed out the importance of safety as well as the importance of the historic character of the area. Ms. Bogen suggested that the Design Advisory Group might assist in the design process. Ms. Grady will contact John Davies, a member of the Historic Districts Commission as well as the DAG, on this matter. HISTORIC It is likely that legislation will be proposed to include DISTRICTS the Hancock School in the Historic District. Members LEGISLATION of the Commission felt that it would also be useful if more control over landscaping could be included in the legislation. Ms. Reinhardt thought that the best strategy would be to suggest this first to the Historic Districts Commission before taking other steps. Ms. Grady has written to the Rhode Island and Maine Historical Commissions for information on their experience relating to landscaping and will also ask the National Trust for possible models. FLYER Drawings prepared by Mr. Morehouse for inclusion as a flyer with Town water bills were viewed by the Commission members. It was suggested that a somewhat different format could be used and that the written material might be reworked. Ms. Grady will work with Mr. Morehouse on this. GRANT REQUEST MHC has recommended that the Lexington Historical Commission pursue other sources of funding for its Educational Program Proposal since MHC is currently using its funds to encourage proposals that emphasize inventories. Grady, Reinhardt, Chase, and Bogen voted that this should be done. MAPC SUBREGIONAL The letter dated dune 14, prepared by Ms. Chase, sent PROGRAM to Rep. Counihan by Ms. Grady as input to MAPC's Sub- regional Program was reviewed and approved. The letter stressed the need for land use planning to preserve historic sites and buildings, the importance of the development of policies to encourage the adaptive reuse of older structures, and the desire to stimulate grass roots support of planning for preservation. HANCOCK SCHOOL Ms. Chase reported on the activities of the Hancock School Committee. Several proposals for the reuse of the building have already been submitted. The Commission's recommendations for Preservation Restrictions have been presented to the Committee. The Committee has agreed that there should be restrictions, but no conclusions have been made as to the form of the restrictions. There seems to be general agreement at present, however, that the Town will continue owner- ship of the building and lease rather than sell it. This would permit a greater degree of control . The question was raised in the Committee as to who would enforce restrictions until such time as the building was included in the Historic District. MEETING OF It was voted that at least one member of the Commission NATIONAL TRUST attend the Annual Meeting of the National Trust in Mobile in October. EAST LEXINGTON Ms. Bogen suggested that Community Development Block Grant Funds might be used to fund a rehab program for East Lexington. This is one means of preserving the character of the area. WILSON PROPERTY Ms. Grady reported that Mr. Morehouse spoke at a public meeting held by the Planning Board relating to a sub- division proposal for land owned by D. Wilson between Fern St. and Fallen Road. Mr. Morehouse spoke of the significance of the 1893 Wilson homestead, a Greek revival farmhouse which has come through the years sub- stantially unaltered. (Note: The subdivision proposal was turned down by the Planning Board. ) NEXT MEETING It was voted that the next meeting of the Commission will be in September, the date to be announced later. The meeting was adjourned at 9:30. Norma Bogen