1976-04-22 - Laserfiche WebLink

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' ~ • HISTORIC DISTRICTS CObiM2SSI0N April 22, 1976 A meeting of the Historic Districts Commission was held on Thursday, April 22, 1976, in the Selectmen's Meeting Room. Present were Commissioners Wilbur M. Jaquith, Chairman; Georgia H. Williams, Secretary; S. Lawrence Whipple; and Associate Commissioners Oliver F. Hopper who was appointed to serve for Commissioner Thomas J. Holzbog, and Amalia G. Samoylenko, who was appointed to fill the vacancy. A hearing was held at 8:35 P.M. on the application of the Town of Lexington for a Certificate with respect to the erection of a new flagpole on the Battle Green, which is within the Battle Green District. Present were Emanuele Coscia, Acting Director of Public Works, and Peter Chalpin, Senior Engineer, representing the Town; Richard Michelson, President, and Tony Mancini,. Clerk of the Bicentennial Corporation; Elizabeth Reinhardt, Chairman, and Anne Grady of the Historical Commission; Roland Greeley, President of the Lexington Historical Society; biarjorie Weerts of 1906 Massachusetts Avenue; and Martin Gilman. Also included in the application was a request for two commemorative plaques, one on the crosstree and one at the base of the flagpole. The Selectmen have signed a contract with B. A. Larson Co. of Bedford for a new flagpole which will be an exact replica of the existing except not of wood and the bottom will not be tapered but cylindrical. The first section will be 22" in diameter and a steel tube about 14' in the ground. The flagpole will be 125' in height with 95' total at the base and a 44 1/2' section on top and will taper from 12 3/4" to 8 5/8" at the top. If can remove the existing pole which is encased in concrete, the new flagpole will be installed in the same location as the existing; if cannot remove, the new one will be located 15' behind- the existing pole. It is planned to remove the trestle tree and crate it and ship to New York to be duplicated in steel. It is hoped that the legend on the metal can be reused but will have profes- sionally redone if necessary. The base of the new flagpole may or may not be painted green, and the balance of the flagpole will be painted white amtone polymerice urethane finish. The-trestletree light will be-eliminated and lights will be put on poles on the Avenue and on Bedford Street as the effect is supposed to be superior. The halyard will be nylon rope with steel cable and vinyl coated. Bowlander in California who made the existing pole was contacted about making a replacement flagpole, and the two men who made the existing pole refused to make a new pole this size. Reynolds and Alcoa would not quote on the project, and no company is interested in making a pole of this size. Discussion followed on fiberglas flagpoles, but there is some question asto whether one this height would be satisfactory. For purposes of record Mr. Jaquith stated: 1. totally inappropriate 2. is appropriate 3. inappropriate but can be approved under hardship clause. Discussion followed on color and what could be done if the Commission decided steel not appropriate as wood used in 1700s, 1800s, and early 1900. A1r. Greeley noted that a flagpole of that size would have been inappropriate in 1775.