HomeMy WebLinkAbout1959-10-08-HDC-MINS 6
Lot 71y:
Unit 0:
perma eh
commission
i
i
i
i
u
1
4
S _
F
=6:it#:
Permit 0: _ Oc Oobtr' $
Department: �®mmi'. �D®
$Decumeug
_ ' gin (�Rnt1 t - '
dRMrM �� .
' Notes of Historics District Commission meeting - Thursday night -
October 8, 1959
At 8:25 there was a meeting to elect a permanent chairman. The
members present and voting were Donald R. Grant, Chairman pro
tempore, Philip Parsonst secretary@ Reverend Floyd Taylor,
Edwin B. Worthen, Jr. and Donald E. Legro. Mr. Parsons made a
motion that Mr. Grant be elected as chairman inasmuch as he has
done such a fine job as chairman pro tempore. Reverend Taylor
seconded the motion. It was put to a vote and Mr. Grant was
�nniimoouussll�y elected. Mr. Grant accepted the chairmanship, ztx
Mr. Worthen then asked Mr. Grant if there was any money due
Mina. DRG said he would find out what period of time her last
voucher covered - ought to be able to make some kind of an esti-
mateg and that her executor, Harold Stevens, should be able to
help. Mr. Worthen questioned as to whether she had been paid
her salary in full and when she was last paid - or when she last
billed the Commit%ee. He also asked about the funds of the Com-
mitte, "do we need any more money?".
About this point Associate Members Charles H. Cole and Carly E.
Bryant joined the meeting - and Mr. Legro withdrew (sitting as
an observer the rest of the evening). Reverend Taylor left the
meeting at 8:29 and Mr. Cole took his place. Mr. Bryant took
Mr. Legrofs seat, at 8:30.
Questions as to who would take Mina 's place as clerk. It was
suggested that Mr. Grant get in touch with Mrs. Stillman Wil-
liams$ who once filled in for Mina. She lives on Sheridan St.
Regular Meeting started at 8:30.
Minute Man Cab Company notice read by DRG. Applying for cer-
tificate of appropriateness in erection of a sign on 18?3 M
Mass. Ave. $ within the Battle Green District.
Mr. Durkin, owners was asked by DRG if he had any more questions
to ask and if the sign was the same as he had at the last meet-
ing. N. It is , and I have it in my car if you would like to
see it. )
DRG - what is the approximate size?
Mr. Durkin - 3 by 4,
DRG - questioned about the lighting he was going to use.
Mr. Durkin@ the same light that is there now. Will use the
colonial light on the side and remove the window. Would like
to use the same one there and move it above the window. One
light will cover the situation very well)
Mr. Worthen - what type of light is this?
Mr. Durkin - one singlg spot light.
-2-
Mr. Cole - Is this a par M 38?
Mr. Durkin agrees.
Mr. Cole liked the changed sign as well as the other one. Every-
one agreed.
Mr. Grant tells Mr. Durkin he is sorry for the delay. However
now everyone agrees on it and Mr. Grant entertained a motion of
acceptance. Mr. Bryant made motion, Mr. Cole seconded it. It
was a vote.
Mr. Durkin thanked Committee and left meeting at 8:35.
The next business to come before the meeting was the Minute Man
Auto Supply Co.
Mr. Batten and Mr. Comeau were at the meeting. Mr. Batten had
the sketch of the sign with him. DRG mentioned that because
the sign was different last time than one originally submitted,
the Committee wanted to make sure what Mr. Batten's authority
was and what Mr. Comeau's plans might be. Thought it was best
to have Mr. Comeau grant an extension of time to consider the
signq perhaps ironing out any difficulties.
Mr. Comeau and Mr. Batten, at the request of DRG9 stepped up to
the table and sat down. DRG put the sketch in front of the two
gentleman. Members of the Commitee looked at it.
Mr. Grant - One thing the Committee is question is the size of
the letters "Auto Supply" and some question was raised in our
discussion about the shading in of words.
Mr. Comeau - with a gray shading.
DRG - some thought that perhaps the letters ought to be regulated.
No shading on the words "Minute Mane.
Questions raised to possibility that all of the letters in the
sign might be the same block letter. We wondered how strongly
you might feel about this, Mr. Comeau, or whether you might be
willing to change it.
Mr. Comeau - "We deliberately separated this portion of the sign
from that portion That is why there is a second-place po-
sition. We try to sell auto supplies, not minute men. As far
as shading goes it can be black and white. I will go along with
that. Is this type of print acceptable?"
DRG - These block letters are definitely large.
Mr. Cole - Could they be thinner?
Mr. Comeau - Sure - fine.
Mr. Cole - same h&ight but thinner. (Mr. Cole measures the letters )
"They are f" wide. If they were 3" wide it might make a great deal
-3-
of difference. I had to leave the meeting last time, so I didn't
mention this then."
Mr. Worthen - We talked about 2-1/2 or 3 inches.
Mr. Comeau - What would ire a final dimentions that you would go
along with?
Mr. Cole - 2-1/2? (Mr. Cole draws'.and 111 ) "I am not going to
change the height. Just draw it as though it were 2-1/2. Gives
more background. (Cole shows committee a 2-1/2 inch letter)
"Three inches would be an inch less than what is drawn on the
sketch".
Mr. Comeau - I would rather have a thin, tall letter than a short
squatty letter. The maximum viewing angle across the street and
an approach of 30 degrees.
DRG brings up Giroux' sign.
Comeau - I will take dame height and 2-1/2 tenches.
DRG asks how letters scale out.
Cole : Says it is 17 (?)
Comeau - 16 by 2-1/2. O.K.?
DRG - black letteringg white background and gray border.
DRG questions construction.
Cole - Would it be a metal frame? Not to exceed 2 inches?
Cole - should not exceed 1-1/2 inches.
Batten - Has already constructed sign (reply to Mr. Grant's ques-
tion as to whether the above would be strong enough for frame).
Discussion of the lettering of "Minute Man". Batten says it has
already been painted anyway.
"IAJholesale Distributors" - block lettering but smaller dimension.
Cole - "Thinks it would look better the way I suggest." Tells
Batten he is sorry it has already been painted - but ----
Batten - within the building restrictions , . colors concerned
. . viewed the signs and they were Jaim black and white . . .
gambled and lost . . . did not know the Commitee would pass on
the shape and size of the lettering.
DRG questions Batten about 24 gauge metal. Brings up the last
sign, that was different. Approved second sign. Different from
description . . . would be in real trouble.
Comeau - Best way to do its speaking of sketch.
Batten: The sketch the Committee is looking at is the same
sketch of which we made copies for the Commission.
Cole: I think the sign is all rightq except for the minors but
important change suggested by the Committee
DRG: Asks for a motion
makes motion; Worthen seconds. Unanimous vote.
DRG: We will get out the certificate as soon as we can.
Comeau: Do we have to receive the actual papers before we can
add this on?T
DRG: Yes, but final paper will be in your hands the first of
the week.
Batten: Do I have to get a certificate from the Building De-
partment - and will the Committee's acceptance of dimen-
sions be o.k, with them?
DRG: Can't speak for Building Department.
(Mr. Legro intercedes with the information that the maximum
height allowed by Building Department is 3 feet.
DRG: Thanks Mr. Comeau for understanding and cooperation.
The Committee keeps one of the sketches (the one Mr. Cole drew
on) .
Batten: Is it safe to go ±zx up Monday for building permit?
(Mr. Cole reminds him of holiday on Monday)
sketch
Batten: Does copy of zx$tjttffa$a go to Building Committee?
DRG: They generally do. We send one to the Building Inspector
if there is enough to go around. The original is kept in
our files.
Batten: Does certificate go to building inspector?
DRG: Yes. If you have tracing it might facilitate matters if
you give one to us (this is in regard to the building in-
spector).
Messrs. Comeau and Batten leave the meeting at 9:00.
Mr. Cole brings up the copper gutter on the railroad station.
Has anything been done about it?
-5-
C'ole: If possible to paint itlit would be better.
Following remarks ensued about same :
Goes down to some dry wells.
Right down to the common.
off to the side.
Cole: There is a paint called Rusordum (?) guaranteed to stay
on cooper and aluminum.
Discussion about pain.
Discussion of silhouette of a minute man statue.
Cole and others agree it is not in good taste. Tyler dhould check
with the Commission. Douglas said he would not be bothered.
Wortbien: Wondered whether there was anything in the permit that
mentioned that. To be sure it is not exterior architectural
feature.
Bryant: Added something he did not have when he came ins which
is the same as Batten did.
At this points DRG asked what the certificate said.
Mr. Parsons gives various things to DRG.
DRG remembers nothing being sent out in the way of a certificate.
Owner is Cataldo - suggest that DRG write him.
Cole: Comment about criticisms being made by people saying that
some applicants leave meeting thinking things are all right
only to find something is wrong. A little more of the atti-
tude of the group should be given the applicant iaiafaax be-
fore leaving the meeting. Better policy to thrash things
out in front of applicant.
Certificate of station — expressly says ". would be painted
-white.
DRG suggests Worthen speak to Douglas - white on the gutter and
take Minute Man off. —z1kmtxx±
Worthen in turn says he has, with no results9 so he suggest Mr.
Grant write Cataldo a letter.
DRG dictates two certificates to JM for applicants of that even-
ing.
Further discussion: Western Union signs (2) in Durkin's office.
Decided to ask Durkin about these after he has his certificate.
DRG says he will call Durkin up some time next week.
Mr. Parsons questions DRG about whom to send bills to.
Meeting adjourned at 9:1+5.