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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-02-17-HC-min.pdf THE LEXINGTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION Lexington, Massachusetts 02173 MEETING Room G 5 February 17, 1977 Lexington Town Office Building 7:30 P.M. Voting Members Present: Chairman,Anne Grady, Sara Chase, Elizabeth Reinhardt, Richard Morehouse, Donna Brown. Guests; Mr. K. Briggs, Mrs. Holzbog, Mrs. Thomas, Mrs. Bradford, Meeting was called to order by Chairman, Anne Grady at 8:05 P.M. It was moved and seconded ( Chase, Reinhardt ) that the minutes of the Ded. Meeting be accepted. Unan. Mr. Kenneth Briggs was introduced by the Chair. As the Planning Director for the Town of Lexington, Mr. Briggs commented on his familiarity with Historic MR. BRIGGS Preservation. He has worked in Lowell in their preservation work. The Planning Dept. there identified properties and sites and did descriptions and histories of each. A Historical Commission was formed later which then went about placing on the National Register. The Lexington Planning Dept. would like to give creedance to our inventory and help in getting it before the public. The Department would like to know from our Commission haw they may best be of assistance. Mrs. Grady presented the Request for Grant in Aid for FY 1978. Although we don't have a plan in mind we should look at the State Plan. We should also be watching what is happening to land areas around the properties of interest GRANTS to the Commission. Most of the sites of Historical significance have been identified. Mr. Briggs feels that we are in a good position to recdive Federal funds for acquisition of land areas due to the Historic significance We discussed these funds in relation to the Hancack School. We also have many historical properties that are not owned or controlled by the Town or HANCOCK its agencies. We are not primarily interested in acquisition. Other than the possibility of the East Lexington Railroad Station, we do not have any properties that are threatened. Mr. Briggs advised us of some special types of zoning to protect a Historical THE LEXINGTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION Lexington, Massachusetts 02173 2. District. This is a very restrictive type of zoning where by limits can be placed by deed restrictions. The Town Planners are developing a new Master Plan dealing with several important needs. NEW 1. Housing for low and moderate income persons. (30,-40,000) perhaps MASTER by zoning for developers with a higher density, if the price range is PLAN more reasonable. 2. The so called Green and White 200 or so acres will have an important impact on the town. 3. Refuse 4. Purchase of Conservation land. 5. Recreation and Open Space. We discussed with Mr. Briggs the draft of our ideas in regard to preservation which may be included in the Master Plan. We were extended an invitation PLANNING to the Planning Board to add our input and explain our roll. Mr. Briggs BOARD extended the help of the Planning Board on any of our projects (publication) HELP We are considering making up a handout which may be included in the mailing of the water bills. We discussed the future of the old West farm house and the Ricci Farm. We are hoping that the farm land will continue to be farmed. In relation to a discu- ssion of the Hancock School with our guests, Mr. Morehouse stated that if FUTURE OF the use of the School is changed there would have to be many changes to bring BUILDINGS it up to current standards. The Fire Code Corp. will check buildings and AND mediate between owners and building inspectors for you. Other of the older PROPERTY schools were discussed as to their condition and safety. Our guests were of the opinion that the Hancock School should be kept as a school. Mrs. Chase advised,as an example, that the St. Mary' s Church in the North End was threatened with being demolished in favor of an elderly housing project. After research into the orign of the Church many people became concerned and fought to have the building saved. Using preservation to prevent intergration caused the Landmark Comm. to back off in suppott of the preservation of the Church. Mrs. Chase will ask Mr. Bruce McDugal if friends of a Building (Hancock) could ask for funds for consultant fees for an evaluation as to a use for the building, value, condition etc. . Mrs. Grady will find out if we should help people to make applications for Matching Fund Grants. (Mass Historical Society) She will also see what the MATCHING Federal budget for preservation is and get the Revolving Fund Booklet to GRANTS Mrs. Holtzbok. Mrs. Grady and Mr. Morehouse attended the hearing for the Bank which is re- designing the Melting Pot building. Both expressed their ideas as to the exterior appearance of the building in hopes some modifications will be made. THE LEXINGTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION Lexington, Massachusetts 02173 3. In response to Lexington' s Concerned Black Citizens Mrs. Grady will speak BLACK with the group and let them know that we are indeed interested in their help. CITIZENS Mrs. Grady announded that Preservation Week is May 8-14 and we are looking PRESERVATI©N for ideas. We will hope for some further input by our next meeting. WEEK At our next meeting we will look into our Preservation Plan and study the STUDY Metcalf & Eddy Repot to get a better idea what is in these plans. In- cluded in this evaluation would be the Growth Policy Statement . It was announced that March 31 at 7:30 P.M. there will be a presentation MEETING in Faneull Hall in regard to Preservation on the City Level. Information for the Commission will be passed from Mrs. Grady to Chase, Brown, Reinhardt, Morehouse. The SPNEA is having a meeting Monday, February 28 at noon concerning the impact small private groups can have on Preservation. Mrs. Grady and Mrs. Reinhardt will attend. The next meeting will be announced. This meeting adjourned at 10:09 P.M. Donna M. Brown Secretaty