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Lexington Historical Commission
Meeting Minutes
October 18, 2023
Meeting Conducted by Remote Participation
Commissioners Present: Robert Rotberg, Chair, Marilyn Fenollosa, Diane Pursley, Susan Bennett.
Commissioner Absent: Wendall Kalsow
Associate Commissioners Present:
Associate Commissioner Absent: David Kelland.
Staff Present: Siqing Pan, Department Assistant
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Chair Robert Rotberg called the October 18 Historical Commission meeting to order at 6:58 pm.
AGENDA ITEM #1: Approval of meeting minutes
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Ms. Bennett made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting held on September 20, 2023 as
edited. Ms. Fenollosa seconded. Motion carried. All in favor.
AGENDA ITEM #2: 48-52 Lowell Street, revised Form B
Ms. Fenollosa made a motion to approve the revised Form B 48-52 Lowell Street provided that
photograph of the chimney be attached in the form submitted to the MHC online. Ms. Pursley
seconded.
Roll Call Vote:
Ms. Fenollosa – Yes,
Ms. Pursley – Yes,
Ms. Bennett – Yes,
Mr. Rotberg – Yes,
Motion carried 4 to 0.
AGENDA ITEM #3: Annual request for CPA funding for town records (Town Archivist – Lee
Yates)
Lee Yates, Town Archivist, requested a support letter from Historical Commission stating those conserved
volumes town records were historically significant.
Ms. Fenollosa made a motion that the Historical Commission find these four documents to be
historic resources within the language of the community preservation action, and therefore, eligible
for funding. Ms. Bennett seconded.
Roll Call Vote:
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Ms. Pursley – Yes,
Ms. Bennett – Yes,
Ms. Fenollosa – Yes,
Mr. Rotberg – Yes,
Motion carried 4 to 0.
AGENDA ITEM #4: Legal Notice Publish on Lexington Observer
Historical Commission discussed putting legal notice advertisements into Lexington Observer. This
discussion will continue at the next meeting.
AGENDA ITEM #5: Public Hearing regarding Preservation Restriction Review (Windows and
doors replacement) at 110 Shade Street
APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Mittal Vikram & Sheilaja Vikram, Homeowner
ABUTTER(S) PRESENT:
DOCUMENT(S):
Individual Building Form from Lexington Comprehensive Cultural Resources Survey: dated August 29, 2023
Photos of existing structure: dated August 29, 2023
Legal Advertisement Authorization Form: August 29, 2023
Journeys End – HC Letter 2023 09 09: dated September 19, 2023
Preservation Restriction – 110 Shade St: October 13, 2023
SUMMARY:
Mittal Vikram, homeowner, explained the proposed window replacement plans at 110 Shade Street.
The Commission reviewed the proposed window replacement plans and suggested how best to restore the
windows.
Mr. Vikram stated that he agreed to continue this hearing at the November HC meeting with more details.
No Public Comments.
HC COMMENTS:
Mr. Rotberg advised that the Mr. Vikram come back with more preservation architectural details .
MOTION:
Ms. Bennett made a motion to find that 110 Shade Street is subject to a preservation restriction,
approved by Massachusetts Historical Commission, and that we approve the replacement of
selected windows, patio windows, and the sunroom windows facing on the back elevation of the
house with the Marvin Essential Windows as outlined in the proposal by the applicant on the
condition that no other windows on the house be subject to any work at the present time. Ms. Pursley
seconded.
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Roll Call Vote:
Ms. Bennett – Yes,
Ms. Pursley – Yes,
Ms. Fenollosa – No,
Mr. Rotberg – No,
Motion failed 2 to 2.
AGENDA ITEM #6: Public Hearing regarding the partial building demolition (Windows and doors
replacement) at 20 Barberry Road
APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: David Kessler & Judith Kessler, Homeowner
Joseph MacGregor, Contractor
ABUTTER(S) PRESENT:
DOCUMENT(S):
Homeowner Letter: dated September 18, 2023
Photos of existing structure: dated September 18, 2023
Legal Advertisement Authorization Form: dated September 18, 2023
Kessler Historic App: dated September 18, 2023
SUMMARY:
David Kessler & Judith Kessler, homeowners, and Joseph MacGregor, Contractor, explained the proposed
window replacement plans at 20 Barberry Road.
The Commission reviewed and approved the proposed plans at 20 Barberry Road. Robert Rotberg did not
vote on this application because he is an abutter of this property.
No Public Comments.
HC COMMENTS:
The Commission approved the proposed window replacement plans at 20 Barberry Road.
MOTION:
Ms. Pursley made a motion to find that 20 Barberry Road preferably be preserved, and that
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proposed window replacement plans presented on the October 18, 2023 HC meeting were
appropriate and consistent with the historic value of the house. Ms. Bennett seconded.
Roll Call Vote:
Ms. Fenollosa – Yes,
Ms. Bennett – Yes,
Ms. Pursley – Yes,
Motion carried 3 to 0.
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AGENDA ITEM #7: Public Hearing regarding the partial building demolition and roof line change
(Additions to rear of the structure) at 7 Tewksbury Street
APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Colin Smith, Architect
ABUTTER(S) PRESENT:
DOCUMENT(S):
Homeowner Letter: dated September 19, 2023
Existing and Proposed elevations: dated September 19, 2023
Historical Information: September 20, 2023
Individual Building Form from Lexington Comprehensive Cultural Resources Survey: dated September 20, 2023
Photos of existing structure: dated September 20, 2023
Legal Advertisement Authorization Form: dated September 19, 2023
Owner Authorization Form: dated September 20, 2023
7 Tewksbury Architectural Drawings: dated September 20, 2023
7 Tewksbury Site Plan: dated September 20, 2023
SUMMARY:
Colin Smith, Architect, explained the proposed additions plans at 7 Tewksbury Street.
The Commission reviewed and approved the proposed additions plans to the rear of the structure at 7
Tewksbury Street.
No Public Comments.
HC COMMENTS:
The Commission approved the proposed additions plans to rear of the structure at 7 Tewksbury Street.
MOTION:
Ms. Bennett made a motion to find that 7 Tewksbury Street preferably be preserved, and that
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proposed addition plans to the rear of the structure presented on the October 18, 2023 HC meeting
were appropriate and consistent with the historic nature of the house. Ms. Fenollosa seconded.
Roll Call Vote:
Ms. Pursley – Yes,
Ms. Bennett – Yes,
Ms. Fenollosa – Yes,
Mr. Rotberg – Yes,
Motion carried 4 to 0.
AGENDA ITEM #8: Public Hearing regarding removal 44 Simonds Road out of HC Inventory
APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: John Mahoney & Amaria Mahoney, Homeowner
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ABUTTER(S) PRESENT:
DOCUMENT(S):
None
SUMMARY:
John Mahoney & Amaria Mahoney, homeowners, requested to remove their home at 44 Simonds Road
from the HC Inventory given future proposed additions construction.
The Commission suggested a review to architectural plans of proposed additions at a future meeting.
AGENDA ITEM #9: Public Hearing regarding the partial building demolition (residing) at 20
Highland Avenue
APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Mark Connor, Neighbor
Enqiang Lin, Homeowner
ABUTTER(S) PRESENT:
DOCUMENT(S):
Proposed siding cedar plans: dated October 16, 2023
Cedar Siding Proposal: dated October 16, 2023
SUMMARY:
Mark Connor, neighbor of 20 Highland Ave, explained the updated proposed plans for 20 Highland
Avenue.
The Commission reviewed the proposed plans for the structure at 20 Highland Avenue.
No Public Comments.
HC COMMENTS:
The Commission reviewed the updated siding replacement proposal and approved the proposed cedar
clapboards, PVC/Azek window trim with band molding and sill, and PVC round corner board
replacement. Ms. Bennett stated that she would prefer to see that the ram head pediment and columns of
front entrance be replaced with wood materials. This application will continue in November HC meeting
with the details of the door design as well as the type of wood to be used.
No Public Comments.
MOTION:
Ms. Bennett made a motion to find that 20 Highland Avenue preferably be preserved, and to
approve the installation of cedar clapboards, window trims, sills, and corner boards with the
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substitute materials as presented at the meeting on October 18, 2023, and then to ask the applicant
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to return with a more detailed presentation of the front door elements preferably in wood. Ms.
Pursley seconded.
Roll Call Vote:
Ms. Pursley – Yes,
Ms. Bennett – Yes,
Ms. Fenollosa – Yes,
Mr. Rotberg – Yes,
Motion carried 4 to 0.
AGENDA ITEM #10: Input from the public on other matters
None
AGENDA ITEM #11: Executive Session
The Historical Commission moved to go into executive session to discuss possible litigation.
AGENDA ITEM #12: Adjourn
The Commission made a motion to adjourn at 9:57pm. Motion carried. All in favor.
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