HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-06-09
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HISTORIC DISTRICTS COMMISSION
June 9, 1976
A meeting of the Historic Disricts Commission was held on Wednesday,
June 9, 1976, in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building, Lexing-
ton. Present were Commissioners Wilbur Dt. Jaquith, Chairman; Georgia H.
Williams, Secretary; S. Lawrence Whipple; and Associate Commissioners Ruth
B. Adams and Oliver F. Hooper. Mrs. Adams was appointed to serve for Com-
missioner Thomas J. Holzbog and Mr. Hooper was appointed to serve for Com-
missioner Amalia G. Samoylenko. Mr. Jaquith then welcomed and introduced
John R. Packard as the new Associate Commissioner who was nominated by the
Lexington Historical Society to fill the vacancy created when Mrs. Samoylenko
was appointed a Commissioner
A hearing was held at 7:45 P.M. on the application of the Town of Lex-
ington for a Certificate with respect to the erection of an enclosed shelter
for the Police Department opposite the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue
and Waltham Street. Mr. Jaquith read the legal notice and application.
Police Chief James Corr submitted three photographs of the proposed shelter
and a plot plan of the area in which they wish to :.install said shelter.
He stated that the Telephone Company had donated a telephone booth which is
7'-1" in height, 33" wide, and 33" deep. He stated that they would remove
the word "telephone" and replace with the word "Police" in blue. The booth
is of aluminum with either glass or lucite on all four sides. Mr. Whipple
asked if the booth would b~Qited down and D1r.Corr answered that th thinks
they would have to try to bolt~t down to protect against vandalism. Mr.
Hooper asked if it would be pe manent or just installed for the winter
months, and Mr. Corr replied that they would like to have it installed year
around but would abide by the decision of the Commission. Dir. Jaquith said
that he felt it probably would be necessary to give them some leeway as to
location and added that he has no objection to the installation of this
shelter. Mr. Hooper asked if it could be painted any color, and Dlr. Whipple
said that he thinks it is better as it is. Dir. Jaquith asked if they cur-
rently plan to light the booth, and Mr. Corr said that they did not. Dtr.
- Jaquith asked if the word "Police" would be on all four sides and Mr. Corr
said that it would be. Mr. Jaquith asked if he_would like to have the Commis-
sion state it should be bolted down in the Certificate, and Dtr. Corr said
that he would like it specified, Mr. Corr said that he would supply better
information on the location and a photograph showing the store(s) behind
this proposed shelter. The hearing was adjourned at 8:05 P.M.
Dir. Jaquith then mentioned that Depositors Trust had erected a chain
link fence at the rear of the Bank and asked Chief Corr if there were any
problems in that area. Chief Corr replied that this was a trouble area,
and that they were called to that area at least 6-8 times a week.
Dlr. Jaquith said that, when the Minute Man Museum Certificate was issued,
he asked if they would like to choose or have the Commission choose~he loca-
tion for the parking sign. So far he has not heard from them.
Dir. Jaquith stated that Atty. William Dailey had been asked to come in
at 8:30 P.D1. re "The Threaded Needle" sign. The Clerk reported that the
owners would not be in this evening, & that the application had previously
been extended to July 15th.
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June 9, 1976 - page 2
Then followed a discussion of the wall in Ye Olde Cemetery behind the
First Parish Church which is made up of different parcels of land acquired
at various times. It is planned to cap with concrete as at present, and
there is no plan to clean the old brick as too expensive. It was stated
that, if they merely rebuild the wall, it may not be under the Historic
Districts Commission jurisdiction; but, if install new brick, then that is
a difference matter.
Then followed a discussion of the Revolutionary Monument. Mr. Whipple
said that he was told today that it is very difficult to get large pieces of
slate but can get imitation of slate. Anne Grady of the Historical Commis-
sion and Norman Weiss, a chemist and consultant to the Society for the Pre-
servation of New England Antiquities, met with the Commission to discuss
the problem of removing the paint from the monument. It might be possible
to apply paste with solvents in attempt to draw out the paint. Mr. Weiss ii
was hopeful that could restore to white stone. He said that it would take
several days and cost about $1,000. hir. Weiss noted that the marble tablet
is in remarkably good condition. Mrs. Adams asked if could recut the let-
ters,, and bir. Jaquith said that do not want to touch the letters. Mr. Weiss
said that if the paste with solvent did not work could paint the letters a ~
gray or that gold leaf letters could be used. Mr. Jaquith said that it
would be better to leave what is there than to replace the granite. Pir.
Weiss said that he felt there should be an explanatory note re the slate
stating that the original slate was replaced by marble in 1835. hir. Weiss
has submitted a proposal to the Selectmen. Mr. Jaquith said that, if attempt
to remove the black, it is not under the Commission's jurisdiction.
At 9:00 P.M. Robert Sacco of The Lexington Press met with the Commis-
sion to discuss changes to the building on Oakland Street. He would like
to begin by closing in every other window and insulating on the outside so
considering vinyl siding. There are 132 windows in the building. He would
retain the same gray color. The building, built in the late 1800's, is
solid with old 12" square beams. It was originally a shoe finding manu-
facturery and then some type of tanning business. It became a press about
1920. Mr. Sacco said that he would apply for a Certificate and would look
into other methods than vinyl as gather the Commission does not like vinyl.
It was stated that Ong Ong, Inc. would'not have to install a ramp. It
was VOTED to approve a Certificate for awning, rear ramp, and items on the
roof for Ong Ong, Inc.
John McSweeney's letter regarding three traffic lights and two triangle
sections at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Pleasant Street was
read and discussed-
It was VOTED to pay bill~for $190.10 to Hancock Press, $4.00 to Theatre
Camera for photographs, and $74.00 to Barbara Gilson for clerical services.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:10 P.M.
Georgia H. Williams
Secretary