HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-06-23 •
HISTORIC DISTRICTS COMMISSION
June 23, 1976
A meeting of the Historic Districts Commission was held on Wednesday,
June 23, 1976, at 7:45 P.M. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office
Building. Present were Commissioners Wilbur M. Jaquith, Chairman; Georgia
H. Williams, Secretary; Amalia G. Samoylenko, S. Lawrence Whipple; and
Associate Commissioner Oliver F. Hooper who was appointed to serve for
Commissioner Thomas J. Holzbog.
A discussion was held with Paul J.McCormack regarding fencing to be
installed behind 1620 Massachusetts Avenue. At 8:15 P.M. the legal notice
and application for this fencing were read and the hearing was offically
opened. Mr. McCormack submitted plot plans and stated they propose a 5'
high stockade fence 75' back from the Avenue behind the Burgess property
on Wallis Court and about 5'-6' in front of the property line. bir. Burgess
stated that he would prefer a 6' high fence and also that he would prefer
a natural wood color or stain for the fence. htr. hlcCormack said that the
fence would run gpproximately 125' to the Ring's property at 24 Vine Brook
Road. He also stated that the rounded part of the fence would be on the
Burgess side of the proposed split rail fence. Mr. Jaquith reminded Mr.
McCormack that, if they wish to remove the barn, they need a Permit from
the Commission. hlr. Hooper asked why need the fence, and Mr. McCormack
said that digging out the stone retaining wall behind the property has
opened up the area. He__ had discussed a type of shrub screening with the
Burgesses, and it was finally decided on a stockade fence. He added that
they have put down a treated stone driveway. The hearing was closed at
8:40 P.M. Then the. Commission discussed the three signs already installed
on the porch of the building which are all constructed differently. It was
requested that someone from The Threaded Needly and either Mr. McCormack or
Ptr. Dailey attend the June 30th meeting at 9:00 P.M. to discuss the signs.
A hearing was held at 8:45 P.M. with James Freeman, President of ~
Jefferson Union, which has recently purchased the building at 789 Massachu-
setts Avenue, which is within the East Village District. Mr. Freeman sub-
mitted plot plans and scale drawings of the proposed free standing sign
which is slightly smaller than the existing sign and will require a Board
of Appeals hearing which will determine height from ground level. The sign
will be about 5' in from both the sidewalk and the driveway. Discussion
was held on the wording, and the hearing was adjourned at 9:10 P.M.
A hearing was held at 9:15 P.M. on the application of Russell Square
Condominium Trust with respect to erection and display of signs and for the
installation~f wood screen doors on the units. Robert Snyder, Treasurer,
and Mr. and hlrs. William Wildes of unit 3 represented the owners along with
the clerk of the Commission who is owner of unit 7. Robert Callahan discused
the proposed signs and stated that this is a dual request for wood signs
and possibley to change to cast aluminum plaques on posts. The signs pro-
posed would be painted to match the body of units 1 - 4 with cream letters.
Mr. Snyder said that the immediate need is for identification and that per-
haps some time in the future would like to change to bronze or aluminum
signs. Mr. Jaquith noted that the visibility is not as good as with wood.
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June 23, 1976 - page 2
Alr. Jaquith asked why 4' sign on Woburn Street and smaller one on Fiassachu-
setts Avenue, and hlr. Callahan said that one on Woburn Street is for noting
by autos and the one on the Avenue is very close to a tree. Drawings of
the proposed doors were then presented and Mr. Jaquith asked if the doors
were all the same size. Mr. Wildes said that the doors of units 3 and 4
were larger but that they did not want a door and did not believe that the
owners of unit 4 did either. It was decided to approve the screen doors
painted to match the trim.
Mr. Jaquith asked Mr. Packard to work with Mr. Holzbog re initiating
a change in the Sign By-Law so that free standing and hanging signs might
be allowed without requiring a Board of Appeals hearing as the Board of
Appeals has been opposed to both types of these signs..
Ernest Giroux of Minute Man Park Realty Trust has applied for darker
fascia board and has submitted green and gray samples of paint for the rear.
A public hearing was held last night on traffic lights at the Pleasant
Street - Massachusetts Avenue intersection. The consensus is that something
needs to be done at that intersection.
It was VOTED to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness to Ben Bertini
with respect to exterior architectural channes to the dwelling at 1341
Massachusetts Avenue, which is within the Munroe Tavern District.
It was VOTED to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness to Bridget M.
Cotter with respect to exterior architectural changes to the dwelling at
898 Massachusetts Avenue, which is within the East Village District.
It was VOTED to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness to William
Robert Permain with respect to the erection and display of a sign on the
building at 6 Muzzey Street, which is within the Battle Green District.
It was VOTED to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness to Ong Ong, Inc.
with respect to exterior archtiectural changes to the building at 21-25
Depot Square, which is within the Battle Green District.
It was VOTED to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness to Russell
Square Condominium Trust with respect to installation of screen doors on
all units except 3 and 4 at 1505 Massachusetts Avenue, which is within the
Munroe Tavern District.
It was voted to pay three bills as follows: Goodwin, Proctor & Hoar -
$7.50 (Mr. Jaquith abstained); Barbara Gilson - $79.15' and Wilbur M.
Jaquith for photos - $4.20 (Mr. Jaquith abstained).
Georgia H. Williams
Secretary