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HISTORIC DISTRICTS COMMISSION
A meeting of the Historic Districts Commission was held at 8:00 P.M.
on Wednesday, August 6, 198Q, in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office
Building, Lexington. Present xere Commissioners John R. Packard, Chairmani
Ann Wallace: S. Lawrence Whipple: and Associate Commissioners Linda J.
McAuley and Howard C. Nason,
At 8s10 P.M. Mr, & Airs. Thomas Fortmann presented a request for appro-
val of the installation of baked white aluminum combination windows through-
out their home at 5 Harrington Road. These were of a style familiar to the
Commission from other cases, and it was therefore YOTED tc approve the same.
At 8si8 P.M. the Town of Lexington, represented by Mr. James Crain of
the Board of Selectmen and Mr. Emaneuele Coscia, Manager of Planning and
Administration of the Department of Public Works, asked the Commission to
approve the installation of asphalt shingles on the roof of the Visitor's
Center on the Buckman Tavern grounds to replace the xooden shingles which
are badly deteriorated after 13 years. The applicants estimated that
asphalt shingles would cost $5000 to install, and new wooden ones $10,000,
They expressed the opinion that asphalt shingles would last longer and be
more resistant to dampness caused by several trees overhangir?g the building.
The Board of Selectmen unanimously endorsed asphalt shingles, and Mr. Crain
discussed their perennial problems in trying tv find the funds for all
desirable projects.
The members of the Commission were all quite firm in opposing asphalt
shingles. Mr. Whipple mentioned his discussions with officials of Minute-
man National Park about their preference for wood shingles on their build-
ings. Both he and Mr. Nason expressed an opinion that properly installed
wood shingles would last as long as, if not longer than, asphalt shinges,
even in a shady, moist area.
The Chairman mentioned that Mr. Davies, an architect and Commission
member, was quite emphatic that a gambrel roof like that of the Visitor's
Center needed wood shingles to soften the mof lines. He also thought the
Town srhould be willing to undergo extra expense for such an important
building, and that the Town should try to set an example for other appli-
cants in the support of the Commission's objectives. At the conclusion of
the hearing it was unanimously VOTED to disapprove the application.
At 8:38 P.M. Mra. Joan W. Webber presented a request for the installa-
tion of a bay window in her home at 1303 Massachusetts Avenue. There was
extensive discussion of the plans, but in the end it was felt that a bay
window did not belong on the facade of a colonial house, and it was
accordingly VOTED w-1 to disapprove the application, with Mr. Nason voting
in favor.
Historic Districts Commission - 2 - August 6, 1980
At 9:00 P.M. Lexington Center Realty Trust represented by Mr. Mark
Moore asked for an amendment to its certificate concerning an addition to
1760-62 Massachusetts Avenue. In essence, a door xas to replace one xin-
dox, and the Commission YOTED to approve the same. 4-0, Kith Mr. Whipple
abstaining.
After approving payment of bills for publication and the services of
Misa Gilson, the meeting xa.s adjourned at 9:ig P.M.
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John R. Packard
Chairman
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