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Home My WebLink About2025-12-17-HC-min.docx Lexington Historical Commission Meeting Minutes December 17, 2025 Meeting Conducted by Remote Participation Commissioners Present: Robert Rotberg, Marilyn Fenollosa, Susan Bennett, Diane Pursley. Commissioners Absent: Wendall Kalsow. Associate Commissioners Present: David Kelland. Associate Commissioner Absent: th Chair Robert Rotberg called the December 17, 2025 Historical Commission meeting to order at 7:00 pm. th AGENDA ITEM #1: Approval of meeting minutes of the meetings held on November 19, 2025 th Mr. Kelland made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting held on November 19, 2025 as amended. Ms. Fenollosa seconded. Motion carried with Ms. Pursley and Ms. Bennett abstaining. In favor, 3-0, chair voting in favor, AGENDA ITEM #2: Public Hearing regarding the Full Building Demolition at 25 Harding Road APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Frederick Gilgun, Attorney ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: None DOCUMENT(S): Homeowner letter: dated December 5, 2025 Individual Building Form from Lexington Comprehensive Cultural Resources Survey: dated November 18, 2025 25 Harding Road Submission Packet: dated November 18, 2025 SUMMARY: Frederick Gilgun, Attorney representing the property owner LL&R Capital, explained the proposed full building demolition for the structure at 25 Harding Road. He requested removing this property from the historical inventory. Mr. Gilgun stated that this historic property has lost historical integrity because of water damage and improper maintenance. No public comments. HC COMMENTS: The Commission agreed that this property has lost its historical and architectural integrity. Ms. Fenollosa stated that it is no longer appropriate to include this property in the inventory as a bungalow in the Manor Historic Area. MOTION: Ms. Fenollosa made a motion to remove the historic structure at 25 Harding Road from the Lexington Cultural Resources Inventory because it has lost its architectural integrity. Ms. Bennett seconded. Historical Commission 1 Roll Call Vote: Ms. Pursley – Yes, Ms. Fenollosa – Yes, Mr. Kelland – Yes, Mr. Bennett – Yes, Mr. Rotberg – Yes. Motion carried 5 to 0. Motion carried. All in favor. AGENDA ITEM #3: Public Hearing regarding the Full Building Demolition at 67 Lowell Street APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Martha Sevigny, Realtor ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: Frank & Janet Kern DOCUMENT(S): Homeowner letter: dated October 29, 2025 Historical Information: dated October 29, 2025 Individual Building Form from Lexington Comprehensive Cultural Resources Survey: dated October 29, 2025 Photos of original structure: dated October 29, 2025 Photos of existing structure: dated October 29, 2025 67 Lowell-Field Card showing updated: dated October 29, 2025 SUMMARY: Martha Sevigny, realtor, representing the owner Maryellen Leelman and Martin Leelman sought to tear down their historical home. Frank & Janet Kern, 72 Lowell St, expressed their concerns regarding the demolition of this historical structure. Ms. Kern stated that this property was an important part of their neighborhood history. HC COMMENTS: Ms. Pursley stated that this house was well-maintained and a typical bungalow historical structure. Ms. Fenollosa stated that this structure is one of her favorite bungalows in the Town of Lexington. This historical structure was used as the example of bungalow-style home when the architectural style guide to houses in Lexington was created. The photos of this home were listed on the website because it was such a perfect storybook example of a bungalow. Ms. Fenollosa urged the owners to find a way to keep this structure if they possibly could. MOTION: Mr. Kelland made a motion that the historic building at 67 Lowell Street was historically significant and to impose a 21-month demolition delay. Ms. Fenollosa seconded. Roll Call Vote: Ms. Fenollosa – Yes, Mr. Kelland – Yes, Ms. Pursley – Yes, Historical Commission 2 Mr. Bennett – Yes, Mr. Rotberg – Yes. Motion carried 5 to 0. Motion carried. All in favor. AGENDA ITEM #4: Public Hearing regarding the Partial Building Demolition (Relocation) at 419 Marrett Road APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Owen Curtin, Owner Amy Griffin, Trustee 419 Marrett Road John Clemson, Historical Consultant Martha Sevigny: Realtor ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: DOCUMENT(S): th Historical Information: dated November 5, 2025 Individual Building Form from Lexington Comprehensive Cultural Resources Survey: dated November 5, 2025 Photos of original structure: dated November 5, 2025 Photos of existing structure: dated November 5, 2025 Structural Engineer’s report: dated November 5, 2025 Joseph_Bridge_HC_Proposal: dated November 5, 2025 451 Lot 3 B: dated November 5, 2025 451 Marrett EX Survey: dated November 5, 2025 419 Save Layout: dated November 5, 2025 Stamped-Decision-419-439 Marrett – Planning Board: dated April 10, 2025 451 Marrett Land Survey: dated December 12, 2025 Husk Preservation Proposal: dated December 12, 2025 Joseph_Bridge_House_proposal: dated December 12, 2025 Martha Savigny letter: dated December 12, 2025 Marvin Wood DH Window: dated December 12, 2025 SUMMARY: Mr. Curtin presented his plans for the removal of the historic Joseph Bridge house at 419 Marrett Road to a new site at 451 Marrett Road. HC COMMENTS: Ms. Bennett reiterated that the 21-months demolition delay was lifted only on the condition that the house th be dismantled and reconstructed according to the plans presented during December 17, 2025 Historical Commission meeting. The Commission reviewed and approved lifting the 21-month demolition delay expiring on September th 19, 2026 on the structure at 419 Marrett Rd and to support Mr. Curtin’s intentions to relocate and preserve this house at the new site at 451 Marrett Rd in an architecturally and historically appropriate way under the following conditions: 1. the framing of the main block of the house would be meticulously dismantled, numbered and reassembled at the new site. The cladding, windows and doors would be demolished, as would the attached ells. Historical Commission 3 2. as many of the historic interior elements as possible would be preserved and reused, including doors and wall paneling. 3. the exterior of the house would be reconstructed following historic photos and other surviving period houses in the area, including appropriate window placement on the front elevation of the house. 4. period-appropriate construction materials would be used, including wooden clapboard siding (with appropriate exposure measurements) and windows (Marvin Historic series) 5. an addition would be constructed, most likely attached to the historic house via a mudroom, but the massing of the addition would in all respects be subordinate to the main reconstructed building, i.e. smaller in massing and height, set back from the main house, in a complimentary style and of like materials, etc. 6. a revised MHC Form B for the property would be completed, detailing the new construction plans and methodology. 7. qualified preservation specialists would be used for all aspects of the project. MOTION: Ms. Fenollosa made a motion that Historical Commission lift the 21-months demolition delay th expiring on September 19, 2026, to permit the relocation of the house from 419 Marrett Rd to a new site at 451 Marrett Rd subject to preservation of above conditions according to the plans and th specifications that had been presented to the Commission during December 17, 2025, meeting. Ms. Bennett seconded. Roll Call Vote: Ms. Fenollosa – Yes, Mr. Kelland – Yes, Ms. Pursley – Yes, Mr. Bennett – Yes, Mr. Rotberg – Yes. Motion carried 5 to 0. Motion carried. All in favor. AGENDA ITEM #5: Public Hearing regarding the Partial Building Demolition (Window replacement) at 23 Revere Street APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Steven Coval, Owner ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: None DOCUMENT(S): None SUMMARY: Steven Coval, owner, explained the proposed six street-facing window replacement plans for the historical structure at 23 Revere Street. HC COMMENTS: The Commission agreed to impose 21-month demolition delay on this property for proposed window replacement. Historical Commission 4 MOTION: Mr. Kelland made a motion to find 23 Revere Street historically significant and should be preserved and to impose 21-month demolition delay on the proposal to replace windows. Ms. Fenollosa seconded. Roll Call Vote: Ms. Fenollosa – Yes, Mr. Kelland – Yes, Ms. Pursley – Yes, Mr. Bennett – Yes, Mr. Rotberg – Yes. Motion carried 5 to 0. Motion carried. All in favor. AGENDA ITEM #6: Public Hearing regarding the Partial Building Demolition (Additions) at 32 Muzzey Street APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Daniel Hisel, Architect ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: None DOCUMENT(S): Homeowner Letter: dated November 19, 2025 Comparison of Existing and Proposed Elevations: dated November 19, 2025 Historical Information: dated November 19, 2025 Individual Building Form from Lexington Comprehensive Cultural Resources Survey: dated November 19, 2025 Photos of original structure: dated November 19, 2025 Photos of existing structure: dated November 19, 2025 32 Muzzey – Abutters Certificate: dated November 7, 2025 32 Muzzey – Site Plans: dated November 19, 2025 32 Muzzey – Renderings: dated November 19, 2025 32 Muzzey – Historic Commission Submission: dated November 19, 2025 32 Muzzey – Proposed Site Plan: dated December 3, 2025 SUMMARY: Daniel Hisel, architect, explained the proposed additions plans for the historical structure at 32 Muzzey th Street. A 21-month demolition delay has been imposed on March 19, 2025, for the full building th demolition of this historical structure expiring on December 19, 2026. HC COMMENTS: Ms. Bennett stated that the design was out of keeping with the preservation of the historic structure. Ms. Fenollosa stated that she does not feel comfortable with the combination of the old and new with all due respect. MOTION: Historical Commission 5 Ms. Bennett made a motion that Historical Commission not lift the demolition delay imposed on the th property at 32 Muzzey Street that was imposed on March 19, 2025, and that it remain in place. Mr. Kelland seconded. Roll Call Vote: Ms. Fenollosa – Yes, Mr. Kelland – Yes, Ms. Pursley – Yes, Mr. Bennett – Yes, Mr. Rotberg – Yes. Motion carried 5 to 0. Motion carried. All in favor. AGENDA ITEM #7: Lexington Preservation Awards The Commission discussed the procedure of advertising the Lexington Preservation Awards. AGENDA ITEM #8: Input from Commissioners on other matters Ms. Bennett introduced that she had developed a kind of a visitor’s guide for the mid-century modern neighborhoods in Lexington. AGENDA ITEM #9: Input from the public on other matters None AGENDA ITEM 10: Adjourn Ms. Fenollosa made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Kelland at 9:08pm. Motion carried. All in favor. Historical Commission 6