HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-05-21-HC-min.docxLexington Historical Commission
Meeting Minutes
May 21, 2026
Meeting Conducted by Remote Participation
Commissioners Present: Marilyn Fenollosa, Diane Pursley, Susan Bennett.
Commissioners Absent: Wendall Kalsow.
Associate Commissioners Present: David Kelland.
Associate Commissioner Absent:
Vice Chair Diane Pursley called the May 21, 2026 Historical Commission meeting to order at 7:00
pm.
AGENDA ITEM #1: Consideration and vote on Election for Chair
Ms. Fenollosa made a motion to table this discussion until next month. Mr. Kelland seconded.
Roll Call Vote:
Ms. Fenollosa — Yes,
Ms. Bennett — Yes.
Mr. Kelland — Yes,
Ms. Pursley — Yes,
Motion carried 4 to 0. Motion carried. All in favor.
AGENDA ITEM #2: Approval of meeting minutes of the meetings held on April 15th, 2026 & April
16th, 2026
Ms. Fenollosa made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting held on April 15th, 2026 and
April 16th, 2026 as submitted. Mr. Kelland seconded. Motion carried with Ms. Bennett abstaining.
3-0, All in favor.
AGENDA ITEM #3: Public Hearing regarding the Partial Building Demolition (Additions) at 24
Parker Street (HC -26-2)
APPLICANT(S) PRESENT: Vivek Gupta, Homeowner
ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: none
DOCUMENT(S): Comparison of Existing and Proposed Elevations: dated April 10, 2026
Historical Information: dated April 10, 2026
Individual Building Form from Lexington Comprehensive Cultural Resources Survey: dated May 6, 2026
Photos of existing structure: dated April 10, 2026
Structural Engineer's Report: dated April 10, 2026
Certified Letters to Abutters: dated May 7, 2026
SUMMARY:
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Vivek Gupta, homeowner, presents the proposed addition plans and comparison of elevation plans for this
structure at 24 Parker Street. It includes an addition of front enclosed porch and a rear second story addition
(accessory dwelling unit) above the existing garage.
No public comments.
HC COMMENTS:
The Commission opposed the replacement of the porch with an enclosed room and suggested to either
retain the existing porch or rebuild the porch in its current iteration. They agreed to continue this hearing
to next month.
AGENDA ITEM #4: Public Hearing regarding the addition of Jonas Clarke Middle School — 17
Stedman Road to the Lexington Comprehensive Cultural Resources Survey
Ms. Fenollosa made a motion to withdraw Jonas Clarke Middle School — 17 Stedman Road from
consideration for the Lexington Comprehensive Cultural Resources Survey. Ms. Bennett seconded.
Roll Call Vote:
Ms. Fenollosa — Yes,
Mr. Kelland — Yes,
Ms. Pursley — Yes,
Ms. Bennett — Yes.
Motion carried 4 to 0. Motion carried. All in favor.
AGENDA ITEM #5: Public Hearing regarding the addition of William Diamond Middle School —
99 Hancock Street to the Lexington Comprehensive Cultural Resources Survey
Ms. Fenollosa made a motion to withdraw William Diamond Middle School — 99 Hancock Street
from consideration for the Lexington Comprehensive Cultural Resources Survey. Ms. Bennett
seconded.
Roll Call Vote:
Ms. Fenollosa — Yes,
Mr. Kelland — Yes,
Ms. Pursley — Yes,
Ms. Bennett — Yes.
Motion carried 4 to 0. Motion carried. All in favor.
AGENDA ITEM #6: Public Hearing regarding the addition of Fiske Elementary School — 55 Adams
Street to the Lexington Comprehensive Cultural Resources Survey
The building of Fiske Elementary School — 55 Adams Street was demolished in 2005. No public
comments.
Ms. Fenollosa made a motion to add Fiske Elementary School — 55 Adams Street to the Lexington
Comprehensive Cultural Resources Survey. Mr. Kelland seconded.
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Roll Call Vote:
Ms. Fenollosa — Yes,
Ms. Bennett — Yes.
Mr. Kelland — Yes,
Ms. Pursley — Yes,
Motion carried 4 to 0. Motion carried. All in favor.
AGENDA ITEM #7: Public Hearing regarding the addition of Harrington Elementary School —146
Maple Street to the Lexington Comprehensive Cultural Resources Survey
The building of Harrington Elementary School — 146 Maple Street was demolished in May 2026. No
public comments.
Ms. Fenollosa made a motion to add Harrington Elementary School — 146 Maple Street to the
Lexington Comprehensive Cultural Resources Survey. Mr. Kelland seconded.
Roll Call Vote:
Ms. Fenollosa — Yes,
Ms. Bennett — Yes.
Mr. Kelland — Yes,
Ms. Pursley — Yes,
Motion carried 4 to 0. Motion carried. All in favor.
AGENDA ITEM #8: Public Hearing regarding the addition of former Parker School — 314 Bedford
Street to the Lexington Comprehensive Cultural Resources Survey
Based on the feedback from the public, the Commissioners considered a continuance to allow for time to
send individual notices to all residents of the Parker Condominium building instead of just the
management company.
Ms. Bennett made a motion to continue this hearing until the next meeting in June. Mr. Kelland
seconded.
Roll Call Vote:
Ms. Fenollosa — Yes,
Ms. Bennett — Yes.
Mr. Kelland — Yes,
Ms. Pursley — Yes,
Motion carried 4 to 0. Motion carried. All in favor.
AGENDA ITEM #9: Input from Commissioners on other matters
Chair Robert Rotberg was thanked for his decades of outstanding service.
"Dear Robert Rotberg,
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The members of the Lexington Historical Commission wish to thank you for your outstanding service to
the Commission over the past 6 years as a member and as our Chair. You have conducted the work of the
Commission with fairness, civility, and dedication. You have represented the Commission, ably in difficult
situations. You are a key player in our successful efforts to expand the length of demolition delays from
12 to 21 months, an important tool in our efforts to preserve historically significant properties. We also
applaud your long service to the Town as an elected member of the School Committee, a Town meeting
member, and in other capacities too numerous to mention. We hope to have opportunities to work with
you in other ways to serve the Town of Lexington."
Ms. Kelland made a motion to approve that the Historical Commission will send a signed thank -
you letter proposed by Ms. Bennett listed above to Immediate Past Chair Robert Rotberg during
the meeting held on May 21st, 2026. Ms. Fenollosa seconded.
Roll Call Vote:
Ms. Fenollosa — Yes,
Ms. Bennett — Yes,
Mr. Kelland — Yes,
Ms. Pursley — Yes.
Motion carried 4 to 0. Motion carried. All in favor.
Ms. Pursley inquired whether the Historical Commission should take action or conduct further research
into the proposed multi -family development at 114 Wood Street. The National Park Services has
documented their concerns to the Lexington Planning Board about the historic nature of the property,
setting incompatibility, archaeological resources, threats to the natural resources, vernal pools, etc., and
stormwater issues with the impervious surfaces that would be part of development. Most importantly,
from Historical Commission perspective, the setting incompatibility and the archaeological resources,
stone walls, for instance, are definitely adjacent to this development. Ms. Pursley stated that the Historical
Commission should be consulted in terms of the process, following as part of development adjacent to
historic resources. Ms. Bennett stated that if archaeological resources are threatened, does Massachusetts
Historical Commission have purview. Ms. Fenollosa stated that she will contact MHC and find out what
they know about it. The parcel 114 Wood Street is in the National Park boundaries. Ms. Pursley stated
that according to the Historical Commission charge, it is appropriate that Historical Commission submits
opinions and recommendations to other town boards and committees on topic of architectural or historic
concerns. Because this project is related to the National Historic Park, Historical Commission should be
consulted on this project.
The Commission agreed that Ms. Pursley would draft a letter to the Planning Board regarding the
Historical Commission's concerns about the proposed development at 114 Wood St.
AGENDA ITEM #10: Input from the public on other matters
None
AGENDA ITEM 11: Adjourn
Ms. Bennett made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Ms. Fenollosa at 8:25pm. Motion carried. All
in favor.
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