Historical Commission

Chicopee Historical Commission Voting Record and Minutes Historical Commission of the City of Chicopee public hearing for Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at 4:00 PM . Meeting was brought to order at 4:00 PM by Joshua Clark, Chair of the Historical Commission. Historical Commission attendance: Member Present Absent Excused Joshua Clark, Chair X Linda Menard-Mruk X Vice Chair Raymond Hoess-Brooks X Dave Robison X Louise Osetek X Timothy Wagner X Kathryn Gawron X Planning Staff attendance: Member Present Absent Excused Lee Pouliot, X Director James Dawson, Development X Manager Patrick Collins X Nick Kiser X ITEM 1: Presentation by Lee Pouliot on the Rehabilitation and Accessibility Upgrade Project for the historic former library. Mr. Pouliot also requested a support letter from the Commission to the Massachusetts Historical Commission for this project. • Mr. Pouliot stated the proposal for the library will be for flexible program space. It will be a regular space for the Chamber of Commerce Fresh Market. The City is also hoping to partner with the Boys and Girls Club, VOC, and/or the Elms College for the space. • Phase l of the project will include the following: ▪ A complete rehab of the copper roof. (the recycle value of the existing copper roof will be factored into the cost of the rehab) ▪ New windows ▪ Masonry repairs ▪ New mechanicals ▪ New elevator to make the building fully accessible. ▪ New floors ▪ New lighting ▪ Exposed brick walls in the interior ▪ Roof Drainage, that currently is piped through the building interior, will be corrected. ▪ Additional high-density storage will be considered for the library basement. Basement floors will be repaired, and humidity controls will be installed.  • Schematic drawings have been completed. The estimated projected cost will be $5.5 million, $3.5 million will originate from ARPA funds, $500,000 will be a state overlay earmark. • The City has applied for $1 million grant from underutilized properties • The City may need to bond for $750,000 • The elevator may be funded by Mass. Office of Disabilities • Joshua Clark read the letter of support into the meeting record. Motion to approve and sign the letter of support was made by Louise Osetek and seconded by Dave Robison. Vote was 6-0 to approve and sign the support letter. Member Present Deny Table Abstain Joshua Clark, Chair X Linda Menard-Mruk X Vice Chair Raymond Hoess-Brooks X Dave Robison X Louise Osetek X Kathryn Gawron X Mr. Pouliot also provided an update on Phase II of the City Hall rehab project. The inner workings of the old clock from the clock tower and the former weathervane will be on display in the auditorium. Bids for Phase II of the City Hall Rehabilitation Project are expected to go out in August of 2023 with a projected project start in January of 2024. ITEM 2: Discussion regarding Historical Commission on the Mayor’s Facebook Page. • Linda Menard-Mruk brought to the Commission’s attention that Chicopee citizens have posted questions on Facebook about their older homes, and they don’t know where to obtain information. Commissioner Menard Mruk suggested periodically posting on the Mayor’s Facebook page to provide some direction. Joshua Clark agreed to design something and approach the Mayor with the Commission’s request. ITEM 3: Discussion regarding the closing of Holy Name Parish: Historical Commission response; and what does the future hold for the building/complex. • Item 3 was taken out of order because Lee Pouliot had to excuse himself from the meeting to attend a previously scheduled meeting. • Mr. Pouliot stated that Elms College is looking at the church and the school building as the college is landlocked and may need to expand. Support from Mass. Development and the Urban Land Institute can provide expertise and engineering. The cost for Elms College is not known at this time, therefore, it is not known if it would be viable for them without financial support. • The Historic Commission is interested to know how it can protect this historic property. Mr. Pouliot said the Commission needs to get into the ULI program, get the same data to everyone, and get an independent review of the property. • Mr. Pouliot also stated that the Assumption rectory, Assumption Church building, and the school will also be closing as of June 30, 2023.  • It was agreed that someone from the Diocese of Springfield, Bishop’s Office, be invited to the June 2023 meeting of the Historical Commission. ITEM 4: Minutes from the April 11, 2023. Louise Osetek noted the attendance was missing from the April minutes. Mr. Dawson explained it was an oversight and will be corrected prior to filing with the City Clerk. Motion to approve the amended minutes was made by Louise Osetek and seconded by Kathryn Gawron. Vote was 6-0 to approve. Member Approve Deny Table Abstain Joshua Clark Chair X Linda Menard-Mruk X Vice Chair Raymond Hoess-Brooks X Dave Robison X Louise Osetek X Kathryn Gawron X ITEM 5: Discussion/New Business • Commissioner Hoess-Brooks asked the status of Silverbrick. Mr. Dawson stated they are not cooperating with the city. • Bellamy House and the repairs to be made were discussed. Commissioner Clark is concerned about documents that may be stored in the attic. Lee Pouliot stated there was a structural analysis done. Mr. Amos will be contacted for a discussion about roof repairs and document storage. Bellamy House is owned by the Bellamy Association, not by the City of Chicopee. ITEM 6: Adjournment Next meeting is June 13, 2023. Motion to adjourn was made by Dave Robison and seconded by Louise Osetek. Vote was 6-0 to adjourn. Member Approve Deny Table Abstain Joshua Clark Chair X Linda Menard-Mruk X Vice Chair Raymond Hoess-Brooks X Dave Robison X Louise Osetek X Kathryn Gawron X Meeting adjourned at 5:10 PM