Historical Commission

Hi s t or i c a l C omm i s s i o n Fitchburg City Hall - 718 Main Street - Fitchburg, MA 01420 Minutes 6:00 PM Thursday September 29, 2016 Meeting at Fitchburg Wallace Library, 610 Main Street, 2nd floor meeting room Members of FHC present: Sam Blair, Steve Twining, Ellen DiGeronimo, Keith Chenot Non-members of FHC present: Sharon Bernard, Craig Amaral Member of FHC absent: Charles Sternaimolo, Susan Roetzer , Donald Ostrowski 1. Meeting Minutes for August 25, 2016 were tabled for future review. 2. Sharon Bernard, Fitchburg Public Library Director, advised the commission about the deteriorating condition of the free-standing inscribed stone Wallace commemorative display case located next to the library’s Main Street entrance. The library is part of the Monument Park National Register Historic District. She showed evidence that some stone panels were sagging, panel mounting material showed corrosion, and that at least one panel is cracking. She also noted that the library is currently in the preliminary design stages for a major renovation/expansion. Rather than try to repair the stone case in place, she requested permission for the library to carefully disassemble the components and safely store the decorative components in a protected off-site municipal building. The architects for the proposed renovation/expansion will be made aware of the temporary relocation and are to strive to incorporate this commemorative material in an appropriate location within the new design. After discussion, a motion was made by Ellen DiGeronimo to approve the request so long as the storage area was secure. Keith Chenot seconded the motion, and the members present voted unanimously to approve the request. Continued on page 2 3. Craig Amaral, representing the owners of 1089 Franklin Road, also known as the 1764 Francis Fullum House, asked if the Historical Commission would support the owner’s efforts to re-start the renovation of the building. The renovation of the house was suspended several years ago during the recent housing financial crisis. The original building permit for the renovation has expired, and because the existing building is within the current zoning setback requirement, the now vacant structure is non-conforming and any renovation/reconstruction requires a variance that can only be issued by the City Council. A motion to support a renovation that retains the historic structure and that the three sides facing the road use similar window and glass division proportions and appropriate, mostly wood trim and clapboard, detailing was presented by Keith Chenot and seconded by Steve Twining. The motion pasted unanimously. Mr. Amaral was asked to keep the Commission appraised of any pending request to the City Council. 4. The meeting adjourned at 6:30 PM due to a now lack of a quorum. Recorded by Keith Chenot 1