Historical Commission

FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Oct 03 2022 10:09 am Fitchburg Historical Commission Fitchburg Historical Commission Virtual Meeting Minutes Thursday, August 26, 2021 @ 3:00 P.M. Members Present: Keith Chenot, Don Ostrowski, Ellen DiGeronimo, Charles Sternaimolo, and Meagen Donoghue Guests: Ryan Ansin, Bruce Hampton, Judy Peria, Jacquelyn Porier, Michelle Sciabarrasi, 1. Minutes of June 24, 2021, were approved. 2. One Oak Hill Road, Building 5 renovation permitting review regarding maintaining National Register status: Mr. Ansin of Revolutionary Farms, and Mr. Hampton of Elton and Hampton Architects of Boston came before the Commission as part of the permitting review for being in a flood zone. Because the building is a historic structure, it does not need to meet typical requirements for flood zone permitting, but Mr. Ansin must obtain approval from the Historical Commission. Specifically, a determination from the Commission will keep the historic register status. Mr. Ansin’s Revolutionary Farms, a cannabis company seeks to expand into Building 5, adjacent to their current operations next door. Building 5 was built in the 1890s and deemed historic in 2008 by the Massachusetts Historic Commission. Mr. Ansin would like to maintain its historic status after learning from the City’s Building Commissioner that if the building is deemed historic in a flood area and can remain so, it does not need to go through flood permitting. In fact, the Building Commissioner does not have the authority to approve the flood permitting, the Historical Commission does. Mr. Hampton confirmed the building is located in a flood zone according to the 100-year flood plain. The project aims to wood window restoration as they do not want to harm the existing fabric. Therefore, they will insulate the interior of the windows on the inside with insulation board. There is a significant concern with condensation because they are building pods within the structure to grow the plants. These, coupled with the insulation board will cause damage to the wooden window sashes. A solution Mr. Hampton decided upon was adding ventilation holes at the top and two (2) weep holes at the bottom of each windowsill. Each hole will point at an angle to allow the water to drip down. Mr. Chenot stated it will be important to have considerate design of this system so the windows and sashes are not damaged and asked for more detail and backup information on the weep holes. He is concerned with drilling holes into historic sills and sub sills and asked for examples of other buildings with similar systems. Mr. Chenot asked for another set of mark ups and photography to verify that it works. Mr. Hampton said he would do so but, in the meantime, he proposed writing a letter to the Building Commissioner stating where the Historic Commission stands with conditions and Mr. Ansin and he will continue to meet with the Commission on particular details to be determined. The Commission agreed. Dr. Ostrowski, Ms. DiGeronimo, and Ms. Donoghue will visit the property the following Tuesday and report back to the Commission. 3. Endorsement of Fitchburg Trustees of Public Burial Grounds proposal to nominate several Fitchburg cemeteries as historic places: Ms. Perla indicated she came before the Historic Commission in November of 2019 to ask for help to get the historic cemeteries placed on the state register. She stated she needs a letter from the Historic Commission to state they are in  agreement with the six (6) cemeteries as historic places. Her next step then is to go to City Council to designate the cemeteries. If approved, she will send to the Massachusetts Historical Commission for designation. Mr. Chenot asked for completed forms. Ms. Sciabarras indicated she would put together the entire package for the next meeting. Ms. DiGeronimo suggested the Commission approve the letter which will also include as a condition the next step of putting the entire package together for the Commission so as to not delay the project. Ms. DiGeronimo motioned to endorse the designation with the condition of updating the forms. Seconded by Dr. Ostrowski. The vote: Unanimous. 4. Review wording for Historic Site Marker for the New Housing Development at the NW Corner of Blossom and Crescent Streets: Ms. DiGeronimo noted there is a plaque on a Greek Revival House on Blossom Street and can look to it for clarification of information needed for one for the house on the corner of Pearl and Longwood Avenue. The Commission tabled the discussion. 5. Update on Status of Monument Park Repairs: Mr. Chenot indicated he and Mr. Sternaimolo visited the park and saw much damage done form the salt spray during snow storms, noting a lot of breakage of the cast iron balusters. Mr. Chenot will follow up with Mr. Nate LaRose from Parks and Recreation regarding the cast iron fencing in the park. The Commission tabled the discussion. 6. Updated on Demolition of Simonds Saw and Steel, Intervale Road – Reference MACRIS Inventory: FIT. 525: Mr. Chenot indicated he drove by and saw the 1930s front section was still standing, but other aspects were demolished. The Commission tabled the discussion. 7. Updated on Proposed Demolition Delay Ordinance Draft: The Commission tabled the discussion. 8. Update on Historic Districts Information Brochure/Map Information Guide, Signage, Web Posting: The Commission tabled the discussion. a. FSU Faculty-Led Student Project Coordination for Fall/Spring 2021/2022: The Commission will wait for students. 9. Updated on Old Courthouse and Preservation Strategy: Nothing at this time. 10. Update on Twin Cities Rail Trail/FHC Coordination Regarding Signage and Other Matters: The Commission tabled the discussion. 11. FHC Website: Mr. Chenot will take action on this. 12. Review Draft Stonewall Ordinance Proposal—Retention of Existing NE Stonewalls: Dr. Ostrowski sent out a draft and requested comments for September’s meeting. 13. Filling Vacancy on the Commission: Ms. Donoghue invited Mr. Nick Pelletier, who was not in attendance. Mr. Chenot would like to have someone from the Planning Board because they hear of projects prior to the Historical Commission meetings and suggested Mr. Peter Capodagli. Mr. Sternaimolo indicated he received an email from Helen Obermeyer Simonds wanting to join or to have her son join. 14. New Business: Mr. Chenot suggested moving the November and December meetings dates to earlier in the month. Submitted by Meagen Donoghue