Historical Commission

FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Nov 15 2022 1:37 pm Fitchburg Historical Commission Meeting Minutes for the Fitchburg Historical Commission Hybrid Meeting on September 29, 2022, at 3:00 P.M. Members Present: Keith Chenot, Don Ostrowski, Sam Blair, Ellen DiGeronimo, and Andrew Lipasti Members Absent: Meagen Donohue, Charles Sternaimolo Meeting Guests: None 1. Public comment period: An email comment to the Commission dated August 23, 2022, from Jacquelyn Wehtje was read and is attached to these minutes. 2. Review and approve minutes past unposted minutes for April, 2018; May, 2018; January, 2021; February, 2021; March, 2021; April, 2021; May, 2021; June, 2021; July, 2021; August, 2021; September 2021; October, 2021; November, 2021; and December, 2021 including suggested corrections by Don Ostrowski: Ellen DiGeronimo moved to approve the minutes as amended, Seconded by Sam Blair: Vote to approve as amended: Ellen, Sam, Don, Keith. One abstention: Andrew. Motion Approved. 3. Review and approve minutes of the August 25, 2022, meeting: Ellen moved to approve. Seconded by Andy. Approved unanimously by members present. 4. Nomination and election for the Secretary position: Ellen and Meagen have asked to step down from the position. Keith moved to nominate Andrew Lipasti, Seconded by Ellen. Unanimous vote followed to elect Andrew Lipasti the Commission’s Secretary starting this October. 5. Update on the proposed Preservation of Historically Significant Buildings (Demolition Delay) ordinance study: General discussion followed on the merits and limits of this type of ordinance with Keith saying that he had not yet completed a document that referenced other MA nearby towns and cities and other MA Gateway cities with similar ordinance. Discussion to be continued at the next meeting. 6. Update on proposed Stone Wall Preservation ordinance study: Don noted that the intent of the proposal is to bring public awareness to the unique heritage that older stone walls and structures are to our city. As an ordinance it would need to be enacted by the City Council and how would it be enforced? Don had also previously distributed a three photos quiz of stone walls that may or may not meet the criteria of the ordinance study. Andy has taken the initiative to start a draft for an article on Fitchburg’s stone walls and structures that could be published in the Historical Society’s next quarterly new letter. Don and Andy were asked to collaborate on the article as an outreach on this important part of Fitchburg’s heritage. 7. Update on Simonds Saw and Steel, Intervale Rd. sponsoring historic documentation of its 1  architectural/industrial design: Ellen has spoken with a contact with the Simonds family and hopes to have more information soon. 8. UPDATE ON HISTORIC DISTRICTS INFORMATION BROCHURE/MAP INFORMATION GUIDE, SIGNAGE, WEB POSTING AND FSU FACULTY-LED STUDENT PROJECT COORDINATION ONGOING FOR FALL/SPRING 2021/2022 AND 2022/2023: Keith noted that the brochure and street signage graphics are nearly complete and will be available for presentation soon. Collaboration with Dr. Silva’s Fitchburg State fall semester class to continue digital history entries of Fitchburg’s history on the TheClio.com website is continuing with more information at our next meeting. 9. Wallace Building entry stones reuse – “temporarily” stored in FRA space: Possible reuse locations for some of the stones were discussed with Andy mentioning the proposed redesign of the library courtyard including the “RW” stone (Rodney Wallace), Ellen noting that some might be incorporated in landscaped areas along the new Twin Cities Rail Trail, and Sam suggesting designing in some at Renaissance Park that is adjacent to and NW of City Hall (owned by the Rollstone Charitable Foundation). Discussion to be continued at our next meeting. 10. Historic Marker – new sign maker proposal reviews: Proposals from three sign makers were reviewed and voted upon with Handpaintedwood signs.com receiving three votes (Sam, Don, and Andy), Wass-Arthur receiving two votes (Ellen and Keith). Keith will speak with Handpaintedwoodsigns.com to verify if, after our review of content, payments can be made by the owner directly to sign company. 11. New business The Twin Cities Rail Trail Phase II design is seeking comments by early October on this final design phase from Fourth Street to the proposed Fitchburg terminus at the Intermodal Center. Keith volunteered to prepare a letter noting the Commission’s previous comments and concerns 12. Next meeting, October 27, 2022, City Hall Room 101A and Zoom hybrid Submitted by Ellen DiGeronimo and Keith Chenot Attachment: see below Public Comment for 8/25 Meeting1 message J Wehtje wehtjej@gmail.com Tue, Aug 23, 2022 at 1:07 PM To: Fitchburg Commission HistoricCommission@fitchburgma.gov Hello Commissioners, Below is a public comment for your 8/25 meeting on agenda item #4. Please read it into the record. Thank you. "The ordinance is overly broad and should be limited to buildings in the historic district, which you are in charge of. 2 My home is over 50 years old and there's nothing historic about it. I don't see a lot of new housing in the city and I think most people's homes would fall under this ordinance and it would be an added cost/time to administer this. It would slowdown efforts to demolish blighted buildings. I don't plan to demolish my home, but if it had a fire or something I doubt my homeowners insurance company would want to pay an extra year's rent for me to live in temporary quarters while someone sits and mulls over whether it's historic or not. This ordinance should be dropped permanently from consideration." Jacquelyn Wehtje Fitchburg resident 3