Historical Commission

FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Feb 13 2023 9:14 am Fitchburg Historical Commission Meeting Minutes for the Fitchburg Historical Commission Hybrid Meeting and Continued Public Hearing on December 21, 2022, at 3:00 P.M. held at the Legislative Building at 700 Main St. File Attached (pages 5-7): Letter from Jeffrey Hoover, Library Design Director with Tappe Architects, to Keith Chenot, dated 12/19/2022 Members Present: Keith Chenot, Meagen Donoghue, Don Ostrowski, Charles Sternaimolo, Ellen DiGeronimo, and Andrew Lipasti Members Absent: Sam Blair Meeting Guests: Members of the Fitchburg Public Library Design Team and other interested parties 1. Chairman Keith Chenot called the meeting to order at 3:09pm. He noted a quorum of Historical Commission members were present. 2. Keith welcomed everyone and did a role call of the Commission members present. Keith noted the meeting was called in order to continue the Public Hearing on the Fitchburg Public Library’s Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness in the Monument Park Local Historic District for proposed partial demolition, renovations, and expansions to its facility at 610 Main St., Fitchburg, MA. 3. Keith announced the start of the continuation of the Public Hearing at 3:12pm. He asked for any public comments and there were none. He called on Anthony DiLuzio, Project Manager with Colliers Engineering for a brief introduction of the Library project. Anthony referred to a letter from Jeffrey Hoover to Keith Chenot, dated 12/19/2022, in which the design team noted responses addressing the issues raised at the 11/29/2022 Fitchburg Historical Commission Hearing. Anthony then called on Jeffrey Hoover, Library Design Director with Tappe Architects. 4. Jeff Hoover proceeded with his PowerPoint presentation on the Library renovation project, with this presentation focusing on the design team responses to the issues raised at the 11/29/2022 public hearing meeting. Fitchburg Public Library Renovation Presentation: Jeff showed a drawing of the new Library design including views of the adjacent buildings: the Fay Club and Lucy’s Barn. There were two views of the Library design; one of the Northwest corner showing the existing bookmobile garage, the Fay Club, and Lucy’s Barn. The second view showed the design with the removal of the bookmobile garage, new parking spaces, the Fay Club and Lucy’s Barn. Jeff noted the drive into the Fay Club is elevated 2-3 feet over the new parking spots, and the Club property has a masonry wall separator. Jeff talked about signage on Main St. and showed a proposed new sign using the Youth Library type sign design that adds a ground-mounted vertical sign in front of the Main Street entrance. This will help to mark the entrance. Keith thanked Jeff and noted we have his letter dated 12/19/2022 with replies to design comments from the 11/29/2022 hearing meeting. 1 5. Keith asked for any comments from the Historical Commission members: Don talked about the layers of history in Fitchburg and how some historical buildings and areas get cleared and rebuilt. He also questioned the demolition of the Youth Library. He asked if we can acknowledge what was there before; adding some pictures, some displays, and some history of the buildings. Jeff replied there is an opportunity for space to note the history of the Youth Library and additional display of the Youth Library and The Wallace Library. Deb Hinkle commented that they are planning to add a history display area, the Rodney Wallace painting, and other historical library items. They are looking at making a local history room to display photos and artifacts. Ellen talked about the stones from the Rodney Wallace building (from upper Main St.) and the one brownstone with the initials R. W. on it which was a front piece of that building entrance. She noted the historical significance to recognize Rodney Wallace who helped create the original Wallace Library. Deb said they will pursue a place for the R. W. stone as part of the memorial pieces to honor the past. Keith mentioned the stained glass seal of the city from the original Wallace Library, and also the Athenaeum at City Hall and the early collection of books and a library. Deb noted they have discussed the displaying of old City Hall library items. Keith noted we have discussed the removal of the Youth Library and ways to remember it. He mentioned to Andy that we need to scan the Jeffrey Hoover letter from 12/19/2022 and append it to the minutes from this meeting. Jeff showed a presentation slide of the Wallace Library design with new window space at the corner of Main St. and Newton Place. They will be removing some of the existing brick wall to add new windows. This will be a design change to the existing building. Don commented that the new window space can be welcoming and show people in the library reading and studying. Ellen noted that as that corner of the building faces out to Main St. that the new glass area will be a focal point of the library and will provide a view of Monument Park from inside the library. Meagen noted that the look of the new window area is a look of the past and future together. Andy added that the new windows will be a good upgrade. Jeff mentioned how there will be a reading room near the new glass area and will connect visitors to the library and the park. The area will also have some potential for a historical artifacts display. Keith commented on the proposed store front replacement components and on the window divider sizes. Jeff replied they will be keeping the existing building profile and will check on the divider sizes with their supplier. They have their eye on it to minimize any design changes while working on product selection. Keith asked about the color choices on the window framing. Jeff replied they will work on color matching, and that some of the old frames are white and some black. Keith asked about elevations and the bookmobile area. Charles asked about the bookmobile garage and 2 if it could have been kept. Jeff replied that the garage area was no longer needed and that the garage space was a separate item that didn’t fit well with the building. Deb commented that the garage was an unsupervised area and the access to it was awkward. Ellen noted the garage was an add-on when the bookmobile was put in use. Meagen added that the garage was an add-on and not a necessary design feature. Don asked what are the contemporary needs of the library, and what are the goals of the library. Deb replied that the library needs more useful space for the collections and people meeting areas. Included in the plans is to have a large community room and increased seating in the building. The new design will open more space and seating. The Library is transforming into spaces for collections and meeting areas. Ellen hopes that people see a new investment in the center of Main St. and a City with a new library renovation. Andy asked about the new parking spaces where the garage will be removed, and will the spaces be for the public or the library staff. Jeff replied that the spaces will be for public parking and there is no drive through access to Boulder Drive. He also noted that the design team was asked to provide for more parking. Keith asked about signage locations and Jeff replied the sign locations can be studied further. He also asked about the distance of the buildings to Lucy’s Barn. Jeff noted that there will be a 15-20 foot distance between the buildings which is ample separation. They will also be using compatible brick in the Youth Library to be in harmony with the bricks in Lucy’s Barn. Ellen noted the design issues have been addressed very well. Keith had a question about the view of the HVAC equipment and its location. Jeff replied they did look at views of the library from different angles and the proposed HVAC location on the roof can’t be seen from several different views. 6. Keith asked for a Public Comment Period: Deb noted The Wallace Library dedication in 1967. She mentioned a quote from George R. Wallace, Jr. regarding doing a new library building at the time to meet the ever increasing interest and demand for learning and knowledge. Sharon Bernard commented on the new parking places and how parking is set up at the Fay Club. She also noted that the library has the books from the Athenaeum or original library that was functioning in the City Hall building in 1859. She is excited to have the new glass windows on the Newton Place corner of the library. She mentioned that the bookmobile garage was a feature added to the building at a later date. Keith closed the Public Comment Period. 7. Keith asked the Historical Commission members for comments and there were none. Ellen made a Motion to conclude the Public Hearing and it was seconded by Don. The motion passed with a unanimous vote. 3 Keith closed the Public Hearing at 4:41pm. 8. Keith commented on this important city item and design. He thanked the Library Design Team and the Fitchburg Historical Commission. He asked the Commission members for any questions on the Library design and the approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness. Ellen noted that the Architect has carefully addressed our issues. She asked the Commission about the redesign of the library building corner with more glass windows. Keith replied that the new glass design feature is a modification but it is a supported design. Keith asked the Commission about the demolition of the Youth Library. Ellen noted that the Library Team will remember the history of the Youth Library. She added that it was a joy to have the country’s first Youth Library. Andy mentioned that he supports a demolition and rebuild of the Youth Library in order to have more space, and to reuse some of the original design items. Meagen agreed with Ellen and Andy’s comments on moving forward with a new Youth Library building. Don noted the sensitivity of the Architects is good on the Youth Library while maintaining the library’s history. Keith noted that he has covered contemporary architecture and that we look at 1940’s and 1950’s buildings differently now. We will miss the 1940’s building design of the Youth Library. It was an important piece of city architecture. Buildings don’t seem old, but are a piece of our history. The historical photos and items will help preserve the history of the building. Keith asked the Commission about the set back to Lucy’s Barn. There were no comments. He noted the Design Team has addressed the issue. Keith asked the Commission about the Certificate of Appropriateness and if there should be any conditions in it. Should we mention a condition for adding historical displays of photos, artifacts, design drawings, and notes? The Commission members all agreed with that condition. Ellen noted we have had a good response to our concerns. Meagen made a Motion to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness. It was seconded by Ellen. The motion was approved by a unanimous vote. Keith will work on the Certificate of Appropriateness and distribute a draft version for review. He thanked all parties involved in the Public Hearing process. 9. Our next Commission meeting will be on Thursday, January 26 at 3:00pm. Ellen made a Motion to Adjourn. It was seconded by Meagen and passed with unanimous vote. The meeting was adjourned at 5:13pm. Submitted by Andrew Lipasti, Secretary, Fitchburg Historical Commission 4 5 6 7