Historical Commission

FITCHBURG CITY CLERK The City of Fitchburg Dec 19 2023 2:59 pm Massachusetts F i t c h b ur g Hi s t o r i c a l C om m i s s i o n 718 Main Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420 http://www.ci.fitchburg.ma.us/327/Historical-Commission Meeting Minutes for the Fitchburg Historical Commission Hybrid Meeting October 26, 2023, at 3:00 P.M. Members Present: Keith Chenot, Don Ostrowski, Ellen DiGeronimo, and Andrew Lipasti Members Absent: Charles Sternaimolo Meeting Guests: None Chair Keith Chenot called the meeting to order at 3:09pm and noted a quorum was present. 1. Public comment period: None 2. Review and approve minutes of the September 28, 2023, meeting: Ellen made a motion to approve the minutes. The motion was seconded by Don. The motion was approved unanimously by members present. 3. Update of Monument Park repairs: We had a good meeting on Oct. 23, 2023 with Nicholas (Nick) Erickson, Commissioner of Public Works & City Engineer, and James Bunnell, Director of the Parks & Recreation Department. Nick talked about the duties of the Public Works and Parks Department groups, what type of work they can do regarding park repairs, and noted the limited budget they have to work with. James talked about funding and grants and passed out documents related to funding for park repairs and updates. We need to be aware of the deadlines when applying for these funds. Nick noted reviewing other city items with a preservation architect. He mentioned the Spencer Group Preservation Co. has looked at doing repairs at the Forest Hill Cemetery Mausoleum and they may be able to help with the repairs at Monument Park. Some of the next steps on the Monument Park repairs include: design docs, pricing phase, bidding and consulting. Keith noted that the Parks & Recreation Dept. has a limited budget to work with. Don noted walking through the park recently and observed the fencing deterioration is getting worse. Ellen commented that with the Fitchburg Public Library renovations that the park needs to be updated too. Keith will check on funding and also talk with Liz Murphy and Library Director Deborah Hinkle on the park improvements. Keith noted we would like to coordinate with DCR on the planned tree plantings in Monument Park. This will be a follow-up action item with James and the DCR coordinator Larissa Parse. Keith mentioned our discussion with James on the type and cost of benches to be added into the park. James had some ideas on this item and another company to work with on the benches. Andy asked about our Commission attending the Parks Dept. meeting on Nov. 9. 1 4. Update on historic building demolition delay: Don mentioned talking with John Morreale, Senior Building Inspector in Fitchburg. They discussed demolition petitions, laws, etc. There is 30 days to issue a permit for demolition. Keith noted that an ordinance is a municipal law, while a law is a state law. He discussed potential qualifications of a demolition delay ordinance and the process flow of such an ordinance. This includes public hearings, building age, legal processes, staff reviews, and open meeting laws and rules. Don noted he will check with Leominster and Lunenburg on their demolition delay process. He also noted that John mentioned our Open Government software would need updating regarding setting a flag on a historical building. Don invited John to attend one of our meetings. We discussed an exercise and example of a Fitchburg building at 15 Arlington St. Per information on the MACRIS sited it was built in 1887 and is known as the Charles F. Baker house, a Queen Anne style designed by H. M. Francis. We discussed creating more historic districts to include historical houses and buildings. We talked about the proposed Upper Common historic district. 5. Update on appreciation and preservation of historic stone walls and structures: Don is working on this item. 6. Update on Historic Districts information brochure/map information guide, signage, web posting: Keith has asked Susan Navarre to review the brochure. 7. Historic Marker update: There are two new historic markers completed, and one of them has been installed on the Drury Building. The sign painter has solved the painting issue on the markers. Keith noted we have two more marker applications, a house in West Fitchburg, and a Prospect St. house on the corner with Mechanic St. 8. Project to document and share Main Street building histories, historic districts, tax credit, and other restoration/reuse incentives: Ellen is working on this item. 9. Commission membership vacancies update: Don is working on a lead for a Commission member and has spoken with two legal candidates. 10. FHC website additions: Links to architectural styles, NPS Preservation Briefs, etc.: Keith showed us an H. M. Francis buildings flyer and a flyer of a downtown walking tour that includes a discussion of architectural styles. 11. New business: Keith noted the city sent our Commission an excess properties report that lists properties now owned by the city. One of properties was at 12 Park St. off West Main St. and it is a circa 1880’s house. We all agreed that the property should remain standing and be sold. Keith will send the city an advisory based on our decision. Keith mentioned that on Thursday, Nov. 2 at 10 AM there will be a ground breaking ceremony for the B. F. Brown housing and art center and that our Commission members are invited to attend. Don mentioned that an oral history project with our senior citizens would be a good project, and one to partner with FSU on. Add this to the agenda for our next meeting. 2 12. Next meeting: Board of Parks Commissioners Meeting: November 9, 2023, 5:30 PM, City Hall Room 101A. Historical Commission Meeting: November 30, 2023, 3:00 PM, City Hall Room 101A and Zoom hybrid. 13. Adjournment: Don made a motion to adjourn and it was seconded by Ellen. The motion was approved unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 6:00 PM. Submitted by Andrew Lipasti, Secretary, Fitchburg Historical Commission 3