Historical Commission

FITCHBURG CITY CLERK The City of Fitchburg Aug 16 2024 4:23 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 May 30, 2024, at 3:00 P.M. Members Present: Keith Chenot, Don Ostrowski, Charles Sternaimolo, and Andrew Lipasti Members Absent: Ellen DiGeronimo Meeting Guests: None Chair Keith Chenot called the meeting to order at 3:08 PM and noted a quorum was present. 1. Public comment period: None 2. Review and approve minutes of the April 25, 2024, meeting: Don made a motion to approve the minutes as amended. The motion was seconded by Andy. The motion was approved unanimously by members present. 3. Recap of activities for May, Preservation Month and brochure release. Celebrate! Fitchburg’s Historic Preservation May 23 event FATV link can be found at https://videoplayer.telvue.com/player/yycCAZPb0NN3zj2o5qio- YFMNC43NjCG/media/876798 Keith talked about the presentation noting it went well and that FATV recorded the event. It was around 60 minutes and included talks and presentations from Mayor Squailia and other Fitchburg group leaders. There were about 40-50 people in attendance and there were some good questions and comments after the event. There were 2,000 Downtown Historic Areas brochures printed and several hundred have been distributed. We have brochures that need to be handed out and getting them into racks at city locations, the Route 2 Johnny Appleseed center, and to FSU. The brochures are in the Community Development Office in City Hall. Keith noted he will write minutes from this presentation event. 4. Project to document and share Main Street building histories, historic districts, tax credit, and other restoration/reuse incentives: Andy noted there is nothing new to report on this item. 5. Update on Monument Park repairs: Keith noted we had talked about the budget process and getting repair funds into the budget. Charles mentioned that the park fence railing castings have been found in the DPW yard. He added that we have been looking for them for about 10 years. Keith will check with James Bunnell on the state of the castings. 1  Charles asked about the park benches. James had talked about benches at our last meeting and noted some interest but no donations or payments for them yet. Ellen had mentioned at that meeting that she would like to purchase a bench for her family. Andy noted a new marker in the park for Civil War Veteran Orlando Boss. He was mentioned during the Memorial Day service at the park during the Memorial Day Sunday service. Don noted the No Dogs signs have been taken down. 6. Update on historic building demolition delay: Don mentioned there is nothing new to report. He noted that he attended a Planning Board meeting that had discussion about changes and new work at the Applewild School. 7. Update on appreciation and preservation of historic stone walls and stone structures: Don talked about Fitchburg’s stone walls noting that they are of historic significance. He referenced the stone wall on View Street next to an Applewild School building, and noted that we need appreciation of Rollstone Granite stone walls in the city. Charles mentioned that there are three streets left in Fitchburg with cobblestones. There is one named Eaton Street near the S.S. Lobster Ltd. restaurant that just got paved in places after repairs on the street. Don added that the cobblestone streets need to be looked at and saved if possible. Keith noted we could write a letter to the DPW Head to ask for replacement of the cobblestones after the street work. They add a historic symbolism, value, and unique appearance to the city. Charles added that the stones in the street are called setts. Don mentioned going on a recent Rock Walk hosted by Peter Capodagli and there were about 50 people attending. He added a review on Trip Advisor noting the walk had a good sense of Fitchburg history including the work that was done in the quarry. Keith showed us a photo of the granite quarry that included the Rollstone Boulder. 8. Update on coordination of signage for the Twin Cities Rail Trail: Keith noted working on three signs for the Fitchburg end of the Rail Trail. There has been text and graphics work for drafts and final reviews. The signs should be going out for bid later this summer. He added that Andy helped with finding historic photos at the Fitchburg Historical Society of the Rollstone Quarry and the Union Depot Train Station. 9. Historic Marker update: Keith noted no new historic marker applications. 10. Commission membership vacancies update: Keith mentioned we still have two vacancies. Don talked with Chris Batinsey and he is still interested in applying. Don also talked with another candidate who noted she can’t make a 3:00pm meeting time as she works full time. Keith talked about a possible meeting time change to a later early evening time. Don will check with the two candidates. 11. New business: Andy noted repairs are needed on the Mausoleum at the Forest Hill Cemetery. The building was built and dedicated in 1920. City Councilor Sally Cragin is leading a group meeting at the Historical Society to start a fund drive for the repairs noting they need a large capital outlay. Andy will attend this meeting. 2  Keith mentioned that as a Historical Commission we get questions about funding for repairs on historic buildings. He added that there are grant programs we could help with in providing a letter of support for the funding. The city also has a Cemetery Commission that can run a look at funding options. Don mentioned there are grants being looked at for maintaining the Rollstone Hill area. 12. Next meeting: 3:00 PM, Thursday, June 27, 2024. 13. Adjournment: Andy made a motion to adjourn and it was seconded by Don. The motion was approved unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 4:48 PM. Submitted by Andrew Lipasti, Secretary, Fitchburg Historical Commission 3