Historical Commission

SALEM HISTORICAL COMMISSION MINUTES December 2, 2020 A meeting of the Salem Historical Commission was held on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at 6:00 pm Zoom Virtual Meeting Present were; Rebecca English, Vijay Joyce, Milo Martinez, Stacey Norkun, Mark Pattison, Larry Spang. Not present: Erin Schaeffer, Rebecca English, Mark Meche 123 Federal Street – continuation Lindholm Family Trust submitted a Certificate of Appropriateness for replacing existing fencing with new fence design and gates (after the fact) Documents & Exhibits ▪ Application: 10/7/20 ▪ Photographs Ms. Kelleher reported that the applicant requested a continuation to the next meeting. VOTE: Ms. Norkun made a motion to continue to the next meeting on December 16th. Mr. Joyce second the motion. All were in favor and the motion so carried. 15 Beckford Street Michael Kelly submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to enclose window on rear ell. Documents & Exhibits ▪ Application: 11/10/20 ▪ Photographs Ms. Kelleher reported that the applicant requested to withdraw without prejudice as the applicant will no longer be making any changes to the exterior of the building. The subject window will be closed from the inside only and the window sash, frame and surround will remain intact on the outside. VOTE: Mr. Cutting made a motion to continue to approve the request to withdraw without prejudice. Mr. Pattison seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion so carried. 125 Derby Street – continuation Christian Haselgrove submitted a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace fence Documents & Exhibits ▪ Application: 10/13/20 ▪ Photographs Christian Haselgrove was present. Mr. Haselgrove presented images of Boston Fence examples including a capped solid board fence and a capped open picket fence which is located on the corner of Herbert Street and Derby Street. Ms. Norkun asked if the proposal is to keep the large posts. Mr. Haselgrove responded that the posts need to be replaced. Ms. Norkun asked if they will be replaced in kind. Mr. Haselgrove suggested similar posts to the Herbert Street example where posts are behind fence. Mr. Spang noted that this style of fence with a straight run of pickets with posts behind may be the best option.  Salem Historical Commission Meeting Minutes December 2, 2020 Page 2 of 4 Mr. Joyce asked for more information on how the gate would relate to the posts. Mr. Pattison recommended the fence end at the building with a picket next to quoins and not a post. He suggested that it would be ok to have a post at the other end of the fence where it terminates at the neighbor’s fence. Mr. Spang asked if it would be more appropriate to have fence end behind quoins but questioned how fence would then relate to neighbor’s fence at other end. Mr. Joyce recommended increasing height of fence to conceal post of neighbor’s fence. Mr. Haselgrove asked if post with cap should be retained as existing. Ms. Norkun recommended that the post match the dimensions of existing post, either 6” x 6” or 6 ½ x 6 ½ There was not public comment. The Commission agreed to continue discussion to allow Mr. Joyce and Mr. Pattison to work with applicant on fence design. VOTE: Ms. Norkun made a motion to continue to the meeting on December 16th. Mr. Joyce seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion so carried. 12 Winthrop Street Ian and Colby Bomberowitz submitted a Certificate of Appropriateness to install a skylight. Documents & Exhibits ▪ Application: 11/12/20 ▪ Photographs ▪ Velux skylight product specifications Ian Bomberowitz were present to discuss the project. Mr. Bomberowitz presented application to install a Velux skylight, noting that location will be approximately the same as the skylight at 8 Winthrop Street. Mr. Joyce asked if the skylight could be smaller similar to an historic roof hatch. Mr. Bomberowitz replied that the skylight could be smaller, but the proposed size was smaller than others in the area. The Commission noted that the Design Guidelines state that skylights should be 18” x 24”. Mr. Spang asked for public comment: Amanda Breen, 6 Hathorne Street, Lynn MA stated that she is the contractor for the project and offered to provide information on the proposed skylight. Doug Soons, 6 Orne Square, noted that the dimensions of the skylight at 8 Orne Square is 30” x 50”. Mr. Spang asked if the proposed skylight would have a dark frame and low profile.  Salem Historical Commission Meeting Minutes December 2, 2020 Page 3 of 4 Mr. Bomberowitz replied in the affirmative. Ms. Norkun reported that she had visited the property and noted that the skylight would not be visible from Orne Square to the rear but would be visible from Winthrop Street. Mr. Joyce noted that the proposed skylight manufacturer has an 18” x 24” model. Ms. Norkun noted that the model VSC04 at 21” x 37 7/8” would match others in district. Ms. Breen noted that the proposed skylight would be deck mounted and would have a much lower profile. Mr. Pattison asked if the M04 model would be more appropriate. Ms. Norkun agreed noting that the proposed skylight would be visible only from an angular view. Mr. Bomberowitz stated that he would be amendable to the M04 model which would be more square than proposed skylight. VOTE: Ms. Norkun made a motion to approve a new Velux VS M04 skylight. Skylight to be deck mounted and 30 1/16 x 37 7/8 in size. Approval due to location and limited visibility of skylight. Mr. Joyce amended the motion to require skylight to be to be installed as high up on the roof ridge as possible. Ms. Norkun accepted the amendment. Mr. Joyce seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion so carried. 6 Orne Square Amy Witherbee submitted a Certificate of Appropriateness for a new skylight Documents & Exhibits ▪ Application: 11/12/20 ▪ Photographs ▪ Velux skylight product specifications Doug Soons was present on behalf of the applicant to discuss the project. Mr. Soons noted that the skylight would be located on the rear of the house. The other half of the building, 8 Orne Square, has two skylights on the rear roof slope. The applicant is proposing to install a solar-powered deck mounted low profile skylight. The unit will have a sensor that automatically closes the skylight if it rains. Mr. Spang asked if proposed skylight will be aligned with existing skylights at 8 Orne Square. Mr. Joyce asked if skylight could be smaller. Mr. Soons responded that the skylights at 8 Orne Square are 30” x 50” and he is proposing a 30” x 40” skylight but he could match existing skylight dimensions to provide visual continuity. The Commission discussed precedent and if new skylight should match existing. Ms. Kelleher noted that skylights at 8 Orne Square were approved under a Certificate of Non-Applicability as not visible although it appears now that they are in fact visible from Orne Square. There was no public comment.  Salem Historical Commission Meeting Minutes December 2, 2020 Page 4 of 4 VOTE: Mr. Joyce made a motion to approve the installation of a M06 skylight as submitted to match dimensions of previously installed skylight at 8 Orne Square. This approval was granted for visual continuity of rear roof slope at 6-8 Orne Square. Mr. Cutting seconded the motion. Four members were in favor and one was opposed (Ms. Norkun abstained) and the motion so carried. Other Business 6 River Street: Ms. Kelleher reported on the status of unfinished painting and repairs at the property. The Commission agreed that contractor should be contacted to make necessary corrections, downsize plinths at entrance and fix drip edge under molding. Mr. Pattison to work with contractor. Chair Spang reported that on the status of site work at the rear of the Essex Block, noting that work has begun on the project, but the fence is still not completed. Ms. Kelleher reported on the status of the door replacement at the Dickson Chapel in Greenlawn Cemetery. Ms. Kelleher reported on the status of the Signature Parks Initiative, which will be considered by the City Council. Mr. Martinez asked for information on the status of the project at 9 Appleton Street. The Commission discussed the following projects and whether the work completed complied with approved certificates: 49 Summer Street; 7 Carpenter Street and 266-268 Lafayette Street. VOTE: Mr. Martinez made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Norkun seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion so carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM. Respectfully submitted, Patti Kelleher Community Development Planner