Historical Commission

SALEM HISTORICAL COMMISSION MINUTES August 2, 2023 A meeting of the Salem Historical Commission was held on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at 6:00PM via Zoom Virtual Meeting. Present were: Larry Spang (Chair), Mark Meche, Rebecca English, Kelly Tyler- Lewis, Jamie Graham. Not present: Vijay Joyce, Milo Martinez, Mark Pattison. Staff: Patti Kelleher 149 Federal Street—continuation Joseph Archambault submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for paint colors and fencing. The applicant was not present. VOTE: Ms. Graham motioned to continue the application to August 16 meeting. Ms. English seconded the motion. Roll Call: Tyler-Lewis, Graham, Meche, English, Spang were in favor and the motion so carried. 149 Federal Street Joseph Archambault submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for rear entry porch (after the fact). The applicant was not present. VOTE: Ms. Graham motioned to continue the application to August 16 meeting. Ms. English seconded the motion. Roll Call: Tyler-Lewis, Graham, Meche, English, Spang were in favor and the motion so carried. 57 Warren Street—continuation Jessica Santos submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace entry steps. Chair Spang and others attended a site visit to give applicant ideas prior to meeting. The applicant requested a continuation. VOTE: Ms. English motioned to continue the application to September 6. Ms. Graham seconded the motion. Roll Call: Tyler-Lewis, Graham, Meche, English, Spang were in favor and the motion so carried. 44 Derby Street Kate Lerner submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for paint colors. Documents & Exhibits: ▪ Application: 7/8/23 ▪ Slideshow/photographs  Salem Historical Commission meeting minutes August 2, 2023 Page 2 of 4 Ms. Lerner showed photograph of house at present. Ms. Lerner noted disliking present gray house color and expressed desire to use Benjamin Moore’s “Lafayette Green”. The applicant stated the objective of painting the house in order to fit the fabric of neighborhood and look “more historic.” Ms. Kelleher noted that previous color of application (2014) had established the present gray color. Building was renovated in 2012. The applicant preferred Benjamin Moore “Lafayette Green” with “Fairway Oaks” for trim. (Second preference was Cottage Red for body, Carrington Beige or Gloucester Sage for trim. Cottage Red was used in a past iteration of home.) Chair Spang remarked that most of the siding was re-done in 2012, thus making it unclear what color(s) may have featured previously for body. Mr. Meche asked if the house would be stained, which Ms. Lerner affirmed. The house was said to be constructed circa 1860. Ms. Kelleher noted that the house does not have many of its original architectural details. Ms. Kelleher noted that any selected color scheme would need to correlate with existing white windows. Chair Spang clarified that window color would be white, and that a trim color ought to be compatible, which Ms. Lerner affirmed. Mr. Meche questioned whether the types of existing windows were known. Mr. Meche felt that the selected green was a little too rich or saturated. Chair Spang agreed. Ms. Lerner pointed out that the home – according to records consulted by the homeowners – was constructed circa 1760s, not 1860s. Mr. Meche and Chair Spang surmised that the house likely featured post-and-beam construction. Chair Spang recommended exploring historic green colors with SHC members Milo Martinez and/or Vijay Joyce to reach a determination. Ms. Tyler-Lewis recommended historic New England colors from California Paints, or a California base with Benjamin Moore tints. Ms. Lerner expressed openness to painting body as Gloucester Sage, which Chair Spang and Mr. Meche were more open to. Ms. Graham identified a PDF the applicants could use as a reference from richardspaint.com to finalize colors. Mr. Meche proposed approving Lafayette Green for body (with Carrington Beige as trim) with the condition that Mr. Martinez and/or Mr. Joyce collaborate with the homeowners to reach a final color determination. Ms. Graham noted that reds would be more historically appropriate than greens. 66 Derby was shown as a model for an acceptable red color, though Ms. Kelleher noted that this color was custom-made. No public comment. VOTE: Ms. Graham motioned to approve a color combination based on 66 Derby (red-orange and beige) or those of 68 Derby (green and gray), with final colors to be reviewed and approved by Chair Spang and a subset of the committee (Mr. Martinez and/or Mr. Joyce). Mr. Meche seconded the motion. Roll Call: Tyler-Lewis, Graham, Meche, English, Spang were in favor and the motion so carried. 15 Chestnut Street Karen Hayes submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace fencing. Documents & Exhibits: ▪ Application: 7/5/23 ▪ Slideshow/photographs Ms. Hayes noted that applicants wish to replace portions of backyard fence. One portion will be replaced as-is to match existing. Ms. Hayes showed an aerial view of property to familiarize members with the lot, as well as identifying which sections of fence would be replaced (which were marked as sections D and E). Left backyard fence would be replaced in kind. Another portion of left back backyard fence would be replaced to match the as-is portion (currently a custom fence). Ms. Hayes noted that the fence is mostly not visible from public-facing way. A written proposal was also shown detailing visibility, current  Salem Historical Commission meeting minutes August 2, 2023 Page 3 of 4 dimensions, and new dimensions. Chair Spang asked if there was a cap on the desired fencing, which Ms. Hayes affirmed. Chair Spang clarified that the posts currently interrupt the fence panels and that the fencing would feature a natural finish. The proposal would result in fence portions D and E matching each other. Mr. Meche and Chair Spang noted that fences should feature posts behind panels so that panels feature as a continuous run. Ms. Graham clarified that portion C would not match D and E, rather D and E would match B. Ms. Lerner noted that the fence would terminate at the corner of a garage building. No public comment. VOTE: Ms. Graham motioned to approve the application as submitted. Ms. English seconded the motion. Roll Call: Tyler-Lewis, Graham, Meche, English, Spang were in favor and the motion so carried. 145 Federal Street Matthew McGarry submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for a vent. Ms. Kelleher reported that the application was approved as a minor change and the public hearing was cancelled as no abutter objections were received. 1 Pickering Street Joseph Locke requested an initial discussion on options for reconstructing brick perimeter wall. Mr. Locke noted having reached out to masons, none of whom were interested or willing to take on a project of this size. Those who did were overpriced and not financially feasible. The wall has been plagued by a series of old trees with roots pushing against fencing. Mr. Locke also expressed concern about safety of passersby on sidewalks, given that a section of the wall recently fell down. Mr. Locke expressed openness to abandon brick wall entirely in favor of non-brick fencing. Ms. Kelleher showed images of existing brick wall, some of which was clearly deteriorated or in the process of falling apart. Ms. Tyler- Lewis asked if same issues of deterioration were on every side of wall. Mr. Locke noted that Broad Street side features separation of bricks and Warren Street side has been bulging out for several years. Chair Spang questioned when the wall may have been built, which Ms. Kelleher noted was unknown. Mr. Locke noted that the fence/wall predates the house, which was said to have been a garden prior to being a residential property. Chair Spang clarified that the desire was to replace brick wall with new fence. Mr. Locke sought advice from the Commission before making any large decisions or changes. Mr. Locke noted that quotes for repairs to existing ranged from $150k to $250k. Mr. Meche recommended punctuating the fence and/or doing something different with the trees, perhaps stopping and starting the existing walls. Ms. Kelleher pointed out that sections of the wall are different from each other and feature different wall caps. Ms. Graham suggested that Mr. Locke present an overhead view of existing fence, indicating which sections are failing (or have already failed) to aid in Commission recommendations. Chair Spang recommended choosing an existing type of fence that features on the property to emulate moving forward, even if wood. Chair Spang remarked that the existing fence is eclectic in variety. Mr. Locke affirmed that the fence has been plagued by various issues over the years. Ms. Tyler-Lewis noted that 1874 atlas showed no structure on the property lot, which was labeled “PICKERING & SHREVE.” Mr. Locke thanked the Commission for the initial feedback.  Salem Historical Commission meeting minutes August 2, 2023 Page 4 of 4 Other Business 15 Cambridge Street Ms. Kelleher showed photographs of EV charging station, which was painted nearly in its entirety to match housing (rather than to place a box around the unit). Ms. Kelleher asked members to visit property prior to further discussion with applicant at future meeting. Chair Spang clarified that the unit was not approved as installed, which Ms. Kelleher affirmed. Adjournment VOTE: Mr. Meche motioned to adjourn. Ms. Graham seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion so carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:34PM. Respectfully submitted, Dan Graham, Historical Commission Clerk