Historical Commission

DRAFT SALEM HISTORICAL COMMISSION MINUTES August 21, 2024 A meeting of the Salem Historical Commission was held on August 21, 2024 at 6:00PM via Zoom Virtual Meeting. Present were Mark Meche, Rebecca English, Milo Martinez, Larry Spang (Chair), Kelly Tyler-Lewis. Staff: Patti Kelleher. Absent: Margarida Raka-Goncalves, Vijay Joyce. 6 Harrington Court—continuation The applicant requested to reconsider previously approved windows. This item was provisionally approved at previous meeting. The Commission received a directive from the City Solicitor to vote on the item again. No public comment. VOTE: Mr. Meche motioned to provisionally approve the Jeld-Wen windows as a de minimis change from previously applied-for Pella product: all other previously discussed stipulations would apply. Ms. English seconded the motion. Roll Call: English, Martinez, Meche, Tyler-Lewis, Spang were in favor and the motion so carried. 19 1/2 Washington Square BPM Productions applied for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install lift on rear of building. Tina Jordan and Biff Michaud, CEO of the Salem Witch Museum, were present. Mr. Michaud said that the Museum is one of the most visited in the United States, with 16 million visitors and 28 million website visits per year, with a very active online store. Mr. Michaud noted that local deliveries to property are extensive (on average 60 deliveries per day). Mr. Michaud spoke to spinal injuries sustained (personal and employees) due to labor involved with accepting deliveries. Mr. Michaud researched a cargo lift to support. A company in Texas was identified, which was said to have passed every code of every city and town in the United States (and some in Canada). Mr. Michaud cited having worked with former City inspector on planning for this project. Mr. Michaud noted that $600,000 had been invested in restoring rear side of building, $1 million on front facade, and various other improvements to the property. Mr. Michaud noted that minimum-sized gated lift was procured, with an emergency stop also specified on lift. Mr. Michaud noted owning part of Kimball Court. Map view of property line was shown. Mr. Michaud indicated that the lift would be installed on Kimball Court side of property. An image showing the lift parked at second floor of property was shown. Mr. Michaud also noted that the aluminum posts of the lift could be painted Essex Green. Mr. Michaud estimated that two to three inches of the lift would be visible from Brown Street upon installation. Mr. Michaud also suggested that the lift would always be parked in the second floor position except when receiving deliveries. Chair Spang said that a fence should be placed around the footprint where the lift would land. Chair Spang proposed undertaking a site visit and also receiving a drawing of where the lift would be placed.  Historical Commission meeting minutes August 21, 2024 Page 2 of 6 Mr. Martinez noted that the lift would be minimally visible from Brown Street. Mr. Michaud said that the existing second floor window would remain and used to accept deliveries from the lift. Mr. Martinez did not feel that the lift needed to be painted Essex Green. Mr. Meche questioned who would install the lift and indicated the need for drawings to be submitted. A&R was the identified as installer with Buckley Elevator (the company that does interior elevators at the Museum) providing oversight. Public comment: Richard Brooks, husband of owner of 2 Kimball Court. Mr. Brooks said that it was unfair that photographs of other lifts were shown at a public hearing. Mr. Brooks did not feel that the photographs did justice to what the installation would look like. Mr. Brooks questioned if Kimball Court was a public or a private way. Ms. Kelleher stated that she had confirmed with City Solicitor that this is a private way. Mr. Brooks did not feel that a lift would add to historic fabric of the neighborhood. Mr. Brooks also questioned if the lift would be visible from Howard Street. Chair Spang noted that SHC jurisdiction did not extend to Howard Street. Laurie Brooks, owner of 2 Kimball Court. Expressed gratitude to SHC and was in favor of site visit. Ms. Brooks said that the lift would be on the side rather than the back of Mr. Michaud’s building. Ms. Brooks was of the opinion that the lift would amount to a five-foot extension into Kimball Court. Ms. Brooks expressed concern over impediments to the street coming from the Museum, such as dumpsters. Ms. Brooks did not feel that the lift would enhance or add to the historic look of the neighborhood. Ms. Brooks also said that the manufacturer’s website identified the lift as a hazard. Mr. Michaud reiterated that safety devices would be installed on the lift, such as an emergency braking mechanism. Cindy Cronin, identified having grown up on 2 Kimball Court. Ms. Cronin expressed agreement with Richard and Laurie Brooks’ comments, i.e. did not feel that the lift would add any historical value to the neighborhood, and could be a safety issue. Mr. Martinez and Chair Spang advised the applicants to produce a site plan showing definitive location for planned installation. VOTE: Mr. Martinez motioned to continue the application to allow time for a site visit. Ms. English seconded the motion. Roll Call: English, Martinez, Meche, Tyler-Lewis, Spang were in favor and the motion so carried. 250 Highland Avenue Logan Chases applied for a Waiver of Demolition Delay to demolish existing structure. The applicant requested to withdraw application without prejudice. VOTE: Mr. Martinez motioned to accept the application withdrawal without prejudice. Ms. English seconded the motion. Roll Call: English, Martinez, Meche, Tyler-Lewis, Spang were in favor and the motion so carried.  Historical Commission meeting minutes August 21, 2024 Page 3 of 6 29 Washington Square—continuation Bertram Home applied for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace windows. The applicants requested a continuation while working with local architect to obtain drawings. VOTE: Mr. Meche motioned to continue the application. Ms. English seconded the motion. Roll Call: English, Martinez, Meche, Tyler-Lewis, Spang were in favor and the motion so carried. 31 Chestnut Street—continuation Michael Selbst applied for a Certificate of Appropriateness for EV charging station (after the fact). Mr. Selbst requested a continuation. VOTE: Mr. Martinez motioned to continue the application. Ms. English seconded the motion. Roll Call: English, Martinez, Meche, Tyler-Lewis, Spang were in favor and the motion so carried. 10 Flint Street—continuation Mark Gelaides applied for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install heat pump mini split (after the fact). Ms. Tyler-Lewis abstained from discussion as an abutter. Mr. Gelaides noted having been asked to move line sets on outside of house to the inside. Mr. Gelaides said that the contractor on the project highly discouraged moving line sets, suggesting that significant tearing out of interior walls and ceilings would need to occur (at significant cost). Mr. Gelaides noted that another contractor was not an option. Chair Spang asked if the line sets could be run on the other side of the house. Mr. Gelaides was open to running alternate options by contractor. Mr. Meche noted that the line sets merely needed a vertical route to enter property (not necessarily within the wall) with subsequent patchwork to be undertaken by a carpenter. Mr. Martinez noted that the angular orientation of the installed line sets was most objectionable. Chair Spang drew a mockup of running the line sets alongside existing downspouts. Mr. Gelaides speculated that the installers would have to move the head unit on the interior. No public comment. VOTE: Ms. English motioned to continue the application to allow the applicant to paint line sets color of the house for further consideration by the Commission. Mr. Martinez seconded the motion. Roll Call: Meche, Martinez, English, Tyler-Lewis (abstained), Spang were in favor and the motion so carried.  Historical Commission meeting minutes August 21, 2024 Page 4 of 6 96 Derby Street—continuation Erika Steinke (Harris) applied for a Certificate of Appropriateness for a window replacement. Erika Steinke (Harris) was present. Ms. Kelleher reminded the Commission that the windows being requested had already been installed at 100 Derby Street. Mr. Meche and Ms. Tyler-Lewis stated that they had visited 100 Derby Street since the last meeting and felt that the windows looked okay. Ms. Harris said that the windows would be installed from the interior with a half screen, thus maintaining the exterior trim and surround. Ms. Kelleher noted to Mr. Martinez that all windows would be replaced on this house. Chair Spang asked if that included even the small windows by the porch area, which Mr. Harris affirmed. Ms. Harris affirmed that the exterior of windows would be black. Ms. Harris also noted that the new windows - which would be insulated - would not have storms. The window type was previously identified as Harvey Majesty double-hung 6 over 6 black aluminum clad exterior with half screens, a true wood window. Ms. Harris noted that the entry door would remain as-is with the above window not replaced. Mr. Meche clarified that just the sash would be black, with trim to remain white. No public comment. VOTE: Mr. Meche motioned to approve the application to install windows with half screens, sash black, rest of trim to match existing trim, transom light over door to remain and be painted black, and any other existing windows to remain could be painted black. Mr. Martinez seconded the motion. Roll Call: English, Martinez, Meche, Tyler-Lewis, Spang were in favor and the motion so carried. 33 Carlton Street Joel Nelson applied for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install entry canopy. Mr. Nelson was present with Bruno Pinheiro of Cupertino’s Carpentry. Mr. Nelson showed drawings and precedent images for canopy. The applicants said the canopy would be cedar with shingled roof cover, connected to building above the front door. Drawings and dimensions were provided. Ms. Kelleher lauded research that had been undertaken on existing door hoods in neighborhood. Mr. Meche requested a PDF version of the JPEG file that was submitted. Mr. Martinez was in favor of the proposed hood. Chair Spang proposed white paint and black shingles, which Mr. Nelson affirmed. Mr. Meche spoke to the need to achieve an ideal placement of the trim moldings with belt course. No public comment. VOTE: Ms. English motioned to approve the application. Ms. Tyler-Lewis seconded the motion. Roll Call: English, Martinez, Meche, Tyler-Lewis, Spang were in favor and the motion so carried.  Historical Commission meeting minutes August 21, 2024 Page 5 of 6 49 Washington Square David Gedarovich and Ashley Callahan applied for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace windows. The applicants were present with Max Bazarov, window installer representative. Mr. Bazarov noted that two windows on ground level were damaged. The windows were original to the home. Some of the windows were already replaced with Pella Reserve Architect line. An image of the property was shown. The proposal was to use Pella Reserve to match existing look with newer windows, black exterior, white interior, full frame installation on bottom; as well as a replacement bathroom window not visible from the street. Mr. Bazarov requested a site visit to inspect existing window conditions. Some of the home’s windows were said to be clad but this was later determined an error: the windows were all wood. Chair Spang prioritized matching all windows on the ground level; the unbroken ones were identified as all wood. Ms. Kelleher cited a 2020 application where Pella Architect windows had previously been approved at this property (with the exception of the basement windows). Mr. Martinez asked for clarification on whether some windows were clad versus wood. Mr. Martinez did not want to add more clad windows to the property. Public comment: Barbara Swartz, 47 Washington Sq, noted that all windows are Pella Architect Series with the exception of the ground level windows which were damaged by vandals. Ms. Swartz noted that there are no clad windows on the house. VOTE: Ms. English motioned to approve the application as submitted: all wood, no clad, to match other windows in the same plane, with same glass area. Mr. Meche seconded the motion. Roll Call: Tyler- Lewis, Meche, Martinez, English, Spang were in favor and the motion so carried. 387 Essex Street Joshua Snyder and Ashley Gutierrez Snyder applied for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install heat pumps. Ms. Kelleher presented materials on behalf of the applicants, who were absent. She recommended a site visit to assess visibility of proposed changes. VOTE: Mr. Meche motioned to continue the application to conduct site visit. Ms. English seconded the motion. Roll Call: English, Martinez, Meche, Tyler-Lewis, Spang were in favor and the motion so carried. Reschedule date for October 2, 2024 meeting due to holiday Ms. Kelleher proposed moving the October 2nd meeting to October 9th. Ms. Kelleher said that other Commission members would be polled.  Historical Commission meeting minutes August 21, 2024 Page 6 of 6 Other Business Correspondences Ms. Kelleher noted having received correspondences from Historic Salem Inc. regarding City’s proposal for 40R zoning. Also, a new area form was completed for St. Mary’s Church (Lifebridge), and Mass Historic delivered opinion that this area was eligible for listing in National Historic Register. SHC members were asked to review and deliver remarks. Minutes VOTE: Ms. English motioned to approve the July 10 set of minutes, pending identification of who seconded motion for 10 Flint Street. Mr. Meche seconded the motion. Roll Call: English, Meche, Tyler- Lewis, Martinez, Spang were in favor and the motion so carried. Adjournment VOTE: Ms. English motioned to adjourn. Mr. Meche seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion so carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:27 PM. Respectfully submitted, Dan Graham, Historical Commission Clerk