Historical Commission

SALEM HISTORICAL COMMISSION MINUTES February 5, 2025 A meeting of the Salem Historical Commission was held on February 5, 2025 at 6:00PM via Zoom Virtual Meeting. Present were Vijay Joyce (Chair), Mark Meche, Milo Martinez, Kelly Tyler-Lewis, Margarida Raka-Goncalves (arrived late), Rebecca English (arrived late). Staff: Patti Kelleher 377 Essex Street–continuation Maureen McCarthy applied for a Certificate of Appropriateness to alter chimney after the fact. Ms. Kelleher reported that the applicant requested to withdraw the application and has submitted a new application for a Certificate of Hardship for the work completed. VOTE: Ms. Tyler-Lewis motioned to continue the application. Mr. Meche seconded the motion. Roll Call: Meche, Martinez, Tyler-Lewis, Joyce were in favor and the motion so carried. Margarida Raka-Goncalves joined at this time. Salem Common Front Entry Landscape Improvements – Request for Comment The City of Salem requested initial comments on concept design phase of Salem Common Front Entry Landscape Improvements. Robyn Lee (staff planner) and Mike Crounse were present from the City of Salem as was Jon Ouellette from Halvorson Design. Mr. Ouellette delivered a slideshow presentation on the concept design for this project. The project boundary and existing conditions were identified. Mr. Ouellette identified goals to provide improvements to the Salem Common’s park infrastructure and plantings (at the SW entry corner). Additional hardscape improvements were identified, such as replacing all metal edgings of the stone dust promenade and repairing or replacing stone dust surfacing as needed. Lawn area and planting improvements were also summarized. Site amenities, electrical, and irrigation improvements were also summarized. Mr. Ouellette said that assessments of primary and secondary vehicle routes in the Common were conducted, particularly those occurring in the month of October. Mr. Ouellette said that paving is proposed to increase at SW corner / main entry point of the Common as well as existing promenades (12’ to 15’) and paths (5’ to 8’), depending on tree locations. Precedent materials and plantings were shown. Mr. Ouellette asked the Commission for recommendations on material use. Mr. Martinez spoke to the importance of materiality in the Common and advised maintaining exposed stone aggregate on surface of paths rather than using modern concrete. Mr. Martinez did not want to see one of the existing paths lost to a larger stone dust configuration. Mr. Ouellette clarified that the stone dust path Mr. Martinez identified would remain. Mr. Martinez wanted to see that path remain as a distinct pathway which could be accomplished through a different material than the surrounding stone dust lot. Mr. Martinez noted that the Historical Commission does not have jurisdiction over grade changes. Mr. Meche recommended that the SE to NW promenade be allowed to remain more organically designed than the straight edge as proposed, and recommended that the planners consult aerial views of this part of the Common.  Historical Commission meeting minutes February 5, 2025 Page 2 of 7 Ms. Lee said that the same presentation would be delivered to the Parks and Rec Commission on February 18 and a future community meeting would be planned. Ms. Kelleher said that a letter of the Commission’s comments would be furnished to the presenters. Ms. Kelleher and Chair Joyce recommended that interested members of the public email comments to pkelleher@salem.com. El Centro, 315 Derby Street, 73-87 and 89 Lafayette Street and 9 and 15 Peabody Street - Update on project and Section 106 Consultation process Quinn Stuart (VHB) and Irene Podgur Vogel from the North Shore CDC were present. Ms. Stuart presented a slideshow. The project was awarded funding through the North Shore Home Consortium, with a Project Initiation Letter sent to MHC in November 2024. The previous 18-month demolition delay expired in Sept 2023, and the project did not apply for demolition within the 6-month timeline required. Ms. Vogel said that the project would provide much needed services, housing, and beautification to the area. Ms. Vogel said that all local permitting had been obtained and that Chapter 91 licensing process was ongoing given the site’s waterfront location. Ms. Vogel was hopeful that demolition and construction would begin by the end of 2025. Ms. Vogel said that a City-owned culvert running under the site would also be repaired during this project. Various renderings were shown of the El Centro, Northshore Bank + Healthcare Center, as well as the Peabody building, from various vantage points and directions, including south across South River/Harbor Walk. Chair Joyce questioned if the renderings were based on construction documents. Mr. Meche questioned what would happen if the drive thru were to go away at adjacent bank. Ms. Vogel discussed the planned drive thru locations. Public comment: Louis Sirianni, Historic Salem Inc. representative, said that El Centro was a great building for the city, and that the applicants have been responsive to comments from HSI. Mr. Sirianni said that a letter would be furnished to Ms. Kelleher with additional comments. Becky English joined at this time. 152-156 Derby Street–continuation 156 Derby Street LLC applied for a Certificate of Appropriateness for siding and window replacement. Patrick Shea was present. A site visit was conducted in the interim to discuss colors and windows. Chair Joyce noted that colors proposed for building had been tweaked.  Historical Commission meeting minutes February 5, 2025 Page 3 of 7 A photograph of the updated colors was shown - black and blue colors to be used for storefront. Siding and trim color were also shown for the second story of building. The trim color was altered so as to not be the same as body color of first floor. Chair Joyce also said that the replacement windows used at the former Captain Dusty’s project across the street on Derby would be used for second and third floors, with the first floor windows remaining the same. Mr. Meche clarified that the windows across the street had been approved by the Board but that this was not an endorsement of the product. Mr. Shea said that the windows were readily available in response to Ms. Goncalves’ question. The siding was said to be Hardie Plank smooth side out in Iron Gray. Mr. Shea said that the trim would be PVC painted Black Forest Green. Mr. Meche asked if cornerboards, rakes, and eaves would also be the same color, which Mr. Shea affirmed. Regarding the rake return, Chair Joyce advised that the width should be determined by the existing cornerboard. Chair Joyce showed 137 Derby St as an example to emulate. Mr. Meche pointed out that there was no bed molding on Mr. Shea’s building. Matthew Brothers was identified as the window manufacturer. Mr. Martinez asked for clarification that trim would be replaced with PVC, which Mr. Shea affirmed. Mr. Martinez said that long runs of PVC would not be ideal for trim given that it would expand and contract with temperature changes. Mr. Shea expressed concerns about using Hardie for trim. Mr. Meche did not mind PVC trim if it was painted. Mr. Meche said that Hardie trim would be about the same price as PVC. Mr. Martinez and Ms. English were amenable to wood or Hardie trim. Mr. Shea said that the windows would be Matthews Brothers with 5/8" muntins, a space bar, factory painted black, either 4 over 1 or 6 over 1, with trim to match existing, and trim added to top two windows. Mr. Martinez noted that the first floor windows should be black instead of red, if the upper floor windows would be black. No public comment. VOTE: Mr. Meche motioned to approve the siding as revised (Hardie, smooth side out, Iron Gray), windows as submitted in a combination of 4 over 1 and 6 over 1 as discussed. Ms. Goncalves seconded the motion. Roll Call: Meche, Martinez, Tyler-Lewis, Goncalves, English, Joyce were in favor and the motion so carried. VOTE: Mr. Meche motioned to approve wood or composite for window trim to be painted Benjamin Moore Black Forest Green with Mr. Martinez deputized to confirm details with applicant. Mr. Martinez seconded the motion. Roll Call: Meche, Martinez, Tyler-Lewis, Goncalves, English, Joyce were in favor and the motion so carried. 152-156 Derby Street 156 Derby Street LLC applied for a Certificate of Appropriateness for paint colors and signage for storefront. ● Application: 1/21/2025 ● Slideshow/photographs Griffin Dunn and Patrick Shea were present. The applicant was not prepared to discuss signage. Paint colors for body (semi-gloss black) and doors (Hamilton Blue) were shown. The sash color of storefront  Historical Commission meeting minutes February 5, 2025 Page 4 of 7 windows would be in the same black. Mr. Shea said that each window could also have a copper wrap for sills. Ms. English asked if the lights would be retained, which Mr. Dunn affirmed and said would be painted black. Mr. Martinez asked if high gloss sheen could be used for the doors, which Mr. Dunn affirmed. No public comment. VOTE: Mr. Martinez motioned to approve the application as submitted with the change that doors will be in a high gloss finish. Ms. English seconded the motion. Roll Call: Meche, Martinez, Tyler-Lewis, Goncalves, English, Joyce were in favor and the motion so carried. VOTE: Ms. Goncalves motioned to continue the signage portion of the application. Mr. Martinez seconded the motion. Roll Call: Meche, Martinez, Tyler-Lewis, Goncalves, English, Joyce were in favor and the motion so carried. 10 Broad Street–continuation Brett McCarty applied for a Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior wall vent after the fact. Chair Joyce reiterated that the vent was inadvertently installed without permission because the application process did not flag it as an item that needed to be reviewed. Ms. McCarty was open to deferring the application until Ms. Kelleher could identify potential resolutions. Ms. Kelleher noted that an application on Derby Street was deferred for a period of 18 months until the homeowner determined a pathway forward. Ms. McCarty preferred to defer moving the vent until a future date when the roof would be replaced. No public comment. VOTE: Mr. Meche motioned to continue the application to the next meeting. Ms. English seconded the motion. Roll Call: Meche, Martinez, Tyler-Lewis, Goncalves, English, Joyce were in favor and the motion so carried. 78 Memorial Drive Michelle Dalton (formerly Watkinson) applied for a Waiver of Demolition Delay to demolish more than 50% of roof on building older than 50 years. ● Application: 1/16/2025 ● Slideshow/photographs Michelle Dalton and Abbie Ellis (of Savoie Nolan Architects) were present. Ms. Ellis said that the plan was to alter roof (due to low pitch) and create a Cape style home. Elevation drawings were shown. Ms. Kelleher said that the property was not in the National Register of Historic Places and did not have an historic inventory form. Ms. Dalton shared that the house was built in the 1950s and that Korean War veterans were the first occupants of homes in this neighborhood, purchasing the homes for $1. Mr. Meche and Mr. Martinez opined that a gambrel on the street-facing side was a curious choice and suggested that the main roof be gambrel, eliminating the need for a front dormer.  Historical Commission meeting minutes February 5, 2025 Page 5 of 7 No public comment. VOTE: Ms. English motioned to find that the building not historically significant. Ms. Goncalves seconded the motion. Roll Call: Meche, Martinez, Tyler-Lewis, Goncalves, English, Joyce were in favor and the motion so carried. 256 Lafayette Street, Unit 2 Maureen Reiser applied for a Certificate of Appropriateness for windows. ● Application: 1/15/2025 ● Slideshow/photographs Maureen Reiser was present. Ms. Reiser requested to replace windows on the first floor, two front facade windows and two side windows. Photographs of the windows planned for replacement were shown. Ms. Reiser was unsure as to which type of windows would be used. Ms. Kelleher was unable to reach the contractor. Ms. Kelleher noted that owner of unit 3 was approved for Andersen 400 or Anderson 400 Woodwright windows. Commission members proposed that Andersen 400 Woodwright be used on the first floor application as well. No public comment. VOTE: Ms. Goncalves motioned to approve the application to match the previously approved Andersen 400 windows, with paint and trim to match existing. Ms. English seconded the motion. Roll Call: Meche, Martinez, Tyler-Lewis, Goncalves, English, Joyce were in favor and the motion so carried. 53 Appleton Street David Titus applied for a Waiver of Demolition Delay to demolish more than 50% of roof on building older than 50 years. ● Application: 1/20/2025 ● Slideshow/photographs Lisa Speziale (of Works by JD) and Mike Titus were present. Ms. Speziale showed plans for a new Nantucket-style dormer on the ca. 1930 2-family house. The back portion of the roof would not be changed. A Google Maps view of the home was shown. Ms. Kelleher noted that the building has not been historically surveyed, though other buildings in the area have been inventoried. The Commission agreed that the house was a well-preserved example of its historical style. Mr. Titus believed the original construction date was in the 1930s. No public comment. VOTE: Mr. Meche motioned to find the home historically significant. Ms. English seconded the motion. Roll Call: Meche, Martinez, Tyler-Lewis, Goncalves, English, Joyce were in favor and the motion so carried.  Historical Commission meeting minutes February 5, 2025 Page 6 of 7 VOTE: Ms. English motioned to find the home not preferably preserved, specifically in terms of the application’s proposed alterations to the roof, with an amendment from Mr. Meche to ensure that the roof plane wraps around the dormers. Mr. Meche seconded the motion. Roll Call: Meche, Martinez, Tyler- Lewis, Goncalves, English, Joyce were in favor and the motion so carried. 1 Hamilton Street–continuation Achraf Toussirt and Kate Perez applied for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install heat pump/condenser. The applicants were not present. Ms. Kelleher was in communication with contractor. Ms. Kelleher learned that the work has already been undertaken. Three condensers had existed on the property for many years and were approved in 2005. For this project, one condenser was replaced with a larger unit, and the units were moved further away from the building according to code. The owners had received approval to install the condensers in the location in 2005, as well as a fence for screening. Ms. Kelleher did not find evidence that any fence or screening were ever installed. Mr. Meche also noted that no details existed as to which type of fence should have been installed. Ms. Kelleher proposed working with the owners on screening. VOTE: Mr. Meche motioned to continue the application to the next meeting to provide opportunity for owners to proposed screening. Ms. Tyler-Lewis seconded the motion. Roll Call: Meche, Martinez, Tyler-Lewis, Goncalves, English, Joyce were in favor and the motion so carried. City of Salem The City of Salem requested a determination of historic significance for building document collection. Ms. Kelleher said the City is seeking CPA funds to catalogue the documents in the basement of Old Town Hall. In order to be eligible for this funding, the resource must be evaluated by the SHC as historically significant. Among the documents uncovered were ledgers, building plans, building permits, applications to build, etc. for buildings built after the 1914 fire. No public comment. VOTE: Ms. Tyler-Lewis motioned to find the building documents historically significant. Ms. Goncalves seconded the motion. Roll Call: Meche, Martinez, Tyler-Lewis, Goncalves, English, Joyce were in favor and the motion so carried. Other Business Minutes VOTE: Ms. English motioned to approve minutes for the December 18, 2024, January 8, 2025, and January 22, 2025 meetings. Mr. Meche seconded the motion. Roll Call: Tyler-Lewis, Martinez, English, Meche, Goncalves, Joyce were in favor and the motion so carried.  Historical Commission meeting minutes February 5, 2025 Page 7 of 7 Potential New Commissioners Ms. Kelleher said that potential new Commission members would soon be considered at the City Council for appointments: Brendan Murray of Murray Masonry (as an alternate member) and Robert Peterson, retired architect (as a regular member). 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 9:25 PM. Respectfully submitted, Dan Graham, Historical Commission Clerk