Historic District Commission

CITY OF TAUNTON MASSACHUSETTS Established 1639 Historic District Commission William A. Manganiello, Chair Temporary City Hall Barbara Mullen, Vice Chair 141 Oak Street Norma Jean Barbour Taunton, Massachusetts 02780 Robert D. Dickerman (508) 821-1418 Joseph Norte Charles Thayer _________________ Shannon Valentino, Secretary Minutes January 26, 2017 A regular meeting of the Historic District Commission was held on Thursday, January 26, 2017. Present were William A. Manganiello, Joseph Norte, Norma Barbour, and Robert Dickerman. Meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. Minutes – The Board members each reviewed the minutes of the December 15, 2016 meeting for accuracy. Motion made by Robert Dickerman, seconded by Joseph Norte and unanimously passed to approve the minutes from the December 15, 2016 meeting. Old Business – None New Business  67 Summer Street – Present: Architect David Sisson, Homeowner Sean Gimler and Jill. Mr. Sisson explains that there was a fire at 67 Summer Street in September of 2016. All 4 apartments were occupied at the time of the fire. The fire was in the bathroom of the first floor apartment at the rear of the building. Although everyone was able to escape from the building safely, the occupants of the rear apartment on the second floor had trouble exiting the building due to the only exit being a narrow service stairway at the rear of the building. They have plans for several reconfigurations inside the house. They are proposing a brand new door on the front of the house for the first floor apartment. They are also proposing a rear stair on the outside of the house. Mr. Sisson mentioned several changes to the inside of the home that don’t involve the Board. Mr. Gimler explains that you will not be able to see the alterations to the rear of the building from the street. Mr. Sisson explains that the front view of the home will not change at all. They would like to remove a window that is listed as item #5 on his diagram and replace it with a door. They would like to replace it with a 9 over 9 door that will look similar to the window that is there now. They would like to remove the door that is located on the side of the house on the second level and replace it with a window to match the existing windows on the home. They would like to add stairs at the rear, add a door to the second level and replace a window with a door on the first level. Mr. Gimler states that they will replace the soffit on the side of the building that was removed due to the fire. Mr. Sisson briefly went over changes to the interior 1  configuration of the home and states that they would like to remove a window on the second floor (item 8), remove a door (item 9), add a window (item 6), and add an egress window (item 7) to the lowest level to support a basement apartment. Commissioner Norte asks if they are adding an addition to the rear of the home. Mr. Gimler says no, they are just adding exterior stairs that you shouldn’t be able to see from the road. He states that they will probably use pressure treated wood with a semi-transparent grey stain to tone down the natural wood. He confirms that it will be an emergency egress. Mr. Sisson explains that the front door will be the primary way into the building with the exception of the basement unit. In terms of exterior materials, they plan on matching everything to the existing, including clapboard, trim and doors. He believes that the current windows are replacement windows. He thinks that the windows on the rear of the house may be the originals, which are 6 over 6. They would like to use a colonial style grille on a vinyl window to be the replacement. They would like to use Anderson American Craftsman window. Commissioner Norte asks if the grille will be between the glass. Mr. Sisson believes so. Mr. Gimler states that is what is on the front. Mr. Sisson states the only other thing they are suggesting are doors at the rear of the house. White single lite, single panel with grille. Chairman Manganiello asks for copies of the door and window illustrations. Commissioner Norte states that he knows it’s not the Board’s jurisdiction, but he asks if they will be doing a window well around the basement window. Mr. Gimler says yes they plan on doing the typical galvanized half bowl just so that people can climb out in case there is a fire. Chairman Manganiello states that the only place on the structure that would significantly concern the Board would be item #5, the front door. It seems that they will be maintaining the esthetics of the current structure and in some cases improve it. He states that it appears they will be maintaining the esthetics at the back of the home as well. Commissioner Norte states the Board just allowed the brick building located across the street to change some windows to doors. Chairman Manganiello states the spec sheets seem to be appropriate. Commissioner Norte asks if everything else, including the clapboard would match the existing. Mr. Gimler says yes. Motion made by Joseph Norte for approval as presented with the specification sheet as well as the photographs with the captions of the items provided by the applicant Chairman Manganiello would like the record to reflect that there is no one present in the audience and no opposition. He moves for a vote as presented by Commissioner Norte with the stipulation that the siding and window frames be replaced with similar material, seconded by Robert Dickerman and unanimously passed. General Business – None Administrative:  FB Rogers memorial – Commissioner Thayer is not present. Commissioner Dickerman is waiting to review Commissioner Thayer’s proposal. The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m. Shannon Valentino Secretary to the Commission The next regular meeting of the Historic District Commission will be held on Thursday, February 23, 2017 at Temporary City Hall, 141 Oak Street, Auditorium at 7:00 pm. 2