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 Robert D. Dickerman Taunton, Massachusetts 02780 Michele Monteiro (508) 821-1418 Joseph Norte Steve Rogers Charles Thayer _________________ Shannon Valentino, Secretary Minutes January 24, 2019 A regular meeting of the Historic District Commission was held on Thursday, January 24, 2019. Present were William A. Manganiello, Steve Rogers, Charles Thayer and Robert Dickerman. Meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. Minutes – The Board members each reviewed the minutes of the November 29, 2018 meeting for accuracy. Motion made by Commissioner Thayer, seconded by Commissioner Rogers and unanimously passed to approve the minutes from the November 29, 2018 meeting. On discussion, Commissioner Dickerman pointed out that on the second page, 4th line down of the November 29th minutes, should read at his brother’s house not the mother’s house. New Business – Girl’s Inc. 131 Arlington Street – Chairman Manganiello would like the record to reflect that the project proponents are the only folks in the room. Present are Executive Director Jessica Johnstone Darling and member of the Board of Trustees Melissa Denzler. Ms. Darling states that they would like to repurpose the lawn area and parking lot. They want to move their parking lot to the back section of the property where a building was torn down a few years ago and a portion of it where it is now. They would like to increase their green space and improve safety of the building and the girls while outside. A plan is shown to the Commissioners. They would like to get rid of the chain link fence and put in a 6 foot stockade style fence made of either wood or vinyl and plant some shrubbery to soften the look. On the walkway side, they would like to start with a 6 foot fence and graduate down to 4 or 5 feet at the gate so that they will be able to see the buses when the girls are dropped off. Chairman Manganiello asks what material they would like to use for the fence. Ms. Denzler states because they are a nonprofit, they were leaning towards the most cost effective material which would be wood. Commissioner Thayer expresses concern about the height of the fence and the line of sight for cars approaching Dean Street from Arlington Street and suggests they look at the safety issues. Chairman Manganiello would like them to come back before the Board with a picture or manufacturer’s catalog rendition of the style they would like to use. Ms. Darling and Ms. Denzler are agreeable. Ms. Darling asks if it is okay to connect the two separate pieces of chain link fence at the rear of the property with the same chain link fencing. Chairman Manganiello states that it is not an issue in the back end of the property. Ms. Denzler asks if the proposed changes to the parking lot and grass are an issue. Chairman Manganiello states there are no issues. Motion made by Commissioner Thayer to continue the matter to Thursday February 28th, seconded by Commissioner Rogers, unanimously passed. 1 Old Business – None General Business – None Administrative - Chairman Manganiello states that a letter was distributed to the Commissioners from VHB, consultant for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, asking whether or not the Commission had any input as to any historical significance with regard to a highway project that will be conducted on Route 140 near the interchange of the Silver City Galleria. Chairman Manganiello states that he has looked into it and there is no historical significance and the Board has not input. Motion to adjourn made by Commissioner Dickerman, seconded by Commissioner Rogers and unanimously passed. The meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m. Shannon Valentino Secretary to the Commission 2