Historic District Commission

City of Taunton MASSACHUSETTS Established 1639 Historic District Commission Charles Thayer City Hall Robert Dickerman 15 Summer Street Michele Monteiro Taunton, Massachusetts 02780 Joseph Norte Steve Rogers Bruce Thomas _________________________ Samantha Mills, Secretary MINUTES – JUNE 23, 2022 A regular meeting of the Historic District Commission was held on Thursday, June 23, 2022. Present were, Joseph Norte, Steve Rogers, Robert Dickerman, Michelle Monteiro, Bruce Thomas and Charles Thayer. Meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. Minutes – The Board members each reviewed the minutes of the June 2, 2022 meeting for accuracy. Motion made by Charles Thayer, seconded by Michele Monteiro and unanimously passed to approve the minutes from the June 2, 2022 meeting. New Business- 12 Porter Street- Petitioner Hannah Will Cassidy is called to the table for her presentation, she is accompanied by Mike Cassidy. This property is located at 12 Porter Street, it is the MM Rhodes Factory. Ms. Cassidy presents a PowerPoint presentation stating that the goal is to seek support from the Historic Commission for demolition of buildings 2, 4, 5, and 7. Their mission is to revitalize the historic site, by preserving what can be saved. Ms. Cassidy states that the state of the property being dormant has led to vandalism, vagrants, and unsavory activities. LSP has conducted environmental Clean-up plan submitted to MA-DEP (RTN 4 -0026360). Contamination around buildings Asbestos, lead, arsenic, benzo(a)pyrene, They state that they are unable to conduct further testing inside buildings as several are in a state of collapsing. Ms. Cassidy reiterates her mission to gain the support of the commission for a selective demolition in order to clean up a contaminated site. Cassidy gives a brief history of the MM Rhodes Factory. She states that the factory’s history is highlighted as being the oldest family owned company in the United States. Marcus Morton Rhodes founded his company in 1861 in the old Taunton Umbrella Factory. Following in his father’s footsteps, he produced metal tacks like many other manufacturers in Taunton. The company became M.M. Rhodes & Sons in 1870 and shortly thereafter, repurposed their machines in what appears to be the first of many reinventions of itself. The Franco -Prussian war all but severed the supply line of shoe buttons to the states. M.M. Rhodes seized on the opportunity and began to produce “jappaned” or lacquered metal shoe buttons. Within two years, Rhodes patented several processes in the manufacturing of papier -mâché shoe buttons and became a major supplier in the shoe button industry in in the United States for the next 50 years. Production improvements in the shoe manufacturing (45% of which were produced in Massachusetts) lead to the decline of the shoe button industry. M.M. Rhodes and Sons pivoted yet again and embarked on wiring and staple manufacturing until production ceased in 2014. Over the factory’s 153 years in operation, the Rhodes family maintained ownership of the 1.4 - acre site in the center of Taunton until its sale in May 2022. Thanks to the Rhodes brothers, Tim and George, numerous artifacts have been preserved and are ready to be displayed, paying tribute to a bygone era. The Main Building #1, built in 1880, 30x100, brick, 3 story factory. Cassidy believes this building is structurally sound and able to be restored. Tumbler Building #3, built in 1893, 15’x50’, brick, 2 story. Cassidy also believes this building is structurally sound and can be restored. Warehouse Building #6 built 1960, metal sided. Able to be restored, it is being used as storage. Building will continue to stay on site, but may be relocated at a later time. Paint Shop #5, built in 1865. Partially collapsed, wooden, contaminated with asbestos and lead. Ms. Cassidy expressed that although this building is the most visually appealing of the property, and she would like to be able to repurpose it, the condition of the building combined with the contaminants result in it being dangerous to continue to stay dormant. Engine House #4, built in 1888-90. Partially collapsed, missing much of the roof, structurally unsafe, contaminated with asbestos and lead. Storehouse #7, built in 1893. Wooden roof which is collapsed, and brick that can be repurposed. Cassidy explains to the commission that they are not able to test the ground underneath the structure, due to the vibration of the tool which would result in the collapse of the structure. This site is considered toxic, and if it falls without the proper remediation could cause a more hazardous situation. Commissioner Monteiro asks for clarification of the initial proposal for the number of buildings to be demolished. Cassidy explains it is a total of 4 buildings that would be restored, 3 buildings of substantial size, and one very small saw dust building which is only 9x14. Commissioner Thayer asks if there is any renderings or concepts of the future restoration process. Cassidy explains, not at this time, her purpose right now is just to gain support for the demolition. She did share that the vision for the property is to create 15 historical 1890s style townhomes, and 12 rental spaces in existing buildings. Townhomes would hopefully be made of brick that is decontaminated from the other buildings on site. Commissioner Thayer moves to approve the proposed plan with the Taunton Historic Commission’s support with the stipulation that elevations and plans be presented for further mitigation. Commissioner Monteiro amends the motion to include demolition. Bruce Thomas seconds the motion. It is unanimously approved by all members. 2 Chestnut Street- Petitioner Daniel Waltz approaches the table to present his project. Mr. Waltz’s goal is to seek the commission’s approval to replace the storm windows on his home. Mr. Waltz purchased his home in 2002, since then the windows have become less and less functional. He states that some do not open, and the sealing is completely gone on most of them. He shows pictures of the windows to the board as well as a prototype of the window he wishes to replace it with. He will be hiring B & D Construction to install the windows and the window he will be purchasing is the Larson- 3 track double hung performance series. Commissioner Steve Rogers motions to approve as proposed. Commissioner Bruce Thomas seconds the motion. It is unanimously approved by the commission. General Business- Commissioner Michele Monteiro makes mention of a previous discussion to create a set of standards that the Historic Commission can give to help guide property owners when planning renovations etc. Joe Norte asked for volunteers for an ad-hawk committee. Steve Rogers, Michele Montiero, and Joe Norte volunteer to be on said committee. Our next meeting will be held on July 14th. Motion to adjourn made by Robert Dickerman, seconded by Michelle Monteiro and unanimously passed. The meeting adjourned at 7:43 p.m. Samantha Mills Secretary to the Commission