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1998 Historical Commission minutesl CITY HALL NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION CITY HALL 210 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060 Official Meeting Notice Northampton Historical Commission +------------------ - - - - -+ DATE: Monday, January 5, 1998 ;If you will be unable TIME: 5:30 p.m. ;to attend, please call ; PLACE: Council on Aging,` ;Sally Evans (584 - 0769)_; Memorial Hall ;Or leave a message with; ;the Council on Aging ; +-- ----------------- - - - - -+ AGENDA 1. Designation of secretary & Notice of excused absences. 2- Approval. of minutes of previous meeting. 3. Announcements. Hand out material (if any). Status of: National Register work_ (SE) High School renovations_ (TM) Plaques - Creation (SE) Sculpture survey. (SW) Booklets for the public (SE) Mass_ Archaeology-week (SE) 4. Add, below, any "last minute" agenda items- 5 - NHC Jea dership & membership. 6. Memorial Hall - Paint & Woodwork (SE); 7. Calvin.Coolidge Bridge_ 8. 1998 Awards. 9. Preservation restrictions - Discuss (MO) 10. Survey of Northampton - Other ways to accomplish? 1.1. Last minute agenda items: 1.2. Next meeting: Monday, February 2, 1998, 5:30 p.m. Northampton. Historical_ Commission minutes; January 5,1998; 5:30 PM - 7:30 @Council on Aging. Present: Joan Cenedella, Priscilla Dolloff, Sally Evans, Tris Metcalfe, Michael Owens, Susan Well, Norman Winston Absent: Louise Bloomberg, R. Luenenberger 1. Susan Well graciously accepted the .chairperson position after being voted into office to be our new leader into the unknown. (She stated that the Plaques issue will only be brought up once, that will be to do them now!). 2. Two new members are needed to reach our required total of seven. 3. Minutes were approved as written by Ruth Leuenberger. 4. Smith College will build a garage at 50 West St, Susan will speak to Bill Brandt @ Smith College on potential NHC concerns. 5. The Northampton Community Music Center will be applying for a grant in round 5 and seeks NHC support for designation to the register as required by the grants. 6. The issue of, all city buildings getting exterior renovations, should be reviewed by NHC, was brought up again and Michael Owens will look into the document proposed by Penny Kim. 7. An historic preservation internship program exists with New England Natl. Trst. for Hist. Presv. 8. The NHS renovation drawings have been reviewed by us and a letter from the architect confirmed the reuse and preservation of the cast stone Bas relief on the interior, Tris will write a letter for Susan. 9. Susan met Bob Cahiilane and discussed the documentation of monuments under "outdoor sculpture survey" issue before us. A ' f 4:... 1. {.�.« n.. "' "j . 1t.1� ?.., i' r 1 t s.h . v. ti'i.vr. - na ion yr odru es on r es or ing h on ^,s' vvu: a avai�cw.v .O ,e a� t p offic 11. Susan will review the community preservation needs survey for return to Michael. 12. Sara Chase's connection to Brett on the Memorial Hall paint research will be checked by Sally. 13. The 5th round of the Mass Preservation Projects Fund will be applied to for Memorial Hall. 14. Preservation restrictions should be included on some Northampton buildings if they are to protected. 15. Sally will contact Denney.Nolan & Dick Unsworth on new plaque info. 1 Next meeting will be 4=c 2nd, Minutes respectfully submitted by T.M. NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION CITY HALL 210 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060 CITY HALL Official Meeting Notice NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION Date: Monday, February 2, 1998 If unable to attend, call Susan Well, Time: 5:30 p.m. 586 -2370 PLACE: CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS City Hall Annex Agenda 1. Designation of Secretary, Attendance, Approval of Minutes 2. Add "last minute" agenda items 3. Review of Purposes, Powers and Duties, Records and Annual Reports provisions of Article XX of City Ordinances. (See Attached) 4. Goals/Projects with time lines for 1998 5. Preservation Awards 1998 6. Memorial Hall -Paint Color Analysis 7. Sculpture/Monument Survey 8. Plaques for Historic Buildings 9. Calvin Coolidge Bridge 10. Liaison with other City Departments City Council -tax assessment policy NHC role in changes to city -owned buildings Preservation Restrictions 11. Other business- national register work (Laurel Park), Smith College parking garage, High School renovations, Booklets for public, Mass Archaeology week 12. Next Meeting: March 2, 1998, 5:30 p.m., Council on Aging NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 2, 1998 - 5:30 p.m. Present: Susan Well, Chair, Louise Bloomberg, Sally Evans, Tristam Metcalfe, Norman Winston; Guest, Michael Owens Absent : Gary Cadette, Priscilla Dolloff, Reuthe Leuenberger 1. Minutes. The minutes of the meeting of January 5, 1998 were approved. 2. Awards. At our March meeting, all nominations must be in. At our April meeting final choices will be made. Michael Owens mentioned that a forthcoming computerized system that the City will have may help track renovation work being done on buildings here. Rodney Kunath, a former Commission member has said that he will help in the taking of pictures of award winning buildings. 3. Memorial Hall. Sarah Chase, who has been hired by the City to investigate paint layers in the lobby (hall) of Memorial Hall, was not able to be here last Friday. We are to be informed when a revised date has been agreed upon. 4. Sculpture Survey. Louise Bloomberg and Susan Well will be getting together this month to work on this project. ^-' 5. Plaques. Susan Well talked with Bill Brandt of the Smith College Physical Plant, and, through him, met with the College's sign people. It appears that they will probably be able to help with the production of our signs for the City's historic buildings (perhaps in several batches, if not all at once). They lent her a number of samples which we examined, as well as looking at their paint chart. Tris Metcalfe will look for the computer disc which has our plaque data, and at our March meeting we will look at printouts of the plaque information, and decide on type of metal, colors, etc. 6. Goal-settings This will be taken-up at a future meeting. 7. Next meetings Monday, March 2, 1998 in the Council on Aging meeting room. Respectfully submitted S,4 !�s Sally Evans, Acting Secretary � .' CITY HALL NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION CITY HALL 210 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060 Official Meeting Notice NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION Date: Monday, March 2, 1998 If unable to attend, call Susan Well, Time: 5:30 p.m. 586 -2370 PLACE: COUNCIL ON AGING Memorial Hall Agenda 1. Designation of Secretary, Attendance, Approval of Minutes 2. Add "last minute" agenda items 3. Brett Jacobus, Central Services 4. Review of Purposes,. Powers and Duties, Records and Annual Reports provisions of Article XX of City Ordinances. (See Attached) 5. Goals/Projects with time lines for 1998 6. Preservation Awards 1998 7. Memorial Hall-Paint Color Analysis 8. Sculpture/Monument Survey 9. Plaques for Historic Buildings 10. Calvin Coolidge Bridge 11. Liaison with other City Departments City Council -tax assessment policy NHC role in changes to city -owned buildings Preservation Restrictions 12. Wayne Feiden, Main Street Historic District 13. Other business- national register work (Laurel Park), Smith College parking garage, High School renovations, Booklets for public, 134 South Street 12, Next Meeting: April 6, 1998, 5:30 p.m., Council on Aging I - NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION MINUTES March 2, 1995 - 5:30 p.m. Present: Members: Susan Well, Chair, Louise Bloomberg, Sally Evans, Tris Metcalfe, Reuthe Leuenberger Visitors: Joan Cenedella, Priscilla Doloff, Wayne Feiden, Brett Jacobus, Michael Owens, Norm Winston 1. Minutes. The minutes of the meeting of February 2, 1995 were approved 2. Memorial Hall Lobby Project. Brett Jacobus reported that Sarah Chase did a thorough analysis of the paint in the lobby of Memorial Hall. He indicated that he is pleased with her work, and he wants to bring closure to this project. Brett will review the list of 16 personnel suggested for the Memorial Hall lobby project committee and then give the list to the Mayor. He indicated that he will make sure that Tris Metcalfe is appointed to this committee. He stated that a feasibility study for an elevator to the third floor is completed. He reported that May 1st is the deadline for the next matching grant round. 3. NHC Goals. Susan Well addressed her concern for outlining and prioritizing the Commission's goals. Mentioned were a listing of historic buildings, determining the repository of inventories, completing and installing plaques on historic buildings and nominating buildings for NHC awards. These issues will be revisited at a later meeting. 4. Main Street Historic District. Wayne Feiden reported that the support grant he submitted relating to key historic and architectural monuments downtown made the first cut, but he was asked to reduce his request from $10,000 to $5,000. Wayne asked that the NHC submit a letter of support for this pared clown version of the grant. Money for the in kind match would cover mapping of all Form Bs as well as some scanning of inventories. Wayne indicated that volunteer labor for scanning would be helpful. 5. 1995 Preservation Awards. Several nominations were suggested for awards. 6. VCDC Plan for 134 South Street. Sally Evans submitted a draft of a letter concerning a new building which the Valley Community Development Commission plans to erect behind #134 South Street. In it she requested that NHC encourage CDC to create a structure which will fit in well with the existing houses on South Street. Michael Owens indicated that a review of the CDC design will be made by either his office or the Massachusetts Historic Commission, depending on the funding source, and that there is little need for concern about this issue. The Commission agreed that a thoughtful letter signed by Susan to the CDC would not be out of order. 7. Miss Flo's Diner. We must revisit this issue at another date. 5. Smith College Parking Garage. The garage will be located on West Street. 9. Music Center. Tris presented his architectural drawings of the Music Center. He is applying for preservation funding for this project. He requested that the NHC write a letter of support for this renovation to the Massachusetts Historic Commission. 10. Next Meeting: Monday, April 6th at the Council on Aging. Minutes compiled by Louise .Bloomberg, Acting Secretary CITY HALL NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION CITY HALL 210 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060 Official Meeting Notice n NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION Date: Monday, April 6, 1998 If unable to attend, call Susan Well, Time: 5:30 p.m. 586 -2370 PLACE: COUNCIL ON AGING Memorial Hall Agenda 5:30 pm Designation of Secretary, Attendance, Approval of Minutes 5:32 pm Add "last minute" agenda items 5:35 pm Presentation of Plans and Discussion with John Dunne, Valley CDC RE: 134 South Street 5:45 pm 1998 Preservation Awards Decide on Winners Determine date, time, place and responsibilities for ceremony 6:15 pm Plaques/Markers Project Update 6:45 pm New Members for Commission 6:55 pm Schedule for discussing 3 items for City Council -June NHC meeting -what order? 7:00 pm Update on new and ongoing projects Fire Station Bell & saving historic material from old station -Susan Well Appointments to Committees Update Memorial Hall Color Analysis Results - Center for the Arts Charette -Reuth Community Music Center Application to Preservation Fund and National Register -Tris Metcalfe Zoning Changes -Susan Well, Sally Evans Replacement of Chesterfield Road Bridge -Well 350' Anniversary of City of Northampton -Well Adjourn to later than 7:25 pm Announcement- New Massachusetts Historical Commission, Director of Local Government Programs is Christopher Skelly - sent a survey - who has internet access? ^� Northampton Historical Commission Minutes April 6, 1998 Members Present: Susan Well, Louise Bloomberg, Sally Evans, Norman Winston. Guests Present: John Dunne, Joanne Cambell and Michael Lehman of Valley C.D.C. and Michael Owens, Office of Planning and Development. The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved. 5:35 p.m. Presentation by John Dunne of Valley CDC regarding plans for 134 South Street, Northampton. CDC plans to create 5 affordable housing units at 134 South Street. Two newly constructed units at the rear of the property i.e. a duplex, and three units within the existing structure at the front. CDC has contracted with Greg Farmer, a historic preservation consultant to provide technical assistance with the project. John Dunne stated that the CDC feels strongly about historic preservation and will be sensitive to this issue. At 5:45 p.m. Tris Metcalf arrived at the meeting and took the remaining minutes. Respectfully submitted, Michael Owens Northampton Historical Commission minutes; April 6,1998; 5:30 PM - 7:30 @Council on Aging. Present: L. Bloomberg, S. Evans, R. Leunenberger, T. Metcalfe, S. Well, Absent: 1. John Dunne, Valley CDC, made a presentation on plans for 134 South St. and a new 2 family building behind it. The Commission hopes the new house will fit in and that preservation of 134 will include the chimney mass and fireplaces. NHC member Tris Metcalfe had designed a plan having been asked by John that discovered a lower cost than GC design, with much less historic fabric demolition, saved the fireplaces and most interior walls stairs and trim etc. It did this by using attics as 3 rd bedrooms and symmetrically dividing the house down to the basement. 2. Awards were discussed and again many nice projects that still are not done waiting next year. The awards will be Tuesday May 12 th . 3. Plaques are moving nicely, color was thought to be changed to a more neutral value compatible with more building materials. A clear coating should be applied if such thin vinyl is pasted on, and or placed were no friction will damage it. Louise will contact Brett. 4. Northampton Community Music Center is approved and a letter will be sent to MHC. 5. The bell from the firehouse needs a good restoration method to be researched, as those responsible are unsure. 6. The documents on the 3 rd floor of the firehouse need a home. 7. Idea to send all new home owners a letter from the NHC for offering help. 8. Memorial Hall color analysis is done, a study for an elevator to replace the existing lift has not yet been seen by the NHC. Minutes respectfully submitted by T.M. NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION CITY HALL 210 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060 official Meeting Notice CITY HALL NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION Date: Monday, May 4, 1998 If unable to attend, call Susan Well, Time: 5:30 p.m. 586 -2370 PLACE: COUNCIL ON AGING Memorial Hall Agenda r pm Designation of Secretary, Attendance, Approval of Minutes 5:32 pm Add "last minute" agenda items 5:35 pm Reminder about regional meeting of Historical Commissions, Southampton Saturday, May 9 "' 5:40 pm 1998 Preservation Awards -May 12 "' Contact with Winners Details of ceremony, programs 6:10 pm Plaques/Markers Project Update 6:30 pm New Members for Commission 6:45 pm Schedule for discussing items for City Council -June NHC meeting -what order? Strengthening Ordinance Demolition Delay Preservation Restrictions Historic Presevation Property Tax Assessment 7:00 pm Update on new and ongoing projects 134 South Street Fire Station Bell & saving historic material from old station -Susan Well Appointments to Committees Update Memorial Hall Color Analysis Results - Community Music Center Application to Preservation Fund and National Register -Tris Metcalfe Hearing about Chesterfield Road Bridge -Well 350' Anniversary of City of Northampton -Well Letters and correspondence Adjourn to later than 7 pm NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION MINUTES MAY 4, 1998 Present: Members: Susan Well, Chair, Louise Bloomberg, Sally ( 1 Evans, Tristam Metcalfe. Visitors: Joan Cenedella, Priscilla Dolloff, Norman Winston -. 1. Minutes. The minutes of the meeting of April 6, 1998 were approved. 2. Additions to the agenda. a. The City has received a grant for $5,000 for GIS mapping. The City Council will vote on acceptance of this grant this coming Thursday. b. The Chair asked members to indicate their E -Mail addresses and Fax numbers, if any. c. S. Evans asked that the consideration at a future meeting be given to a discussion and possible revision of our Awards criteria, and possible addition of wording concerning time - frames for projects. 3. Awards. The ceremony will take place on Tuesday, May 12 at 4:15 in the City Council Chambers. Certificates have been lettered and frames purchased. Rodney Kunath will take pictures of all the properties. Award winners are being called. Food will be provided by the City., S. Well will see to publicity. S. Evans will supply easels, bulletin boards, tacks, napkins, and ice. S. Weld suggested that in some future year, awards might be considered for organizations that have supported local history. 4. Plaques /Markers. Sixteen of them will be made by Smith College at no charge to the City. Questions raised as to whether they will be coated and desirable height of mounting. Central Services will take down the existing signs on City Hall and memorial Hall and put up the new ones. Will there be a ceremony & "photo op" with the Mayor in front of City Hall? 5. New Commission Members. Discussion of how best to discover new members. It was suggested that former members be asked for suggestions of names of people who are interested in local history and preservation. S. Evans will compile a list of former members. (Said former members will also be asked if they would consider rejoining.) Elise Feeley of Forbes Library (and an honorary member of the Commission will also be asked for suggestions. S. Connecticut River. Additional letters from individuals in support of the Heritage certification would be helpful. 7. Legislative Matters. We would like to invite Wayne Feiden and /or Michael Owens to our June meeting to discuss: Strengthening the Historical Commission section of the City Ordinance Demolition Delay ordinance Preservation restrictions Property tax assessment 8. Community Music Center. Their MHC grant application will go in in November 1998 for the next round of grants. 9. 134 South Street. CDC has pulled out. Who will now develop this land? We.should write to Goll and Bowles stating our concerns and forwarding T. Metcalfe's preservation plans. 10. 350th Anniversary of the City of Northampton. S. Well has spoken to Mayor Ford about this 2004 anniversary. The Commission may be placed in charge of a celebration. 11. Old Fire Station. The fire Station bell has not yet been taken down. S. Well has been in touch with several experts who have advice as to the treatment of historic metal objects. The bell is ultimately to go into the new fire station. 12. Appointments to City Committees_ a. Elm Street Historic District Commission: Two names were submitted to the Mayor as nominations for appointment: Sally Evans and Marisa Labozzetta. b. Downtown Historical District Study Committee: One name was submitted to the Mayor: Susan Well. c. Memorial Hall Committee: S. Well announced that the Commission will not be represented on this Committee. 13. Memorial Hall. Sarah Chase has forwarded her color analysis to Brett Jacobus of Central Services., 14. Chesterfield Road Bridge. S. Well attended a site hearing. She expressed her feeling that the proposed replacement bridge be made of concrete and not of metal. The City's DPW favors a metal bridge which would allow plowed snow to be pushed through its openings rather than a bridge with solid concrete sides. S. Well explained that she had discovered that a third possibility exists: a concrete bridge with openings in the sides. She will try to talk or write to the DPW to express our position in favor of this third possibility. 15. Historic Massachusetts Inc.'s 10 Most endangered list. We should keep alert to dangers to our buildings so that we will be in a position to send in nominations to this annual list should any situation here warrant such action. 16. Next meeting: Monday, June 1, 1998 in the Council on Aging meeting room. Respectfully submitted Sa y Evans, Acting Secretary NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION CITY HALL 210 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060 CITY HALL Official Meeting Notice NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION Date: Monday, June 1, 1998 If unable to attend, call Susan Well, Time: 5:30 p.m. 586 -2370 PLACE: COUNCIL ON AGING Memorial Hall Agenda 5:30 pm Designation of Secretary, Attendance, Approval of Minutes 5:32 pm Add "last minute" agenda items 5:35 pm Report of May 9' Regional Historical Commissions Meeting, Southampton �\ DEM grants to restore cemeteries 5:40 pm Plaques/Markers Project Update 5:50 pm 1998 Preservation Awards -Recap Recommendations for 1999 6:15 pm Schedule for discussing items for City Council Strengthening Ordinance Demolition Delay Preservation Restrictions Historic Preservation Property Tax Assessment 6:45 pm New Members for Commission 7:00 pm Update on new and ongoing projects Silk Industry Project 134 South Street - Michael Owens Fire Station Bell & saving historic material from old station -Susan Well Appointments to Committees Update Memorial Hall Color Analysis Results - Update on Chesterfield Road Bridge -Well r � 350' Anniversary of City of Northampton -Well Letters and correspondence Next meeting: July 6, 1998 Adjourn to later than 7:25 pm NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL. COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES JUNE 1, 1998 Present: Susan Well, Chair, Louise Bloomberg, Sally Evans, Norman Winston. Visitors: Joan Cenedella, Michael Owens, Wayne Feiden. 5:30PM - Meeting Called to Order. Michael Owens designated to take meeting minutes. Joan Cenedella informed the Commission that she would like to seek full membership. Susan requested she ben sent a nomination form ASAP. 5:35PM - Susan reported that Priscilla, Tris and Ruth will not be present. Last meeting minutes taken by Sally reviewed and approved. In regards to 134 South Street: Michael Owens gave brief update on the Valley CDC's decision not to proceed with the project, Susan reported she would try to get some general information from Tris regarding the current private sector proponent plan for 134 South Street. 5:40PM - Members and visitors present reviewed the draft letter to new home owners of historic properties in Northampton. Several minor changes were proposed. These changes will be made, the letter placed on a disk, and given to Aleta at OPD. 5:47PM - Members agreed to update the mailing list. 5:50PM - Susan provided an update on a regional meeting of Historical Commissions and what projects other local Commissions are working on. Susan also spoke to the issue of DEM grants for preservation of historic landscapes and talked about plan for Bridge Street cemetery. Sally spoke to other possible funding sources to fix up the Bridge Street cemetery. 6:0 OPM - Louise gave an update on plaques and markers. Smith College is producing fifteen (15) more sings on an ad hoc basis. Members agreed to approach Bret regarding the plaque for City Hall and cleaning the area where it will be installed. 6:1 OPM - Members discussed the preservation awards and what was learned for next year. Discussion focused on press relations and coverage including both print and radio. Sally requested that this topic be discussed in more detail at the next meeting. 6:20PM - Susan gave an update on Commission plans to strengthen the HS ordinance i.e. to have specific language regarding review and comment when work is planned to historic City buildings. Sally also provided a update and brief history on the effort to strengthen the ordinance. Wayne provided some guidance regarding this issue from OPD's perspective. Wayne then gave an overview of preservation restrictions as tools for historic preservation and ('� also touched upon the issue of property tax assessments for renovation work within historic residential structures. Sally agreed to go to City Hall and research a list of City owned historic structures. Wayne informed the Commission of the first meeting of the Downtown Historic District Study Committee (Wednesday) and asked for any ideas the Commission may have regarding consultants to perform character defining features and boundary recommendations. The Commission discussed the celebration of the City's 350' birthday and the potential involvement of the Commission. Further discussion will take place on this topic in the near future: 7:25PM - Meeting adjourned. J. NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION NotiMTY HALL 210 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060 0 NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION CITY HALL Date: Monday, July 6, 1998 If unable to attend, call Susan Well, Time: 5:30 p.m. 586 -2370 PLACE: COUNCIL ON AGING Memorial Hall Agenda Set new meeting time 5:30 pm Designation of Secretary, Attendance, Approval of Minutes 5:32 pm Add "last minute" agenda items 5:35 pm Plaques/Markers Project Update 5:45 pm Prioritizing, adding, deleting from list of items to present to City Council Strengthening Ordinance Demolition Delay Preservation Restrictions Historic Preservation Property Tax Assessment 6 :15 pm 1998 Preservation Awards -Recap Recommendations for 1999 6:30 pm New Members for Commission 6:45 pm Update on new and ongoing projects Main Street Historic District Study Commission 134 South Street, Pleasant and Strong Street Fire Station Bell Memorial Hall Update on Chesterfield Road Bridge Cemeteries Next meeting: August 3, 1998 Adjourn 7:00 pm DATES Of Note: July 30 & 31, 1998 - Calvin Coolidge: Examining the Evidence, JFK Library Friday, Sept. 25, 1998 - MHC Statewide Preservation Conference, Bunker Hill Community College, Boston FA Northampton Historical Commission Minutes July 6, 1998 Present: Susan Well, Louise Bloomberg, Tris Metcalfe, Norman Winston, Reuthe Leuenberger. Joan C. has indicated she would like to join the Commission. Need to recruit new members and Susan has several names. Louise suggested Susan give names to different members to contact a person and invite them to the next meeting. Discussed changing meeting time and day. Susan will explore possibilities with the Council on Aging and Memorial Hall and call members with an alternate time. Tentative date set on Monday the 17' at 7:00 p.m. Plaques are all on computer. All the plaques should be ready by the end of the summer. Respectfully submitted, Reuthe Leuenberger j NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION CITY HALL 210 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060 CITY HALL William Fenno Pratt Architect, 1849 Official Meeting Notice Date: Monday, August 24, 1998 Time: 7:00 p.m. PLACE: COUNCIL, ON AGING Memorial Hall Agenda 7:00 pm Designation of Secretary, Attendance, Approval of Minutes 7:05 pm Add "last minute" agenda items 7:10 pm 1998 Preservation Awards -Recap Recommendations for 1999 -�. 7:45 pm Plaques/Markers Project Update , —J 7:50 pm Prioritizing, adding, deleting from list of items to present to City Council Strengthening Ordinance Demolition Delay Preservation Restrictions Historic Preservation Property Tax Assessment 8:15 pm New Members for Commission 8:30 pm Update on new and ongoing projects Main Street Historic District Study Commission 134 South Street, Pleasant and Strong Street Fire Station Bell and other historic items Memorial Hall Update on Chesterfield Road Bridge Cemeteries Next meeting: September28, 1998 Adjourn 9:00 pm 1 DATES Of Note: Friday, Sept. 25, 1998 - MHC Statewide Preservation Conference, Boston Bunker Hill Community College CITY HALL William Fenno Pratt Architect, 1849 NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION CITY HALL 210 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060 Official Meeting Notice And Agenda Date: Monday, September 28, 1998 Time: 7:00 p.m. PLACE: COUNCIL ON AGING Memorial Hall 7:00 pm Designation of Secretary, Attendance, Approval of Minutes 7:05 pm Add "last minute" agenda items 7:10 pm Introduce Peg Keller, newly appointed staff person for this Commission 7:15 pm Letters to new property owners - Updating Forbes and Historic Northampton copies of survey 7:20 pm 1998 Preservation Awards -Recap Recommendations for 1999 7:45 pm Plaques/Markers Project Update 7:50 pm Prioritizing, adding, deleting from list of items to present to City Council Strengthening Ordinance Demolition Delay Preservation Restrictions Historic Preservation Property Tax Assessment 8:15 pm New Members for Commission 8:30 pm Update on new and ongoing Concerns Main Street Historic District Study Commission 134 South Street, Pleasant and Strong Street Fire Station Bell and other historic items Memorial Hall Update on Chesterfield Road Bridge Monuments /Sculpture survey Adjourn 9:00 pm Next meeting: October 26, 1998 NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION Minutes September 28, 1998 Members Present: Susan Well, Louise Bloomberg, Tris Metcalfe. Interested members present, Norman Winston, Jan Stenson, Janie Vanpee. Also present, Peg Keller, staff. Call to order/ Chair Susan Well, called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. She reviewed the items on the agenda with some additions. She then introduced Peg Keller, new staff person to the Commission, a staff member of the Planning Department for four years. Project Discussion/ 1. Letter to New Property Owners Members agreed to send a pro - active letter to purchasers of historic properties. This will be sent on a regular basis to alert new owners that they have purchased an historically significant property. It will inform them that a Commission exists and if they have any questions or seek information about the property or appropriate rehabilitation techniques; that the Commission can serve as a resource. Staff or Ms. Well will need to match the properties purchased with the inventory to identify impacted sites. The Planning Office can send out the letters. Further details regarding the logistics will be sorted out. 2. Disseminating Updated Inventory Data It is the Commission's desire that updated copies of the historic properties inventory be out in the community. The copy currently at the Forbes Library needs to be updated. This could be the task of an intern. Further work needs to be done on the inventory itself. Members have gone out in the past to update the information, Louise noted that the pictures she has taken were on a digital camera. Peg thought that Nancy Bateman, Department Intern had been working on the update. She will inquire as to her progress. 3. Conference Update Ms. Well circulated fliers about an upcoming gathering of area Commissions to be held in Conway. 2 4. Awards Update Members discussed the process of soliciting nominations for awards which are given in May to coincide with National Preservation week. Ms. Well circulated the list of categories. Tris noted that the goal had been to have the categories publicized in order to generate interest and stimulate public dialogue. Members suggested that a poster be made up and be displayed throughout high traffic areas, i.e. Forbes,Library, Building Inspector's Office, City Hall. It was also suggested that nominated property owners be notified prior to the publication of the award in order to better understand the process they went through. Ms. Well agreed to create the poster. The charge of the Commission was described for new potential members. 5. Coolidge Bridge Ms. Well summarized that the Commission had been asked to render an opinion about the style of lighting fixture that should be installed on the newly rebuilt Coolidge Bridge. She has been in conversation with her counter -part from the Hadley Historic Commission. Members viewed the samples provided. Members expressed a desire to know more about the overall design scheme, particularly that of the railing. All felt strongly that the samples did not represent the appropriate period and did not approximate the original fixture at all. Ms. Well relayed that the original bridge plans have been located, there appears to have been 8 fixtures per side and those plans will be made available to us. Anne Booth is the contact from the Mass. Highway Department. Ms. Well will send a letter expressing those concerns to the State agency. 6. Plaques Ms. Bloomberg reported that she has 7 additional plaques. Smith College offered to create them, replacing the wood material with metal. The lettering is black on white and the first one has been installed on City Hall. 7. Capital Improvements/ City projects Ms. Well reported on a meeting she attended at which department heads described their needs for expenditures on physical infrastructure. Mary Kasper had described the project planned for the Academy of the Arts, Wayne Feiden talked about upgrading a �' scanner, Brett Jacobus spoke about the Memorial Hall elevator and 3 the lobby. Members expressed the desire to see the report that had been conducted on the lobby. Also mentioned was a window replacement project at the Jackson Street school which members agreed should be monitored by the Commission. 8. Update on Historic District Study Committee The Committee has not met since August. There is a meeting scheduled for October 21st, after which a report can be made. 9. Fire station Ms. Well reported that the bell is down from the old Fire Station and she is proceeding with getting estimates for it to be cleaned and restored. Staff from the Williamstown Conservation Center, based at the Clark Art Institute is coming tomorrow. Ms. Stenson offered to check on other people that may have expertise in this area. 10. Northampton State Hospital The issue of building demolition was raised. Members agreed that this situation would need to be monitored as plans progressed. Ms. Well noted that certain members could be assigned to track -� the progress of the project. 11. Funds from the Department of Environmental Protection Ms. Well mentioned that there are funds from DEP to work on cemetery restoration activities. She spoke with our DPW and Mr. Brindis said the Bridge Street cemetery is in good shape but wondered if the funds could be used to restore the fountain in Florence. This may be a project for the future. 12. New Members The interested parties in attendance agreed to become official members. Peg will send forms for them to return to the Mayor's office so official appointments can be made. 13. Adjourn There being no additional business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Peg Keller NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION i Minutes October 13, 1998 Special Meeting Members Present: Chair Susan Well, Louise Bloomberg, Norman Winston (Associate). Also present, Peg Keller, staff; Karen Leveille, Hampden Hampshire Housing Partnership. Agenda/ The Commission assembled to review the proposed plans for a project requesting funds from the Massachusetts Preservation Projects Fund. The deadline for the application was prior to the next regularly scheduled meeting time. Project Karen Leveille from HAP described the plans to purchase and rehabilitate the Single Room Occupancy building located at 96 Pleasant Street. The development package will include five different funding sources. One of those sources is the Mass. Preservation Projects fund. Karen needs a sign off from the Historic Commission and hopefully a letter of support for this funding source. She is requesting $100,000 to cover the costs of restoring the facade and reconfiguring the entry way and first floor. Karen gave a history of her organization, which develops and manages affordable housing primarily in Springfield and Holyoke. She has been negotiating with the owners of 96 Pleasant Street and very recently has been able to agree on a purchase price. HAP hired Greg Farmer, a preservation consultant to guide them on the plans for the facade restoration. Karen described the elevations that depicted the current facade and the one proposed. She distributed a fact sheet on the history of the building, originally known as "The Lorraine ". Built in 1910, it was home to 4 luxury apartments on the upper floors and commercial uses on the first. It is currently 32 SRO units which contribute to the City's inventory of affordable housing. The current proposal is to reduce the total number of units to 29, return the front of the first floor to commercial usage and install kitchenettes and bathrooms in each room. With regard to the facade, the original window openings will be ( -� restored, a line of transom windows installed across the top of the first floor, woodwork restored, the entryway reconfigured, the siding removed. 0 2 It was noted that the architect was William Fenno Pratt's son. Ms. Well summarized that the project was carefully researched and designed and was worthy of the Commission's support. Members discussed how the letter of support should be crafted and concluded the meeting by lending unanimous support to the project and application to MHC. Adjourn The meeting, which convened at 4:30 p.m., concluded at 5:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Peg Keller WON Z500ER �3. =8 U3 CO Cc ui uj Z zuj - z LU 0 C)5z o -- z! C) LU UJ 2 LL Z) L- CD 0) z 0) C) 0) cr X < to U) rT LU < o n LL < 0 co z w cr) < :E. ,- M: > - I- . rr C� 0 CL z 0 = LLJ LU LLJ 0 < W C) LL o Uj LLJ z r1 C/) LU C') < J 0 CD 0-- 0) LL Z I Lu < 0 C) F-s La- ui < < C) z 0 EXISTING PARTIAL FLOOR PLMIIJ AND FRONT FACADE ELEVATION SCALE V4' • V-(r EXISTING FRONT ELEVATION EXISTING PARTIAL FLOOR PLAN 'F 0 0 o 0 0 00 0 0 l a e0 0 o O ' 0 0 000 0 s u Bob oQ� g o lG 0 (b o Q° 0 0- oo d0 v n 0 °_Qoz 0 00 0 NEW RESIDENCE N7fEn- MY.' SDE[FDU f.WEt r0[ALL tEO10Ex141.5fKF0. tEfT[ EK ]IDEASNEWEDKKNME [EWM[ED fO[OfKE YKE} S I , 1 L W J famxa5 . � eo[f5 y � z :.. p c rt o l NI L OFFICE / STORE t 5Er � ENTRY TO E{E!. OFFICE / STORE 2 n F— fewrxr[ve•fMDOOtIx NEW WDOD r[KIf5t0 MATCH° T RESIDENCES x e•a•rrc oon ix; WW 6W W000I[AUFSiONA1CN w 10[Ef[OMYNRS. i Y CetO O O LL FENS rt00t INTNie KfA� / iaw rv+nx0 enw r Ant noD[INiNie KfA� �rilw f[ANiuDeEwx NEW MCFROMWORK E fFISiING11fItflM1DY %Y N.iF[fp�t1 II K05NN1 c I 4 I • 'Z�' TOtfi OM. SLM1INLN[W WOOD SYD[FiROMK SMO [ lDCUiK OWe. AIro Q < { y "�: ?}Y ?: .'��� OED IGHf i[NbW Nif0.ttf e0M 5rof5. ItfCE55ED f/NFl /� < NEW RESIOENC INFERCON: FW MFKONf Q[KKALL [FSIOfNI1KefKF0. tote fxlmxo 0[IwxK TlERODC MEM[T [ECf53. 60N fi%IS1fGC01✓<E[FEIFCYROSEW Z O NEW PARTIAL FLOOR PLAN NEW PARTIAL FLOOR PLAN AND FRONT FACADE ELEVATION SCALE 1/4' . V -o' [OfY�[tlNiND11R A -2 i ' NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION a. CITY HALL 210 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060 CITY HALL Official Meeting Notice And Agenda t. Date: Monday, October 26, 1998 Time: 7:00 p.m. PLACE: COUNCIL ON AGING Memorial Hall 7:00 pm Designation of Secretary, Attendance, Approval of Minutes 7:05 pm Add "last minute" agenda items 7:10 pm The Coolidge Bridge - Progress on lights and railing 7:25 pm Memorial Hall 7:40 pm Letters to new property owners- Updating Forbes and Historic Northampton copies of survey n 7:45 pm 1998 Preservation Awards - Preliminary list of Winners - Posters, Publicity '- 7:55 pm Capital Improvements Committee results 8 :00 pm Plaques/Markers Project Update 8:10 pm Prioritizing, adding, deleting from list of items to present to City Council Strengthening Ordinance Demolition Delay Preservation Restrictions Historic Preservation Property Tax Assessment 8:20 pm New Members for Commission 8:30 pm Update on new and ongoing Concerns Main Street Historic District Study Commission 134 South Street, Pleasant and Strong Street Fire Station Bell and other historic items Update on Chesterfield Road Bridge Monuments /Sculpture survey Adjourn 9:00 pm ..7 NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION Minutes October 26, 1998 Members Present: Susan Well, Chair, Louise Bloomberg, Tris Metcalfe. Appointments pending, Norman Winston, Janie Vanpee, Valerie Lavender. Potential member, Jan Stenson. Also present, Peg Keller, staff. AGENDA/ 1. Introductions All present introduced themselves. Ms. Lavender and Ms. Vanpee indicated they would like to become members. Ms. Well will check the number of vacancies, noting that Ms. Vanpee could be an associate member. 2. Approval of Minutes Members approved the minutes as submitted. 3. Plaques Mrs. Bloomberg reported that they have 8 out of the 15 plaques needed. Smith College is working on the rest. She will investigate whether the plaques can be pre - drilled and Tris will look for black screws. 4. 96 Pleasant Street Ms. Well reported on the special meeting that had taken place on October 13th. Karen Leveille of the Hampden Hampshire Housing Partnership presented a plan for facade restoration for the 32 unit SRO building located at 96 Pleasant Street. They will be applying to the Mass. Preservation Projects Fund for $100,000 to restore the facade and reconfigure the first floor. The members present deemed the plan worthy of support and agreed to send a letter in support of the application to Mass. Historic. 5. Coolidge Bridge Ms. Well updated members on the progress of the bridge design and the Commission's role. Ms. Booth from Mass. Highway said there will not be concrete railings, they will be metal. Ms. Well asked her to put that in writing, but has not received anything yet. Ms. Booth agreed to research other lighting styles. Ms. Well communicated our progress to the Chair of the Hadley Commission. 2 Ms. Well reported on this project at the meeting of area Commissioners held in Conway on October 7th and asked for their support. She will follow -up with a letter to Mass. Highway to emphasize our desire to see the bridge design elevations, to not have concrete railings installed and state that the sample light fixtures we were given to review were not appropriate to the period. She will draft the letter and circulate it for comments. 6. Capital Improvements Programming Ms. Well reported that on October 27th at 5:00 p.m. the CIP Committee will make recommendations to the Finance Committee of the City Council. She noted that no allocation was being put forward for the Memorial Hall elevator or lobby. The Jackson .Street windows are on hold until next year. The Mayor appointed a committee to study the lobby refurbishing (last February) but it will not be meeting until December. Tris submitted a report to the Commission detailing his review of the preliminary floor plans for the elevator project. He feels the proposed location is problematic as it would negatively impact the west side of the grand staircase. Discussion followed -,1 regarding the use of the third floor of City Hall and the City's space planning effort. 7. Awards Members began to generate a list of potentia•1 award winners. The locations mentioned were: the Calvin Theater, the First Churches, a house on Massasoit Street near Prospect, a building on Conz Street, a salmon colored house on Prospect Street and 210 Elm Street. Members felt it would be exciting to have the ceremony at the Calvin, if possible. Work on the nominations will continue. 8. Map of Downtown Historic District Ms. Well circulated a map showing possible boundaries for the downtown district. She said that a consultant has been hired to put together a design manual to guide renovations and new construction. An informational public hearing will be held November 30th. Discussion followed. Ms. Well asked members to review the handout on "Character defining Features" for discussion at the next meeting. This was the Study Commissions' project over the summer, no rules or regulations have been discussed yet. 9. Adjourn The meeting concluded at 8:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Peg Keller C� NORTHAMPTON HISTOR ICA COMMISSION CITY HALL 210 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060 CITY HALL OFFICIAL MEETING NOTICE Date: Monday, November 23, 1998 Time: 7:00 p.m. PLACE: COUNCIL ON AGING Memorial Hall 7:00 pm Attendance, Approval of Minutes, Set date of next meeting 7:05 pm Add "last minute" agenda items 7:07 pm Capital Improvements Committee results 7:10 pm The Coolidge Bridge - Progress on lights and railing •7:15 pm Memorial Hall 7:30 pm Main Street Historic District Study Commission -Prep for public hearing 7:40 pm Letters to new property owners -See Attached Draft 7:45 pm 1998 Preservation Awards - Preliminary list of Winners, see attached - Posters, Newsrelease_ 8:00 pm Plaques/Markers Project Update 8:10 pm Prioritizing, adding, deleting from list of items to present to City Council Strengthening Ordinance Demolition Delay Preservation Restrictions Historic Preservation Property Tax Assessment 8:20 pm New Members for Commission 8:30 pm Update on new and ongoing Concerns 134 South Street, Pleasant and Strong Street Fire Station Bell and other historic items Update on Chesterfield Road Bridge Monuments /Sculpture survey Updating Forbes and Historic Northampton copies of survey Adjourn 9:00 pm ^) Next meeting: To Be Determined _I rl C> NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION Minutes November 23, 1998 Members Present: Susan Well, Chair; Tris Metcalfe, Norman Winston. Appointments pending, Janie Vanpee, Valerie Lavender. Excused, Louise Bloomberg. Also present, Peg Keller, staff. AGENDA/ 1. Minutes The minutes from the October meeting were approved with no additions or corrections. 2. Massachusetts Historic Commission Planning Grant Wayne is applying for a planning grant to make additional progress on the surveying and inventorying of historic resources in the community (see attached) . Members reviewed the scope and agreed to write a letter of support. 3. Municipal Capital Plan Susan noted that the Union News was incorrect in stating that the Memorial Hall lobby and elevator had received priority in the ranking and would be moving forward. That is not the case. 4. Coolidge Bridge Susan remains in communication with Ann Booth of the Mass. Highway Department. Mass. Highway has agreed to try to replicate the original light fixtures. The current plan is to restore the existing railing. It was noted that the proposed light fixtures all have stems and bases which would not be required if the stems are coming out of the railing. The additional issue of cutting the middle section out of the pylons remains. Evidently, 4 feet are being removed from the middle sections, impacting the eagles that are depicted there. Tris suggested that they be moved out to the sides. Cantilevering them out may involve costs similar to that of carving out the middle of the pylons. It would still be helpful to see the front elevation from the roadway view. Susan read the letter she received from the Hadley Historical Commission expressing their dislike of the original design depicted in the souvenir booklet. They asked to be kept informed. Members felt that a joint meeting with the Mass. Highway personnel and the Hadley Commission would be timely. e 2 Susan will follow up on assembling the appropriate people. 5. Memorial Hall Susan communicated with Mr. Gillen who has redrawn plans for the elevator in a location that does not enter the lobby. Peg had mentioned to Mr. Gillen that the Commission was dismayed that the original drawing involved cutting away from the grand staircase, so he said he could come up with alternatives to have Brett Jacobus review uponShis return. He was told that neither Susan or Peg had any authority to approve his moving ahead on other designs and he said he understood that. He wanted to come up with a scheme that everyone could agree on prior to Brett's return. Susan noted that Mary Kasper has the lobby drawings that depict proposed paint colors. She or Peg will bring them to the next meeting. As the Memorial Hall Lobby Committee work proceeds, the Historical Commission may want to make a presentation to them about their concerns and goals. O 6. Downtown Study Committee Public Hearing Susan announced that it would be important for a member of the Historical Commission to provide testimony at the public hearing next `Monday regarding the need for a downtown historic district. Valerie agreed to put some thoughts together. 7. Letters to New Property Owners The draft letter was circulated to members. December 3rd was set as a time for Peg and Susan to get together to review the inventory work and the list of houses that were sold in November. There were 14 total, 6 could be ruled out as not historic. 8. Awards The list of potential nominees was reviewed. Ms. Well circulated the National Trust magazine which contained award winners at the national level. She suggested we think about nominating the Calvin for a national award. (337 Bridge Street, 329 Bridge, 213 Elm Street, yellow house on Massasoit, 118 Franklin ?) Peg offered to give the press release to Tony Patillo to see if he has suggestions for nominations. d -- 3 9. Reporting Format Ms. Well described the way the minutes for the Fire Station Committee were compiled. The items needing follow -up are tracked topically, so movement can be more closely tracked. Tris noted that this methodology is applied to track construction specifications to monitor warrantee issues, etc. Members felt it would be difficult to apply to our meetings. 10. Adjourn Due to the lateness of the hour, the meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m. Respectfully, Peg Keller CITY HALL N0RT_N_AIVII'TON HISTOR.ICAL CO1VIMISSION CITY HALL 210 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060 Official Meeting Notice And Agenda Date: Monday, December 14, 1998 Time: 7:00 p.m. PLACE: COUNCIL ON AGING Memorial Hall C � 7:00 pm Attendance, .Approval of Minutes 7:05 pm Add "last minute" agenda items 7:10 pm The Coolidge Bridge - Summary of Special Meeting with Hadley Commission 7:15 pm Memorial Hall 7:30 pm Main Street Historic District Study Commission - Summary of Public Hearing 7:40 pm Letters to new property owners 8:00 pm Plaques/Markers Project Update 8:20 pm New Members for Commission 8:30 pm Update on,Scanning -and Mapping Grant 8:35 pm Discussions with Kerry Buckley, Historic Northampton Adjourn 9:00 pm Next meeting: Monday, January 25, 1999 NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION CITY HALL 210 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060 CITY HALL SPECIAL MEETING NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION AND HADLEY HISTORICAL COMMISSION Tuesday, December 8, 1998 7:00 PM Hadley Town Hall Agenda - DESIGN AND HISTORIC ISSUES ABOUT THE COOLIDGE BRIDGE Any Northampton member wanting to carpool to the meeting -Call Susan Well at 5 86-23 70