Town of Carlisle
MASSACHUSETTS 01741
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HISTORICAL COMMISSION
Minutes
August 10, 2010
The meeting was called to order in the Clark Room at 7:30 pm.
Members present: Sylvia Sillers (Chair), Margaret Hilton, Geoffrey Freeman, Neal Emmer, and Alternate Member Jack O‘Connor. Member Nathan Brown was absent.
Others Present: Gretchen Caywood, Commission Secretary, Leslie Doig and her son Alex (Bedford Road), and Alex Sayde (Carlisle Mosquito).
Minutes
The Commission reviewed the draft Minutes from the June 29, 2010 meeting, and a few amendments were made. Ms. Hilton moved that the Commission approve the Minutes as amended, Mr. O’Connor seconded the motion, and it was approved 5-0.
New Business: Discussion re Boy Scout Troop Eagle Project
Alex Doig, a Boy Scout from Troop 135 in Carlisle, was present to discuss his proposed work on the replacement of the railing on part of the pathway between the Library and Church Street. He explained that the pathway gets much use, and the railing is important as many Village Court residents regularly use it to get to the Library. Mr. Doig showed photos of the current condition of the railing, which is quite dilapidated. Sections of the railing have collapsed and are on the ground. Mr. Doig explained that parts of the railing are still usable, and after clearing away debris of splintered wood and old nails, his plan is to leave the structurally intact posts in place and replace the railing with a new one that will resist splintering. Mr. Doig suggested using 8-foot sections of 2” x 4”
pressure treated handrail that fits into metal brackets, and added that since the existing posts are 8-feet apart, this should work well. He also planned to consult with the Building Commissioner about his plans for the railing replacement.
On discussion, the Commission pointed out to Mr. Doig that there may be ADA guidelines to consider concerning the railing, and that Building Commissioner Luther will be able to advise him on this. Members of the Commission offered Mr. Doig some specific suggestions for types of clip that could be used to attach the railing to the posts. Commissioners also suggested that it may be more appropriate to use 4” h x 4”w handrail dimension for more rigidity.
Regarding funding for the materials for this project, Mr. Doig explained that the Library Trustees may partially fund the work, with fundraising required for the remainder. He added that a local supplier has offered a discount on the needed materials.
The Commission suggested that Mr. Doig create a mockup of one segment of the railing to give a better idea of what the finished railing would look like, as this should assist the fundraising. The Commission found in favor of the proposed project and the overall railing design, noting that the repair will be close enough to the original design that a formal hearing with the Commission will not be necessary. They thanked Mr. Doig for coming before the Commission to discuss his plans.
Old Business: Memorial Bench Request
Regarding the request (to the BOS) by a former resident for placement of a concrete memorial bench in Town Center in memory of her parents, the Commission discussed their preference for the idea of a permanent book fund whereby books could be donated to the Gleason Library, and permanently marked in the inside cover with an “In Memory Of” marker. It was noted that Concord’s policy does not permit private donations of items such as benches to be placed on public land, with occasional exception. Ms. Hilton offered to speak with a Selectman or with the Town Administrator on this matter, as they had requested the Commission’s input on this inquiry.
Historic Resources Survey
Chair Sillers reminded the Commission that the Mass Historical Commission is in the process of placing all historic resource survey data from MA towns on its website. She asked Secretary Caywood to check as to the status of the Carlisle data on the site, and learn whether it would be permissible for us to link our Town website to the survey data that will be placed on the MHC site.
Discussion of School Building Project
Chair Sillers explained that the Planning Board has requested some preliminary input from Boards and Committees that are participating in the Site Plan Review (SPR) process for the Carlisle School building project. There will be a formal SPR process and hearings at which the public will have many opportunities to provide input, but since the review timetable will be very tight once the BOS formally open the public hearing, the recently amended SPR Bylaws allow for the PB to begin gathering information from other reviewing Town Boards and Committees once the PB has received the completed SPR application.
The Commission reviewed the site plans submitted on behalf of the School Building Committee on 7/30/10 and 8/2/10. They noted that the requested fencing around the temporary play area is not depicted on the plans, and there is no specification for the fencing or for the handling of the temporary play area. Chair Sillers recalled that
at its May 2010 meeting, the Commission and Mr. Storrs discussed the handling during the construction period of the temporary play area shown within the Historical District. It was agreed that a mesh type, i.e. transparent, dark fencing would be placed around the temporary play area approximately sixty feet from both Church St. and School St., that wood chips could be used to keep down growth within the play area, but that no cutting of trees or removal of stones embedded in the surface of the ground would be undertaken. The Commission had asked that this information be included in the formal specifications, along with a statement that the area will be returned to its original condition at the end of construction.
Regarding the six parking spaces on School Street near the corner of Church Street within the Historic District, the Commission will request that these spaces remain informal, and that no striping or other parking markers be added. The Commission felt that striping would not be appropriate to the character of the District. The Commission also will request that the boundaries of the construction work area within the Historic District be staked, and that the Commission be notified when this staking is in place for review.
Concerning the surface material to be used for the emergency access road to the site that is within the Historic District, the Commission will request that further definition (description and specifications) of the permeable bituminous concrete surface be provided at the time of the formal Site Plan Review hearing. The Commission will also request that complete identification of the proposed plantings within the Historic District be provided. The Commission will provide this input on the SPR application in writing to the PB.
At 8:50 pm, Mr. O’Connor moved and Mr. Freeman seconded the adjournment of the CHC meeting, and the motion was approved 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Gretchen Caywood
Secretary, Historical Commission
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