Town of Carlisle
MASSACHUSETTS 01741
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HISTORICAL COMMISSION
66 Westford Street
Carlisle, Massachusetts 01741
Tel. (978) 369-9702
Fax (978) 369-4521
MINUTES
February 23, 2010
The meeting was called to order in the Nickles Room at 7:35 pm.
Members present: Marc Lamere (Chair), Sylvia Sillers, Peggy Hilton, and Alternate Member Jack O'Connor. Members Geoffrey Freeman, Chip Dewing, and Alternate Member Duncan Grant were absent.
Other attendees: Gretchen Caywood (CHC Secretary), Francene Faulkner (Bedford Road), Ryan Chou (Acton, MA), and Janet Hentschel (Carlisle Mosquito) were also in attendance.
Minutes
The CHC reviewed the draft Minutes from the January 26, 2010 meeting, and a few amendments were suggested. Ms. Sillers moved and Mr. O'Connor seconded the approval of the Minutes as amended, and the motion was approved 4-0.
Old Business: Bog House CPA Request
The Commission had reviewed this application at their January 26, 2010 meeting, and moved in support of it. At this time, the Commission formally amended their motion in order to specifically indicate their support for the use of historic preservation funds. The prior motion was as follows (from the January 26, 2010 Minutes):
Mr. Dewing moved that the Historical Commission support the Conservation Commission application for the preservation of the Cranberry Bog House (750-752 Curve Street) as described in the project application draft reviewed this date (January 26, 2010). Alternate Commissioner O'Connor seconded the motion, and it was approved 5-0.
The motion was amended to include: "In providing this support, the Historical Commission finds that the Bog House is significant to the history of agriculture in the Town of Carlisle, in particular its association with the production of cranberries since 1905." Ms. Sillers moved to include this amendment to the motion, Ms. Hilton seconded, and the amendment was approved 4-0.
FY11 Budget
Chair Lamere will email the amended budget to the Town Administrator. It includes an increase to allow for the 2% COLA increase for the staff Secretary.
Old Business: Ferns Site Plan Review (Application #08-04)
The Commission had been contacted about the dumpsters still present at the site, and Lamere noted that the construction project is still not complete. The Commission reviewed the Certificate of Appropriateness they had issued for this application (Cert # 08-05 issued 11/5/08)., which officially expired in November 2009., Chair Lamere volunteered to obtain an update on the work from Ferns proprietor Larry Bearfield, to explain the 11/30/09 deadline for the completion of work, and to inquire about the dumpster and storage shed, and about camouflage of the very visible electrical conduits on the north side of the building.. The Commission agreed that if Bearfield provides a satisfactory explanation for the delay and the presence of the dumpsters, he does not need to come before the Commission for an extension.
The Commission discussed including a condition on the Certificate of Appropriateness for future construction projects that construction equipment and debris must be removed within 30 days of the completion of the construction.
Zoning Bylaw for Signs in the Historic District
Chair Lamere reported on information submitted to him by Town Counsel in response to several questions about unapproved signage in the Historic District. The response highlighted who the enforcement agent would be in different cases, what the enforcement options are (several). According to Counsel, the enforcement agent for issues within the Historic District is the Middlesex County Superior Court, upon petition by the BOS or the Commission. Enforcement options include use of the non-criminal disposition process and a small fine, filing a criminal complaint with the Concord District Court with daily fines, and filing a complaint in Middlesex County Superior Court seeking an injunction to remove the sign.
Chair Lamere offered to speak with owners of properties in the District where unapproved signs are displayed. He suggested speaking with the Town Administrator on whether an enforcement letter should come from the BOS or from the CHC, but doing this after the Commission has specific signage examples for investigation.
Committee Handbook and on-line course completion
Chair Lamere reminded the Commission that there is a mandatory online State ethics exam that must be taken by all Board and Committee members by Friday, April 2, 2010. There is a certificate of completion that must be printed out after taking the exam, and submitted to the Town Clerk.
New Business: Informal Discussion with a potential buyer of 8 Bedford Road property
Francene Faulkner was present as realtor representing Ryan Chou, the prospective buyer of the property. The discussion was concerning changes to the driveway and grounds that Chou is interested in making to support a business use, should he purchase the property. Faulkner explained that her client would like to create two parking spaces in front of the house (on the property). They would like the Commission's input on what materials should be used and how the spaces should be screened.
Chair Lamere asked if they had been to other Boards or Committees to discuss this, and Faulkner said she had spoken with the Building Commissioner and he informed them that the use of the property for a dry cleaning business would be in compliance with the zoning bylaws, as it is in the business district.
It was confirmed that the current drive is stone, and that the potential buyer would also like to create enough room for customers to turn around on his property, which the two spaces should allow. Chou also expressed interest in putting one or two windows in the barn. Ms. Hilton suggested that this would change the character of the Historic District. Chair Lamere confirmed that Chou will also want to place a sign at the property. Chou had no sketch or detail of what he planned to do.
On discussion, the Commission agreed that a sketch of reasonable detail is needed, with dimensions of the property indicated in order to obtain a reasonable understanding of what is wanted and how it will change the property. Chair Lamere explained that the Commission would like to see the front of the house preserved as much as possible, as it is in the Historic District, and added that the Commission needs a sketch before it can provide specific advice, and a detailed application and hearing discussion before it can give a definitive answer as to whether it would approve of the changes. Faulkner and Chou will consider whether they will return with more information.
In conclusion, Chair Lamere said that this may require a site plan review, as the changes at Ferns Country Store did require. Ms. Sillers questions whether the property is actually in Residence District A, past the edge of the business district, where this type of business is not allowed (per zoning bylaws). This will be discussed with the Building Commissioner.
Historic Resources Survey
Consultant Anne Forbes has forwarded her list of National Resource Register recommendations from the list of properties in the Historic Resources Survey, and this had been forwarded to the Commission. Chair Lamere asked all to review the list and send any feedback to the Commission Secretary.
The Commission discussed the distribution and storage of the Survey forms, of which there will be over 200. Ms. Hilton suggested that a copy be kept with the Town Clerk's office, in the Commission files, and with the Gleason Library. Chair Lamere suggested that, at this time, the Commission ask for one set of originals for the Commission, and two electronic sets (two CD sets): one to be placed in the Town Hall vault, and one for use.
The Commission also reviewed updated photos of the Historic District properties, recently taken by Chair Lamere, and photos of unapproved signs in the District. Regarding the unapproved signs, the Commission decided upon ones on which Chair Lamere will follow up and explain the requirement for Commission application and approval.
At 9:20 pm, Mr. O'Connor moved and Ms. Sillers seconded the adjournment of the CHC meeting, and the motion was approved unanimously (4-0).
Respectfully submitted,
Gretchen Caywood
Secretary, Historical Commission
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