The Historic District Commission met on October 26, 2006. The following are the Historic District Commission Minutes.

Methuen Historic District Commission, October 26, 2006 at 7:00 P.M.

Rescheduled from September 28, 2006, Great Hall – Searles Building, 41 Pleasant Street, Methuen, MA 01844

1. Call to Order of Regular Meeting

Chairperson Welch called the meeting to order at 7:10 PM. 

2. Roll Call Martha Welch, Chair                                      

Present Rick Coco, Vice Chair                      Absent

Joseph Bella                                                     Present

Raymond Dufresne                                         Absent

Robert Fabino                                                   Present

John Keenan                                                     Absent

Rudy Pivovar, Alternate                                 Absent

Katherine Robinson, Alternate                      Present

David Sigillo, Alternate                                  Absent

Walter Winn                                                     Absent 

Others in Attendance

Lynn Smiledge, Historic Planner, City of Methuen, MA

Mark Andrews, Project Manager, CVS Corporation, Woonsocket, RI

Frank Welch, Methuen, MA

Joe Fisichelli, REMAX Preferred, Methuen, MA

Steve Fisichelli, Methuen, MA

Ron Laffely, Fulcrum Architects, Salisbury, MA  
 

3. Acceptance of October 3, 2006 Minutes 

MOTION BY Commissioner Robinson to accept the minutes of the October 3, 2006 meeting. Second by Commissioner Bella.  

UNANIMOUS VOTE.  

4. New Business 

A. Discussion: Mark Andrews, 233 Broadway: Signage Issues 

Chairperson Welch expressed the Commission’s concerns about the ceiling-suspended signs that are visible through the windows on the parking lot and Park St. elevations. Mr. Andrews said that the signs are an integral part of the interior product identification program, but can be modified to satisfy the aesthetic requirements of the Commission. Discussion ensued on a variety of alternative solutions, including reducing the size of the signs, relocating the signs, painting the backs of the signs, and installing film on the windows.  Mr. Andrews confirmed that approximately seven signs are under discussion – two or three on the Park St. side, two on the Broadway side, and three on the parking lot side. He noted that there are additional signs above the check out and in the entrance vestibule (facing outward).  

MOTION BY Commissioner Robinson to approve the following remediation actions. §          The current signs (including those facing Broadway, Park St., and the parking lot) will be replaced with smaller versions (approx. 16” tall)§          Signs on the Park St. and parking lot elevations will be moved away from the windows and closer to the store interior§          The backs of the signs will be painted black§          The Commission Chair, Martha Welch, is designated to review and approve the sign in the entrance vestibuleSecond by Commissioner Bella. 

UNANIMOUS VOTE. 

5. Old Business 

B. Application/Continuation: Coco & Early, 5 Pleasant Street: Signage 

Chairperson Welch reported that a workshop took place with the applicants on October 23, 2006 (minutes on file); an additional workshop is planned.  

6. Other Business The meeting proceeded ahead of schedule and discussion moved to other business. 

A. Violations and EnforcementMs. Smiledge will inform the owner of Rosario’s Restaurant (12 Hampshire St.) that the banner installed on the fence is temporary and requires commission approval. Friendly’s Restaurant on Broadway has closed and appears to be undergoing renovation; Ms. Smiledge will call the building inspector and will inform Commissioners of the building’s status. Ms. Robinson suggested that an interim commission meeting be scheduled with Friendly’s owners if required. 

B. MiscellaneousMs. Smiledge will obtain a sample and pricing on Open/Closed signs from Hammar & Sons for the next commission meeting. She will contact Joe Cosgrove for the name of the company that fabricated the walking tour signs. Chairperson Welch reported on a positive meeting with the Mayor, who suggested that letters be sent annually to property owners in the historic district and pledged to provide funding for the initiative. Ms. Smiledge provided an update on the design guidelines grant project. Preservation consultant Wendy Frontiero has been contracted and will attend a grant start-up meeting with Ms. Smiledge at the Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) on Monday, Oct. 30. Ms. Smiledge will provide suggestions for grant proposals for the upcoming MHC Survey and Planning grant cycle at the next commission meeting. Ms. Smiledge will determine the status of the fence/landscaping project on the Broadway bridge over Route 213. She will contact DPW about the deteriorated bench on the sidewalk at 12 Hampshire St. and the state of the small park at Hampshire and Lowell streets. 

7. Old Business, continued 

A. Public Hearing Continuation: Joseph Fisichelli, 248 Broadway: New construction 

Chairperson Welch reported that a workshop took place with the applicants on October 16, 2006 at Nevins Library at which building plans were discussed (minutes on file). Ron Laffely, project architect, reviewed plans for a pedestrian-friendly campus that includes a new structure at 248 Broadway and renovations at 246 Broadway. The buildings will reflect the brick context of surrounding structures and borrow design elements from the new CVS building and the Memorial Music Hall.  The new building at 248 Broadway will be clad in historic brick with wood or aluminum windows, a standing seam roof, and a center stucco panel on the Broadway elevation. The same stucco treatment will be used at 246 Broadway where concrete panels exist currently. HVAC equipment will be screened from view on the roof or installed in the basement. Plans for parking lot lighting will be coordinated with the City’s program for historic street lights; seats will be added to the planter islands on Broadway.

Walkway pavers will be brick, and 8” deep cobblestones will highlight the parking areas.  Stonewalls have yet to be finalized, but will probably mirror the granite walls at the Music Hall. Fieldstone walls will be used in pedestrian areas. The project team will return to the Commission for approval of these and other design and material specifications. The project team confirmed that no one has expressed interest in relocating the existing building at 248 Broadway. Demolition will take place in the early Spring after the bank has approved final project costs. Ms. Smiledge reminded the team that the building should be thoroughly documented prior to demolition. Discussion ensued on the necessity of a vote and whether or not the conditions of the initial application approval had been met. 

MOTION BY Commissioner Fabino to approve the building plans for 246 and 248 Broadway with the condition that additional review and approval of the final plan presentation is required, including brick, stucco, and color choices. Second by Commissioner Bella. Commissioners Welch, Fabino and Bella voted to approve. Commissioner Robinson abstained. The application was approved.  MOTION BY Commissioner Fabino to adjourn the meeting. Second by Commissioner Bella. 

UNANIMOUS VOTE.

Meeting Adjourned at 8:20 PM.

 Respectfully submitted,

Lynn Smiledge