Minutes April 7, 2008
BUSINESS
1. Reviewed and accepted the minutes of March 3, 2008.
2. Bills: Southwoods 45.32 AASLH Membership $100.00
3. Received two maps from Atty Pollard. One is a hand drawn map of the center of Southwick as it was in 1794. The center at that time was located where the old cemetery is found. The meetinghouse stood near what is now the intersection of Klaus Anderson Rd and College Highway. In 1794, Klaus Anderson Rd was known as the Road to Granville. College Highway is labeled Road to Westfield north of the meetinghouse and Road to Connecticut south of the meetinghouse. The other map is dated 1847. The meetinghouse is gone having burned. The Congregational and the Baptist Church appear on the map in the town center which has shifted north to what is now the intersection of College Highway, Granville Rd, and Depot St. In 1847, Granville Rd. was known as Hillside Rd. and Depot St. was known as Broad St.
4. An update of the Historical Commission membership was sent to the Massachusetts Historical Commission. This is done annually and MHC provides to the commissions a snap shot of the other active Commissions across the state.
5. Amasa Holcomb Research -- Robin has found a copy made on Jan 2, 1833, of the American Journal of Science and Arts 1820. Entry #7 features "Mr. Amasa Holcomb of Southwick, Massachusetts who manufactures spy glasses of every description now in use; also achromatic telescopes of forty eight inches focal length, which will give a distinct view of Jupiter's belts and of the eclipses of his satellites, as well as of the principal double stars. He makes also reflecting telescopes of from eight to twelve feet focal length. These are made on Herschell's plan only, and will perform more than those of the refracting kind, but are not as durable and, in some respects, not as convenient. Any of the above instruments will be made to order, and warranted to perform more than the imported
instruments of the same prices. Prof. Olmsted, of Yale College, after some examination of one of Mr. Holcomb's telescopes, permits his name to be referred to and has communicated to the editor his favorable opinion of the work. It gives us pleasure to aid in making known an artist, self taught, and as we believe, worthy of patronage and encouragement. Southwick is in Hampdeen county, upon the Connecticut line, and is one of the towns intersected by the New Haven, Farmington, and Northampton Canal. It is five miles distant from Westfield, and twenty two miles from Northampton."
6. Conservation/Preservation Easement for 20 Depot St. Barbara mailed to Atty Albano copies of the 2005 letters announcing the placement of the Laflin /Phelps Homestead on the National Register as well as a copy of the National Register certificate. Barbara also had a conversation with Walter Maros of MHC who outlined the state and federal tax incentive program for historic rehabilitation of historic sites. He provided names of contacts at the state and federal level that would assist if this is an avenue the developer wishes to pursue.
7. Inventory of Historic Sites The Commission reviewed the sample Form A and Form B that were submitted by Steve Bedford. Karen and Barbara had met with Steve on March 5 and at that meeting provided input as to what direction the Commission would like to see the inventory selection take. Where cluster buildings occurred the Commission indicated which buildings to focus on.
8. Todd, Crystal, and Barbara met on March 6 and continued the visual check of house #s and tobacco barn sites. The task of updating the MHC list is almost complete. The Commission now has a master list of historic sites in town. From this list, Steve Bedford is choosing the 135 to complete inventory forms for. The Commission will then amend the MHC inventory forms for those which will be dropped and those where structural changes have been made.
9. The deadline for articles for the annual town meeting on May 20 was April 4.
10. Hank Barton contacted the Historical Commission about Southwick items he had. He used to live in town and has some Southwick memorabilia and photos he wishes to give to the Commission. He was told that we would be glad to add them to the Town Archives and he could drop the items off at the town hall at his convenience.
11. PAL's request for a digital copy of Southwick property map specifically the properties north of South Longyard where the canal was located -- Barbara will try to obtain a copy. It has been difficult in to pinpoint the scope of the assessors mapping project and if a digitized version will be or does exist in town hall. PAL needs the digital version of the property lines in order to proceed with the Canal Pilot Study they are doing for MHC.
12. Low altitude orthos A request has been received to financially help in obtaining this enhancement to the digital mapping system of the town. The Commission feels that it can contribute $500 from this FY08 budget and $500 from the FY 09 budget.
13. The Commission noted that, as April 21 is a holiday the next meeting of the Commission would be held on April 28. Barbara will post the new meeting date.
14. The Commission received a call from Gov. Patrick's office regarding the New Hampshire/Northampton Canal National Register Nomination. A support letter will be sent to the Massachusetts Historical Commission.
MAIL
1. Received from Chris Skelly, Director of Local Government Programs for the Massachusetts Historical Commission the annual membership update form
2. From Atty Albano re the Conservation/Preservation Easement at 20 Depot St. a summation of a conversation with Atty Sypek, Counsel to the developer
3. Conservation Commission Min 2/4 Agenda 3/11, 3/17
4. Planning Board Min 1/7, 1/22 Agenda 3/18, 3/25, 4/1
5. Open Space Planning Committee Min 1/9, 2/25 Agenda 3/12
6. Lake Management Committee Min 1/24, 3/13
7. From the American Association for State and Local History the newsletter "Dispatch" for March 2008
8. From the Planning Board the Notice of a Public Hearing regarding a new building to be constructed at 65 Hudson Drive
9. Notice from the Selectmen's Office regarding the deadline for submitting articles for the Special and Annual Town Meeting on May 20
10. Community Preservation Committee Min 1/24, 2/28 Agenda 3/20
11. From Past Perfect Software a thank you for purchasing Past Perfect Version 4.0 in addition to support information
12. From AASLH the annual fund drive request
13. E-Mail from Hank Burton regarding items pertaining to Southwick that the Commission might want
14. E-Mail from Chris Skelly regarding the Laflin/Phelps Homestead
15. E-Mail from Carole Ryan regarding the historic status of her home on Hillside Rd. - It is one of the one room schoolhouses.
16. From the National Trust for Historic Preservation the "Forum News" for Mar/Apr 2008
17. E-Mail from John Daley of PAL requesting a digital copy of the properties located in the canal pilot study
18. E-Mail from DPW regarding low altitude orthos
19. From the American Association For State and Local History the "History News" for Winter 2008
20. From New England Historical Markings a notice about a plaque program for historic properties.
21. From the Board of Selectmen a notice about the 2008 E-Government Award which the town received
22. Board of Health Min2/7
23. From the Northeast Document Conservation Center a notification of the 2008 NEH Preservation Assistance Grant
24. A notification of Intent with the Conservation Commission regarding the Westfield Gas & Electric constructing a gas pipeline on the rail-right-of way
25. A notice of a Public hearing regarding an amendment to the Lexington Circle Subdivision Plan
26. Notice of a Public Hearing regarding Rotin Realty for a Special Permit and Site Plan Approval for property located at 5 Whalley Way
27. From the Arts Cultural Council an invitation to the Art Exhibit at the Town Hall on April 11
28. E-Mail from American Assoc. for State and Local History a notice of renewal of membership
29. E-Mail from Peter Stott MHC - meeting with Steve Bedford on Apr 9 at 10:30 in Southwick regarding the inventory grant
Barbara MacEwan, Chair
Karen Brzezinski
Todd Shiveley
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