Minutes
April 28, 2008
Business
1. Reviewed the concept plans for the Old Library renovation/restoration. Present were Michelle Hill, Town Clerk and Commission members Barbara MacEwan, Karen Brzezinski, and Todd Shiveley. Invited but absent: John Westcott, Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds and Art Boissonnault, Channel 15. The plans incorporated the historic aspects of the interior and exterior of the building with the need for studio and storage space as well as handicap accessibility. The Commission felt that all criteria set out were met in the plans presented by Christian Carey, historic architect. The ramp for handicap accessibility to the building will extend from the rear door to the parking area and the design is not intrusive but compliments the architectural character of the building. A suggestion was made to move the handicap
accessible bathroom, which will be located in the back room, from the inside wall to the outside wall so that the furnace in the basement will not have to be moved. The Commission members agreed to present the plans to the Selectmen at one of their June meetings. Meanwhile, the Commission asked Christian Carey about a cost estimate of the renovation/restoration project – taking into consideration the needs assessment, concept plans for renovation, and providing what is needed for handicap accessibility. It was voted to hire Christian Carey to prepare the cost estimate.
2. Reviewed and accepted the minutes of April 7, 2008.
3. Signed bills: Amasa Holcomb and Hampshire/Hampden Canal Research $305.25; National Trust for the Americans with Disabilities Resource Guide for Historic Preservation Commissions $35.00
4. Planning and Survey Project (Inventory of Historic Sites) Karen and Barbara met with MHC members Peter Stott and Michael Steinitz and Fitzgerald & Halliday inventory consultant, Steve Bedford, on April 8 at the Town Hall. The project is at the half waypoint and what has been produced by Fitzgerald and Halliday was reviewed. With the loss of a team member, F&H was behind in the number of inventory forms processed. A new person has been hired and Steve assured MHC and SHC that they would catch up by June 1. In light of this MHC sated that an extension beyond the June 30 deadline would have to be granted but not beyond the end of July. Steve will check in as to progress made by the middle of May. MHC reviewed the sample inventory forms and made some suggestions as to text format and mapping process. SCH
expressed a desire to review each form especially when multiple buildings were involved so that the focus is on the correct one. There is still a problem in obtaining a digital mapping format form Southwick Town Hall so that Steve can record the inventory digitally. This will provide a historical overlay to the town map. Barbara will look into the delay in forwarding the digital map disk to Steve.
5. Williamsburg Estates: Todd Shiveley and Crystal Brooks attended a walk of the property arranged by the Planning Board for Saturday April 26. Todd reported that the path of Mouse Hill Road is clearly visible with hickory trees also in the area. He stated that the vista is spectacular and should be considered in the development plans for the property. The Planning Board Hearing (continued) is to be held on April 29 at 7:15 in the Town Hall. Barbara will be the only SHC member able to attend to voice the concerns of the Historical Commission as to the historic county road (Mouse Hill Road) and the scenic vista through which the road passes; all of which is adjacent to the Ranch Golf Course.
6. Amasa Holcomb Research: Robin has found information at Elsevier Limited, a company in England. It appears that they have the Journals of the Franklin Institute. Permission will have to be obtained in order to secure copies of the entries pertaining to Amasa. The fee for the Journals in question is $75.60. This information is needed to verify Amasa Holcomb’s contribution to the scientific and historical community. Robin and Barbara will compare the material obtained from the Smithsonian and see which Journals the Commission needs to augment the information already in the file. The Smithsonian Bulletin #228 which features Holcomb, Fitz, and Peati three 19th century telescope makers has Amasa Holcomb’s autobiography as well as the 1834 and 1835 reports on Holcomb’s reflecting
telescopes as reported in the Journal of the Franklin Institute.
7. Hampden/Hampshire Canal Research: Robin found information at the Westfield Athenaeum that was thought to be “lost”. It was not with the historical collection but with the library holdings. This is an important addition to the canal research. The Commission will look through the material at one of its work sessions.
8. Southwick memorabilia: Hank Barton who used to live in Southwick on College Highway near the Old Library dropped off some photos (all except one are of Consolidated School classes) and a July 1950 copy of “Western Massachusetts Hi-Lines” which has an article with numerous photos of Southwick. The one photo that is not of school classes shows a group of women – the names will have to be researched as well as the significance of the group.
9. The Americans with Disabilities Resource Guide for Historic Preservation Commissions: The building department requested a copy. The Commission decided that the cost of making a copy would be more than obtaining the original. It was also decided that the cost of a copy should not be incurred by the Commission, therefore information on obtaining a copy will be forwarded to the building maintenance department
10. Mail was reviewed.
11. Any other business: It was voted to cancel the May 5 meeting as there will not be a quorum of the members. The next meeting will be May 19.
Mail
1. Community Preservation Committee min 3/20
2. Planning Board Min 1/29, 2/12, 2/26, 3/4, 3/11 Agenda 4/15, 4/22, 4/26, 4/29
3. Invitation to luncheon reception for Fred Arnold, Selectman, who has served 10 years as selectman and is not running again for the office.
4. From the National Trust for Historic Preservation the magazine Preservation for May/June 2008
5. From Steve Bedford an updated historic resources inventory list
6. From Preservation Mass an invitation to the Preservation Massachusetts Awards Dinner on May 7, 2008 in Boston
7. From Past perfect a promotional card for their software
8. E-Mails 4/11 and 4/23 from Laura Steward of ELSVIER in Oxford, England regarding permission to use the “Journal of the Franklin Institute” which contains information on Amasa Holcomb’s contributions to the scientific and historic community.
9. From the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions the Program for the Forum 2008 to be held on July 10-13 in New Orleans
10. Bill from National Trust for Historic Preservation for the ADA-Americans w/Disabilities Act Guide for Historic Preservation Commissions
11. From the Smithsonian Institution the United States National Museum Bulletin #228
12. From the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions the “Alliance Review” for March/April 2008
13. From the American Assoc. for State and Local History a notice for a seminar for Historic Administration
14. From the Association for State and Local History the newsletter “Dispatch” for April 2008
15. From the Association for State and Local History a card about their Performance Management program for historic sites
16. From the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and advance notice of their annual meeting to be held on June 5 at Mount Holyoke College
17. Open Space Planning Committee Min 3/12 Agenda 4/9
18. From Preservation Massachusetts a notice that membership renewal is due
19 Board of Health Min 3/13
Barbara MacEwan
Chair, Historical Commission
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