Minutes June 23, 2008
Business
1. Reviewed and accepted the minutes of May 19.
2. Reviewed and accepted the minutes of June 2
3. Bills:
University Products $341.87
Robin Wichtroski reimbursement for research expenses $15.10
Christian Carey for cost estimate to renovate/restore the Old Library $320.00
4. Organize Commission for FY09 Karen nominated Barbara as Chair of the Commission and also as the representative to the CPC. Todd seconded. Vote unanimous.
5. Report on the June 7 Barn Conference: Barbara reported that attending the conference was very productive. Thomas Visser of the U. of Vermont presented a History of New England Barns. This will be helpful in dating the barns here in Southwick. She was also able to speak with several individuals involved with either, moving, restoring, or raising funds to save barns. Glenn Pianka gave a presentation - he moves and restores old buildings. He was very interested in saving the tobacco warehouse. Unfortunately, he is booked until sometime in 2010.
6. Rail Trail Kiosks: Barbara will look into when and to whom the Historical Commission needs to get the information about the pictures and text to be placed on the kiosks.
7. Cigar Factory and Warehouse Barn: CVS will be constructing a store on the corner of Vining Hill and College Highway. This is where the Cigar Factory Barn stands. It is on the Southwick and also the State inventory of historic sites in Southwick. Barbara has tried to make contact with a CVS representative to discuss moving the barn. At this point she has been given referrals which have led to an office in Boston where Barbara has left a message. Paul Cigal has been contacted. He is interested in moving the barn if arrangements can be made.
8. Town Hall foyer display area: Todd is preparing a display of before and after photos depicting scenes around Southwick. He will put up the display in July.
9. Old Library: The Commission will be making a presentation for the Selectmen at their June 30th meeting covering the conceptual plans, needs assessment, and cost estimate. Christian Carey will be at the meeting to answer any questions concerning the plans or the cost estimate.
10. Southwick schools-historic items: Barbara has written a request for a transfer from the School Committee to the Historical Commission of: the photos of the one room schools with a photo of Consolidated School when it was dedicated, dedication program, and photo portraits of three Superintendents - Pratt, Miller, Gillette The request was prompted by the fact that it had been brought to the Commission's attention that the School Committee was needing storage space.
11. Photos of Southwick Inn, gas station next to the inn, grist mill: The Commission received in the mail a copy of the places mentioned with no explanation as to where they came from. An e-mail came from Herbert Richardson referring to 4 postcard photos which he sent. The Commission also received word from Thelma Flynn that she had located some photos and sent them along. The photos were taken sometime in the 1930s.
12. Rail Trail Hearing before the Conservation Commission: The hearing will take place on July7 at 7:15 in the land use auditorium. The area of concern covers the rail right of way from Point Grove Rd. to the Westfield boundary. Barbara will try to attend the hearing.
13. Williamsburg Estates: The Planning Board will review the changes made to the development plans to improve the drainage and water runoff issues. It is felt that a recommendation will be made to leave some of the hickory trees near the golf course boundary as seen from Sunnyside Rd. After this final review, the Planning Board will render its decision sometime in July.
14. Wolf Farm Milk Bottle: Karen spoke to Barbara Stromgren who informed her that the bottle probably came from the Charles Wolf Farm which bottled and delivered milk until 1953. The information will be passed on to the person who found the bottle.
Mail
1. E-Mail from Elsa Fitzgerald of Massachusetts Historic Preservation regarding a barn conference to be held in Woodstock, CT on June 7.
2. Planning Board Agenda 6/10, 6/24
3. Open Space Committee Min 5/14 Agenda 6/11
4. From Christian Carey the bill for the cost estimate for the Old Library renovation/restoration $320
5. From the National Trust for Historic Preservation the magazine "Preservation" for July/August 2008
6. Community Preservation Committee Agenda 6/26
7. Economic Development Committee Min 4/1
8. From the American Assoc. for State and Local History the magazine "History News" for Spring 2008
9. From the American Assoc. for State and Local History the ballot for the Leadership Committee
10. From the Town of Southwick via Alec MacLeod, applicant's representative, a notice of a public hearing before the Conservation Commission to be held regarding the rail right-of-way from Point Grove Road north to the Westfield boundary
11. Board of Health Min 5/15
12. From the American Assoc. for State and Local History the agenda for the annual meeting to be held in Rochester, NY on September 9-12
13. Southwick Conservation Commission Agenda 6/16
14. From the American Assoc. for State and Local History the newsletter "Dispatch" for June 2008
15. E-Mail from Herbert Richardson about 4 postcard photos of places in Southwick
16. From Past Perfect the June newsletter
Barbara MacEwan
Chair, Historical Commission
| 
