HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-12-10 Historical Commission Minutes
NORTH ANDOVER HISTORICAL COMMISSION DECEMBER 10, 2018
MEETING MINUTES
ATTENDANCE: All members present
I. 72 MAIN STREET - Request by Christopher Kombouras, property owner, to demolish
garages which exist behind 173 Main Street.
A. Mr. Kombouras described the poor condition of the existing garages. Commission
members discussed the request. Members had viewed he site individually.
B, Kathy Szyska (Chair) made a motion to allow the demolition of the garages. The
motion was seconded and the Commission members voted unanimously to approve the
request.
C. Jan Williams got the necessary paperwork from Mr. Kombouras
II. PROJECTED PLANS FOR THE FORMER PRINTING/TEXTILE MUSEUM ON
MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE IN THE OLD CENTER
A. C.J. Gangi, who has, as an NAHC representative, attended meetings which began
last summer to consider possible uses for the location, described the plan advocated by
the Historical Society (owners of the building). C.J. stated that a North Andover
developer has proposed using the existing facade of the building and creating 8 condos
on the property. This proposal has now gone to the North Andover Planning Board.
B. Wendy Wakeman, a North Andover resident attending the meeting, suggested an
alternate plan "To tear down the building and use the property as open space in the Old
Center” Michael Lenihan , who lives in the Old Center area, suggested that a condo
development would change the Old Center. Mr. Lenihan specifically mentioned the
lighting that would be needed for the condo development.
C.Carol Majahad , Director of the North Andover Historical Society. explained why
Horatio and Caroline Rogers wanted to create a textile museum to remember the
importance of the industry in North Andover's history...and why the historical society
became the owners of the building, “They thought of the Society and the museum as
one entity"
D. Stan Limpert, President of the Historical Society, recounted the many ways the
Historical Society has tried to repurpose the building since the 1990's. He stated that the
Old Center zoning restrictions allow only residential or educational uses. Mr. Limpert
mentioned that the Old Center has always been a residential area, including rental
apartments and duplexes.
1. In response to a comment about the "ugliness" of the textile museum Mr. Limpert
said the building has good bones", was built to hold mill machinery and to remind
viewers of the red brick mill structures built in the 1800's. "It is an iconic building"
2, Kathy Szyska (Chair) added that the building, although under 100 years old, does
embody part of the history of our Town.
3. C.J. Gangi pointed out that the proposed 8 condo development would change the
atmosphere of the Common.
III. OLD BURYING GROUND - Deb Putnam, sponsored by Kathy Stevens. is writing a
booklet about the history of the Old Burying Ground. Anne mentioned that Millie
Matasso had taken many photos of the OBG that Deb might be able to use in the
booklet. Anne offered to try to locate those photos and determine if they would be
available to be used in the new brochure.
IV. CPA FUND FOR OBG - C.J. (NAHS CPA representative)...asked whether the
OBG Preservation Fund should be closed. Kathy said that there were ongoing stone
repairs to be done. She will check on the CPA balance remaining and contact the
Fannins about completing stone repairs in the spring.
THE NEXT MEETING OF THE NORTH ANDOVER HISTORICAL COMMISSION WILL
BE ON WEDNESDAY,JANUARY 16, 2019 AT 4PM AT TOWN HALL