HomeMy WebLinkAboutNorth Andover Historical Commission Minutes of the North Andover Historical Commission January 17, 2023 Meeting
Present were Kathleen Szyska,Anne Ericson,Jim Wefers, Ron Rudis,Jay Dowd, Stan Limpert
1. The Commission accepted the minutes of the September 28, 2022, meeting as written.
2. Commission voted to approve the request of Laurie Buzlaff, Asst.Town Manager,for a letter of
support for a grant to repair& restore the stables-Carriage House at the Stevens Estate at
Osgood Hill. Ms. Buzlaff also reported on the updating and maintenance plan of the Gate House
at the Stevens Estate, which included painting and the updating of the plumbing and electrical
utilities as well as the addition of appropriate storm windows.
3. Commission voted to approve the request of Andrew Shapiro,Asst. Town Manager,for a letter
of support for a grant for monies to fund an Historic Preservation Plan through the MHC.
4. Ron Rudis reported on present discussions of the 400 Great Pond Committee. He reported that
among the various options of what should be done with the town-owned house at 400 Great
Pond Road were, 1. move the house in order to save it, 2. demolish the house, and 3. for the
town to keep the house and use it as a recreation site for town residents. Discussions continue.
S. Anne Ericson reported on Schofield Mill. She stated that at this time there were no current talks
on the future of the Mill. The Commission stated that the Mill is an important part of North
Andover history and that the Commission would support any/all efforts to protect and preserve
it.
6. The Commission discussed the success of the Demolition Delay Law regarding 136 Salem Street.
In 2018 owners of 136 Salem Street filed for a demolition permit for the property and the
Commission, after an on-site visit, then voted to enact the Demolition Delay Law to prevent the
house from being demolished. In 2022 the Commission was told that the owners of 136 Salem
Street decided to sell the house and that the new owner would be moving the house to a new
location,thus saving the house from demolition. A good day for the preservation of history in
North Andover!