HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-11-16 Historical Commission Minutes North Andover Historical Commission November 16, 2023 meeting
Present: Ron Rudis(chairperson), Anne Ericson, Stan Limpert, Kathy Szyska
1. Meeting called to order at 5:00 pm.
2. Discussed correspondence from Brian Mercer concerning the condition of the Primus Stevens
headstone at the Old Burial Ground. Kathy Szyska volunteered to check on the headstone and report
back to the Commission.
3. Becky Mignone and Laurie Burzlaff presented plans for the restoration and preservation of the
stables at the Stevens Estate. Szyska made a motion seconded by Limpert to recognize the significant
historical and cultural value of the Stevens Estate stables and to support the historical preservation
plan as presented to the Commission.Approved 4-0.
4. Carrie LaPierre presented a proposal to create a memorial for Elizabeth Johnson Jr. in the Old Burial
Ground. Due to the efforts of North Andover students the MA state legislature recently to voted to
exonerate Ms.Johnson for her witchcraft conviction during the Salem Witch Trials. The commission
expressed concern that this would go against past precedent in that Ms.Johnson was not buried at
the Old Burial Ground and expressed support for a memorial elsewhere on public property. Szyska
made a motion seconded by Limpert to deny the request to host the memorial at the Old Burial
Ground. Approved 4-0.
5. Leslie Frazier and Norma Lochman presented a proposal from the Friends of Memorial Park,the NA
Improvement Society, the NA Garden Club and the Patriots Memorial Park neighborhood to donate
and install a sign at the park. The sign would explain the history, significance and purpose of the
park. The Commission suggested some alternative materials and designs.
6. Limpert made a motion, seconded by Szyska to accept the minutes for the 9-18-23 Historical
Commission site visit at 922 Dale Street and the minutes for the 9-18-23 Historical Commission
meeting. Approved 4-0.
7. Anne Ericson expressed concern wrt to the condition of the Scholfield Mill and suggested that the
Commission discuss the property at a future meeting. Stan Limpert noted that the North Andover
Historical Society was in the discussions with the town to take over ownership of the property.
Meeting adjourned at 6:30
Documents Distributed
1. 2023-09-18 Historical Commission Meeting Minutes.pdf
2. 2023-09-18 Historical Commission Site Visit Meeting Minutes.pdf
3. EJJ Memorial Presentation.pdf
4. Patriots Memorial Park draft.pdf
5. Patriots Memorial Park- email.pdf
6. Public Comment- Gravestone of Primus at Old North Parish Burying Ground.pdf