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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-11-20 Old Center Historic District Commission Minutes North Andover Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes November 20, 2024 Present: Ryan Schruender, Michael Lenihan, Roger Lawson, Leslie Frazier, Lisa Roberts, Kathleen Szyska, Laurie Belsito The meeting was called to order at 6:01 p.m. in Select Board Meeting Room at Town Hall. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Certi icate ofAppropriateness for Old Stage at Town Common to allow for removal of the current stae and replace with a new concrete stage. L.Frazier moved to open the public hearing and M. Lenihan seconded the motion. There was unanimous consent. Laurie Burzlaff,Assistant Town Manager/Director of Operations introduced herself and presented the materials provided in the application packet. She noted that there was care taken to create plans for the stage to match the stone look of the old bridge located in the same vicinity on the common. This was something the commission brought up when she first notified us of the idea to replace the stage. She mentioned that they wanted a smooth flat surface on the top of the stage that is easy to maintain, and is ideal for bands, shows and events like the sheep shearing. This differed from the initial idea to have a stamped concreate to look like stone. She mentioned that the stage can only be used for town sponsored events which is a recent change. R. Lawson said he liked option number one on the fourth page of the packet, showing a ramp at the back of the stage rather than the gradient incline of building up the ground behind it. He also noted the granite and the fieldstone facades were both good ideas but learned towards granite. L. Frazier asked if the top of the stage would be flat concreate, and L. Burzlaff said it would be painted or finished so it wouldn't look like a rough concreate. She also said they were discussing a dyed concreate to match the siding. L. Frazier said she also liked option one with the ramp, and matching the siding to the old bridge that currently sits on the common. K. Szzka said she thinks painting the top or coloring the concreate seems like something that would require upkeep for DPW and could wear poorly. She addressed the path to the stage shown in the application packet on page four, and the material used for the path to the stage. She recommended a material used on a nearby path at the historical society that looks like an "old fashioned" gravel path that is grey in color but held in place. There was further discussion about the material used on this path and it was confirmed they were looking into a stone dust path that was the same idea. L. Roberts mentioned she would still prefer a gazebo instead of what was proposed. She also mentioned that her experience with a dyed concreate is that is doesn't wear, and could be a good option, and further recommended that a slight stamp on the top of the stage wouldn't pose a risk for tripping if done slightly. R. Schruender raised the question of which option proposed on page four of the packet was more expensive. It was concluded that option one would be more expensive but that it would still be within budget. He also questioned the size and footprint of the new stage,noting that it is proposed to be 40'xl5'which is more than double the size of what's currently there now. L. Burzlaff mentioned they wanted to make it bigger to accommodate larger bands or different types of shows and not be cramped. There was further discussion about the necessity of a much larger size. R. Schruender opened the discussion to public comments. Noni Macon, 36 Andover St. asked why they are proposing to the change the current stage at all. L. Burzlaff mentioned the stage is falling apart and is a safety hazard. She continued that CPC funding of$210 thousand was approved to be used, but it more likely would be closer to $107 thousand. There was discussion about why the ADA accessible path would be added in the proposed spot. N. Macon raised concern that if you grade the ground for the path, you would most likely have to take out more trees. Dan Leary, 26 Andover St. said that the size of the current stage is appropriate. He mentioned the design of the new stage looks nice but posed concern about the electrical wires and asked if they would be built into the new design. He also said the accessibility path should be at a place where the audience could access it, and not necessarily go directly to the stage. There was discussion of putting the access point on the side of the common that has parking on Osgood St. L. Burzlaff said she would have to check with the engineers to see if they could get rid of the pathway or reposition it. She said there was a vote at town meeting that approved the new proposed size, and was usure if that meant it couldn't be amended but would check. There was discussion about coming to the commission first before putting up a warrant at town meeting. L. Burzlaff mentioned in order to secure the funds, they needed to go to CPC first so they weren't able to give the commission the full plans before being approved for the CPC funds. D. Leary noted he sees a lot of people gathering by the flag pole on the corner of the common by the traffic circle, and said that would be a better access point. There was discussion over the path to the stage and its placement. L. Burzlaff said she would have our tree warden check to see if the trees would be affected by the gradient of the ground to make the path. There was discussion about making a winding path along the old Essex Street to serve the accessibility purpose by creating access points at both ends of the common. There was discussion of the commission not having a jurisdiction over the road. Emails submitted for public comment were read and discussed. Some questions raised in the emails were addressed by L. Burzlaff. Safety was the reason this project was prioritized and using PT planks was discussed but it was decided that they would pose an uneven surface and require too much maintenance. There was question about the maintenance of the common overall and if CPC funds could be used to address upkeep. L. Burzlaff said a copy of Brad Wakeman's email would be discussed with DPW regarding the concerns listed about the upkeep of the common. R. Schruender reiterated getting the commission's recommendations together for L. Burzlaff to take back with her. Consensus was that the commission preferred option one on page four of the application packet with the ramp, along with matching the facade with the old stone bridge. There was agreement that the size of the proposed stage should be smaller, 25'x 15', and it was recommended the defibrillator located near the stage be better incorporated. There was also request for confirmation as to where the electric box would be located. It was also recommended that an old fashioned stone path as discussed at the beginning of the meeting be used as well as the possibilities of incorporating a winding path from different access points. A request for an extension order was requested to continue this meeting. L. Burzlaff said she would get an extension form to be signed. L. Frazier made a motion to extend the public hearing M. Lenihan seconded the motion. There was unanimous consent. Vote on the Certificate ofAppropriateness for 3 Great Pond Road. The certificate was reviewed. M. Lenihan made motion to approve the certificate of appropriateness R. Lawson seconded the motion. L. Roberts excused herselffrom the vote and there was otherwise unanimous consent. Discussion item: letter to businesses within the Old Center Districts or signs rules. R. Schruender passed around a draft letter to businesses in the district as a reminder of the commission's bylaws pertaining to signs. He said this was in response to many new signs popping up that were never brought before the commission. There was discussion about the draft letter being a good starting point and it was decided a filled-out draft, perhaps addressed more broadly to all Historic District residents, would be brought to the next meeting for approval. Approval of Meeting Minutes efrom 1019124 R. Lawson called for a motion to approve the minutes from the meeting on October 9", and K.Syzka seconded the motion. There was unanimous approval. The meeting was adjourned at 7:28 p.m.