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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-03 Old Center Historic District Commission Minutes North Andover Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes April 3, 2024 Present:Ryan Schruender, Roger Lawson, Lisa Roberts, Leslie Frazier, Kathleen Szyska, Laurie Belsito, Michael Lenihan The meeting was called to order at 6:02 p.m. in the Select Board Meeting Room at Town Hall. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Public Meeting—Application for Certificate ofAppropriateness for 100 Osgood St. for the replacement of front door Kathryn Boilard, the applicant, introduced herself and presented that the reason for application to replace the front door was to increase energy efficiency of the house because the current door is drafty and they would like to install one to match the existing side door that was recently replaced. After reviewing the submitted documents and concluding it was a straightforward application, L. Frazier made a motion to approve the application and R. Lawson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Discussion forTown Common Stageproposal Laurie Burzlaff-Was in attendance presenting the concept and ideas for the proposed replacement of the stage on the town common. She stated the current stage is in disrepair and needs replacement, and said she included documents from the Community Preservation Act Project Application for reference. The idea is to replace the current stage, increasing its footprint with a 15ft by 40ft concreate stage with stone or brick veneer to mask it. She said it was strongly suggested to use concrete to get the maximum lifespan from it. There was discussion of the idea to stamp the concrete on the top to mimic pavers, but that was not definitive. She said proposals they are looking at are low profile and discrete, designed to blend in more with the surroundings. There was discussion regarding possibly matching the stone veneer to the current stone used on the bridge remnants near that area of the common. There was also discussion of drainage in which Burzlaff stated that will be considered when the plans are made. She stated there is currently no plan to build up the old Essex Street that goes through the common. R. Schruender brought up that abutters have contacted him with concerns of how much the new stage will be built up, and if it would attract loiterers. L. Burzlaff said the pictures provided publicly as examples give the impression that there will be a lot more of a structure than what is actually being proposed. The pictures were to reference the base of the stages rather than the top structure. The proposal is for a 600 sq. ft. stage with no roof. Burzlaff stated that it will be used for children's shows and band concerts in the summer, and possibly festivals like Sheep Shearing. She stated designers should be ready to go to bid in a couple of months and they anticipate a design will be chosen by July. She also mentioned that she plans to come back before the Old Center Historic District Commission in the fall for approval. L. Roberts made a motion to go into Executive Session and L. Frazier seconded the motion. There was unanimous consent and Executive Session was entered at 6:27 p.m. Executive Session Pertaininga to litigation concerning the 3 Great Pond Road Proms Justin Perrotta Esq., KP Law was present. After discussion there was a call for a vote to authorize Justin Perrotta Esq. to enter into a settlement agreement on the terms of: Planting a mix of staggered, alternating varieties of evergreens following the proposed C3 site plan of where trees are indicated such as: Eastern Red Cedar(min installed height 4ft. tall), Arborvitae (min. installed height 4ft. tall), Rhododendron (min. installed height 2 ft. tall) and Holly (min. installed height 3 ft.), and if possible, a Sugar Maple planted to replace the screening of the mature tree currently there at the bottom of the driveway. Plantings should be offset from edge of driveway allowing for snow plowing without damage. For proposed retaining wall: Natural field stone wall, matched with the current wall to the right of the driveway, instead of modular block wall originally proposed. M. Lenihan made a motion to authorize Justin Perrotta Esq. to enter into a settlement agreement on the terms as stated and L. Frazier seconded the motion. The motion passed five to one with one abstention. K. Szyska was the one dissenting vote and L. Roberts abstained. M. Lenihan made a motion to close the executive session and R. Lawson seconded the motion. The commission exited executive session at 6:53 p.m. L. Roberts brought up her ongoing project to create plaques for historical properties in the Old Center and discussed forming a focus group to discuss what should be included on the plaques, with the idea to include the wives of the first owners. L. Frazier moves to adjourn and K. Szyska seconded the motion. There was unanimous consent to adjourn at 7:of .m.