HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-04-01 Stevens Memorial Library Trustees Minutes North Andover Historical Commission
Meeting Minutes -April 1, 2026
Present: Ron Rudis (chair), Jim Wefers, Stan Limpert, Jay Dowd, Anne Lafond
1. Meeting called to order at 5:03 pm.
2. No public comments.
3. Correspondence: Letter from Colonel Frye's descendant saying his headstone cleaned at their own
expense. [The committee had previously voted to approve the cleaning. Remaining money from the CPA
grant that could be used for headstone cleaning.]
4. Old Business:
a. FY'27 CPA applications: CPA application for Old Center Historic District signage was
withdrawn.
b. Historic Bell: suggestion to use it at the new elementary school; school department shows little
interest in the bell.
c. 169 Chestnut St. Subdivision: CPA application to buy two lots on the Colonel Fry house was
rejected by the CPC; CPC rejected the proposal due to the lack of partnership with a
conservation organization and the high price of the land; Property has been broken up into four
lots: one with the house and one with the barn.
d. Old Burying Ground Tree Removal: Tree removal didn't happen in the fall as planned; A note was
sent to the town manager and DPW director requesting funding in the next fiscal year budget, but
no reply was received.
e. Scholfield Mill Evaluation: Six responses were received to an RFP;All six respondents were
impressive; Limpert and Rudis reviewed them and narrowed it down to one firm to request a
financial proposal; RFQ asked respondents to assess the condition of the building and propose
either saving it or demolishing it and replacing it with something beneficial to the town that
respects the historical nature of the site.
f. Historical Preservation Plan Tasks:
• Design Guidelines draft RFP: A draft RFP was sent out for review; Guidelines are flexible,
especially for the Machine Shop Village neighborhood, addressing modern materials like vinyl
siding.
• MACRIS draft SOW: waiting for input from town planning staff.
4. Other Business:
a. Witch Monument: A decision was made to put the monument on the lawn next to the Hayscales
Company; There is disagreement about who owns the property; town is going to put a warrant
article on the ballot to transfer ownership to the historical society.
b. North Parish Church renovation: work has finally begun; CPA funding the renovation.
5. Limpert made a motion, seconded by Dowd to approve the February 4, 2026 meeting minutes.
Approved 5-0.
6. Meeting adjourned at 5:35 pm
Documents Distributed: none