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Thursday July 17, 2008
Hingham Town Hall
7:00 P.M.
Present: Chairman Scott Ford, John McCoy, Nancy MacKay, Elaine Marcell, Winston Hall, Arthur Choo, Marty Saunders, Bill Tuitte
Absent: Ben Wilcox, Chuck Clutz
Chairman Scott Ford called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
699 Main Street
Contractor Jonathan Detwiler presented photographs showing the proposed location of air conditioning condensors units on the north side of the house. They will be visible from the public way. Jon said that the reason they could not be placed behind the house was because they would compromise use of the patio.
Decision
The Commission voted unanimously to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness to 699 Main Street to install three air conditioning compressor units as shown as long as they are shielded by plantings. Miss Kim lilacs are strongly recommended.
383 Main Street
Jim Robichaud, representing owner Mark Maisto, requested to install a wood picket fence on top of the existing stonewall. Commission members reminded Jim that the stonewall as originally built exceeded the height specified in the original certificate and had to be cut lower to comply. Jim said that Mr. Maisto feels that the present wall does afford sufficient privacy. Marty Saunders suggested planting large wisteria plants and erecting a trellis to hold the expanding vines. She said that the wisteria would provide a sufficient screen and offered to supervise construction of the trellis.
Decision
The Commission decided unanimously to deny a Certificate of Appropriateness to install a wood picket fence on top of the existing stonewall at 383 Main Street.
41 North
Eric Sobran returned to ask the Commission to allow him to replace the four front windows on the home he is restoring. He cited difficulties finding 4 original windows in good enough shape to restore. He pointed out that even if he were to be able to repair them, he would have to change the window size on the second floor. After considerable discussion, the board concluded that the issue now is whether to preserve the top windows or obtain continuity of window size on the façade. John McCoy said that this is really an issue of preservation. Again Mr. Sobran discussed the difficulty he is having with repairing any of the original windows.
Decision
The Commission voted unanimously to modify the C of A issued to 41 North Street at the 6/17/08 meeting to allow new windows for the 4 front facing windows. The new windows will be wood SPTDL, Brosco or equal on the condition that the windows sizes remain the same as existing.
Note: The Commission reached its decision after a site visit to the property, and evidence of a good faith effort on the part of the owner to restore the windows. Upon removal of the original windows, Mr. Sobran was able to better examine their condition. He determined hat they could not be repaired.
269-271 North Street
Architect Bonnie Hobbs, representing owner John Riley, submitted revisions to a previously –approved plan to build a 4-car garage on the property. The revisions were necessary to comply with a ZBA decision that a 4-car garage could not be built. The new plan showed two separate
2-car garages in two separate locations on the property.
Decision
The Commission voted unanimously to issue a C of A to 269-271 North Street to construct two 2-car garages at two separate locations on the property according to plans drawn 3/31/06 and revised 7/08/08 with the condition that all details and dimensions with the exception of the length match the previously-approved plans.
Good-bye and thanks to Marty
Regretfully, the Commission said good-bye to Marty Saunders, whose term expired at the end of the fiscal year. Chairman Scott Ford thanked Marty for 12 years of service to the Historic Districts Commission. Everyone expressed his/her appreciation for Marty’s knowledge and many talents. The Commission will miss her.
The next HDC meeting is on Thursday August 14, 2008 at 7:00 P.M.
Chairman Scott Ford adjourned the meeting at 8:00 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrea Young
Administrator