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Thursday September 18, 2008
Hingham Town Hall
7:00 P.M.
Present: Chairman Scott Ford, John McCoy, Nancy MacKay, , Chuck Clutz, Susan Berry, Elaine Marcell, Arthur Choo, Jr., Ben Wilcox
Chairman Scott Ford called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
40 North Street
A representative from William Raveis Realty discussed the signs they plan to place on the North and Station Street sides of the building. A representative from the sign company answere questions about the dimensions of the sign and the color. When asked about lighting, the sign said that they do plan to use fixtures from above to light the sign. He did not have a picture or specifications for the lights and Chairman Scott Ford said that the commission could not approve them without seeing them. Chairman Ford explained to the reps that the windows on the rear and side of the building do not comply with what was specified on the Certificate of Appropriateness, and that the Commission would be reluctant to issue another certificate until the windows were in compliance. After considerable discussion the Commission decided that it should approve the sign on the North St. side of the building because the windows were in compliance. The sign at the rear, however, could not be installed until the Commission received assurance in writing from owner Reuven Levy that the windows on the sides and back of the building complied with the Commission’s decision.
Decision
The Commission voted unanimously to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness to 40 North Street to
install a front-facing sign consistent with plans submitted, and revised 8/11/08. Approval to install the Station Street sign as submitted, is conditioned upon the receipt of written notice from the building owner, Reuven Levy, that he will comply with the previously-issued certificate regarding the windows approved for the rear and sides of the building. Window specifications must be contained within the letter.
Lighting is not part of the certificate and will be reviewed at a later date. Lighting on the front and back of the building do not have to be the same.
297 Main Street
Builder John D’Angelo requested approval to change four badly-deteriorated windows on the south side of the house. He said that the windows were in a recessed portion of the house and although visible, not apparent. Note: The Commission made a site visit to the property to view the windows. Further discussion revealed that Commission members agreed that the windows were beyond repair, but wanted to see them saved. The old glass panes could be used again. Chuck Clutz added that he was concerned that the windows were not safe. The builder said that the wood was deteriorated to the point that all that was holding them together was the putty around the individual panes
Decision
The Commission voted unanimously to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness to 297 Main Street to replace four existing windows as noted on the Form B. The top windows will be 6/6, the bottom 12/12. All windows will be wood, single pane true divided light.
685 Main Street
Architect Bill Thayer submitted plans showing work planned for the Second Parish Church. A small addition is to be added to the rear on the north side of the church to house an accessible bathroom, the stairs (also on the North side) have to be replaced. Wood balusters, decking and railing will be used. The hearse house, a small building adjacent to the church will have to be moved to accommodate the new addition. Finally, a hard-packed gravel path will lead to the accessible bathroom.
Decision
The Commission voted unanimously to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness to 685 Main Street for an accessible bathroom addition to the rear hall of the church. The siding, trim, and roof are to match the existing. The new rear door will be wood. A new egress stair is to be built according to the plans submitted, all trim and material to match existing. Approval is granted to move the hearse house onto a new fieldstone foundation in the location shown on the plan. A compacted gravel walkway is to be installed and will extend from Main Street to the new addition.
20 Middle Street
Bill and Connie
The next HDC meeting is on Thursday September 18, 2008 at 7:00 P.M.
Chairman Scott Ford adjourned the meeting at 9:00 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrea Young
Administrator