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Thursday August 13, 2009
Hingham Town Hall
7:00 P.M.
Present: Chairman Scott Ford, Susan Berry, Ben Wilcox, Nancy MacKay, Elaine Marcell, Arthur Choo, Bill Tuite, John McCoy
Absent: Chuck Clutz
Chairman Scott Ford called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
48 Middle Street
Susan Berry recused herself from this hearing. Jeffrey and Susan Johnson submitted an application to add railings to a newly-constructed porch, approved by the Commission at the July 16, 2009 meeting. Decision
Members voted unanimously to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness to 48 Middle Street to install black wrought iron railings, as shown in the drawing submitted, on the porch and steps.
578 Main Street
Vcevy Strekalovsky, architect for the South Shore Baptist Church addition, presented revisions to the plans for the ell on the north side of the church. The revisions were made in response to recommendations from the Commission at the July, 2009 meeting. The Commission also requested that story poles be placed on the roof to show the proposed new height of the ell. Commission members Nancy MacKay, Susan Berry and Arthur Choo, Jr. approved of the revisions. Mr. Choo stated that all the elements he identified had been addressed. Members agreed that simplifying the details was an improvement.
Abutter Pat McAllen – The problem is the south view. It looks like a long blank wall. Can you recommend moving the 12 Free Street house to the corner to mitigate the view?
Chairman Ford – We can’t require them to move the house. The issue is that our jurisdiction only extends to 150 ft. The only thing that triggers our review on that side is the ramp.
Attorney John Shea – Extensive landscaping on Free and Main is designed to mitigate the view. I can state emphatically we will not move the house to the corner. Our priority is to save the house.
John McCoy – It is unfortunate that the biggest change is out of our purview. I give you credit for changes to the ell, but plantings are only as good as their maintenance and can’t be counted on as a permanent solution.
Ben Wilcox – (referring to the windows on the ell) If we’re going to make exceptions because of the distance from the street, we may as well get as close to true-divided-light as we can to correct the profile. Also, the concrete pavers proposed for the walkway are artificial bricks. The landscape architect said that the church would be willing to work with authentic brick.
Decision
The Commission voted unanimously to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness to 578 Main Street for changes to the plans for the existing addition on the north side of the church as shown on plans dated 8/13/09. A window manufacturer will be determined at a later date. The existing handicap ramp will be removed and railings added to the stairs under the ramp. A wood fence as submitted will be installed. Approval of the landscape plan is subject to determination of the brick.
215 North Street
Carl and Susan Achille requested approval to install a fence across the left (as you face the house) side of the front yard to ensure privacy.
Decision
The Commission voted unanimously to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness to 215 North Street to install a 4 ft. high, wooden spaced-board fence. The fence will be painted white.
34 North Street
Owner Terry Granahan came before the Commission to request approval for work already completed. Mr. Granahan had to replace the front steps, which became increasingly unsafe as they crumbled. He replaced the brick steps with granite steps.
Decision
The Commission voted unanimously to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness to 34 North Street to replace the existing brick steps with granite.
21 Cottage Street
Contractor Rick Macarelli requested approval to add a second deck to the house at 21 Cottage Street.
Decision
The Commission voted unanimously to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness to 21 Cottage Street to construct a deck on the left side of the house as shown in plans submitted 8/13/09. The decking will be wood. An apron will be constructed around the framing and painted to match the existing house. All details will match the other deck.
730 Main Street
Owner Brie Williams presented a package of materials showing elements proposed for the addition to the existing house. The Commission heard Ms. Williams presentation and provided feedback and guidance with regard to her selections.
Decision
Because these elements represented a change to what was published in the legal notice, the Commission will make the motion for a certificate at the next meeting, after providing the proper public notice.
The next HDC meeting is on Thursday September 24, 2009 at 7:00 P.M.
Chairman Scott Ford adjourned the meeting at 9:10 P.M. The Commission then met with Mr. and Mrs. Lind to resolve issues related to their July 16, 2009 hearing. Mr. Lind provided the Commission with a recording of that meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrea Young
Administrator