Historical Commission Meeting

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Meeting of Historical Commission

Members: (Quorum)

• Absent: Ann Tweedy
• Absent: Sara Robinson
• Absent: Edie Field, Honorary
• Absent: Anne Schuyler
• Present: Eva Gibavic, at 7:00 PM
• Present: Carole Desanti, at 7:00 PM
• Present: Susan Lynton, at 7:00 PM
• Present: Susan Mareneck, Chair, at 7:00 PM

Also Present:

• Pleun Bouricius
• Tobias Bernecker/CGB

See original Agenda Final Minutes

Meeting opened: 7:15 PM

Meeting closed: 9:00 PM

0. Meeting Preliminaries

   • Meeting Opened / Attendance Taken (see above).

   • Minutes Approved: Mon, Dec 9 - Historical Commission Meeting

1. New Business

   • Public input - Topics from the public

     General Discussion...
     Tobias Bernecker from Clark Greene & BEK architects presents a schematic of the sawmill project site plan. Points out driveway, parking, landscaping to accommodate accessibility. He, with Susan Lynton's assistance, explains the different uses on the different floors. Questions about accessibility are discussed and the possibility of a footpath along the front of the building, suggested by the board and others in the public, is TBD. Question posed about whether this plan meets the purpose of the Historic Preservation Restriction held by the Historical Commission to protect the outside of the building from changes to its industrial character. This question will also be arbitrated by the Dept. of Interior and its state historic preservation office, which is Mass Historical Commission. Since an amended HPR will be issued once the National Park Service grant is complete, this question will be thoroughly addressed as part of the process.

2. CPA Letters of Support

   • LOS - FONLS request 2024

     MOTION, moved by Carole Desanti, seconded by Eva Gibavic: Move that we develop a letter of support from the Historical Commission for the rehabilitation of the Slarrow Sawmill.

     Pass: Aye: Carole Desanti, Eva Gibavic. Abstain: Susan Lynton, Susan Mareneck. Not Present: Edie Field, Anne Schuyler, Sara Robinson, Ann Tweedy.

3. Conditions Assessment of Leverett Cemeteries

   • Update - Meeting to assess and collate info from walk-through North, Moore's Corner and Chestnut Hill cemeteries with Leverett Cemetery Association fall 2024 Put together an RFP for using funds from last year's town meeting allocation to estimate costs associated with doing the needed repair work in three of Leverett's historic cemeteries.

     General Discussion...
     Susan Mareneck is going to work on combining the notes from the commission members who surveyed the three cemeteries (Moore's Corner, Chestnut Hill/Mt. Hope and North) in the fall to develop a scope of work (list of items) to be evaluated by a professional. Carole will send her notes. Eva has notes and photos as well. Judy Todd has already given her notes to Susan.

4. Historical Signage

   • Industrial History Markers - Update - Signage for Cave Hill, Federal Mill and Roaring Brook Mill

     General Discussion...
     We plan to proceed with three other signs. When we have interacted with property owners we can collate the questions that come up with regard to additional instructions (such as came up in the installation of the Chestnut Hill Mill sign). Pleun is going to work up a new budget to take into account the less expense needed for signs, now that they have been designed and only need to be printed. That should leave some funds for programming such as the Timber Industry video screening on February 1, 2025 and the Timber Industry program on March 29, 2025. Both will be held at the library community room.

5. Oversight of Historical Assets

   • HPR - Update - HPR for stone features

   • Properties - Update on - Slarrow Sawmill (FONLS); Moore's Corner Schoolhouse (LHS); 'Heritage Park & Nature Trail'(FONLS/Town of Leverett); Field Tavern (private); Graves' Ironworks (Town of Leverett managed by FONLS as part of 'Heritage Park' conservation area); Field Library/Museum (Town of Leverett in partnership with LHS)

6. Leverett's 250th Anniversary

   • Events - Update - Leverett Birthday 251, March 2025; Raffle of Crazy Quilt.

     General Discussion...
     Question as to whether the quilt be raffled. Contributors are not enthusiastic about it going into private hands.

7. Reports from Other Town Committees

   • Monthly Updates - Community Preservation Committee/ Selectboard/ Planning Board/ Affordable Housing/ Board of Health/ Recreation Committee/ Council on Aging/ Cultural Council/ Zoning Board of Appeals/ Conservation Commission.

8. Embodied History - Timber Industry Video from February 2024 viewing to be announced

   • Embodied History - Timber Industry viewing for participants: Saturday February 1, 2025, 12:30pm; Community Room, Library; Invitations to participants; Refreshments. Saturday, March 29, 2025, 'Timber Industry in Leverett - Historical Context' 1-2:30pm, Community Room, Library.; Refreshments. Partner with Library?

9. Meeting Wrap-up

   • Next Meetings:
     1. Mon, Feb 10, at 7:00 PM "Historical Commission Meeting" -- Online and in-person at Town Hall Topic: Historical Commission Meeting - Join Zoom Meeting: Meeting ID: 848 0606 91; Passcode: 254618
     2. Mon, Mar 10, at 7:00 PM "Historical Commission Meeting" -- Online and in-person at Town Hall Topic: Historical Commission Meeting - Join Zoom Meeting: Meeting ID: 848 0606 91; Passcode: 254618
     3. Mon, Apr 14, at 7:00 PM "Historical Commission Meeting" -- Online and in-person at Town Hall Topic: Historical Commission Meeting - Join Zoom Meeting: Meeting ID: 848 0606 91; Passcode: 254618
     4. Mon, May 12, at 7:00 PM "Historical Commission Meeting" -- Online and in-person at Town Hall Topic: Historical Commission Meeting - Join Zoom Meeting: Meeting ID: 848 0606 91; Passcode: 254618
     5. Mon, Jun 9, at 7:00 PM "Historical Commission Meeting" -- Online and in-person at Town Hall Topic: Historical Commission Meeting - Join Zoom Meeting: Meeting ID: 848 0606 91; Passcode: 254618
     6. Mon, Jul 14, at 7:00 PM "Historical Commission Meeting" -- Online and in-person at Town Hall Topic: Historical Commission Meeting - Join Zoom Meeting: Meeting ID: 848 0606 91; Passcode: 254618

The listing of matters is those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law.

Minutes prepared by SM

Minutes approved on Tuesday, Mar 4, 2025