Historical Commission meeting

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Meeting of Historical Commission

Members: (Quorum)

• Absent: Edie Field, Honorary
• Absent: Susan Lynton
• Present: Anne Schuyler, at 7:20 PM
• Present: Eva Gibavic, at 7:00 PM
• Present: Carole Desanti, at 7:00 PM
• Present: Ann Tweedy, at 7:00 PM
• Present: Susan Mareneck, Chair, at 7:00 PM

Also Present:

• Cynthia Baldwin
• Sam Black representing FONLS to answer questions related to the CPA application.

See original Agenda Final Minutes

Meeting opened: 7:10 PM

Meeting closed: 8:32 PM

0. Meeting Preliminaries

   • Meeting Opened / Attendance Taken (see above).

   • Minutes Approved: Mon, Sep 22 - Historical Commission meeting

1. CPA Letters of Support

   • LOS - Approval of FONLS request for LOS for CPA application 2025.

     General Discussion...
     A draft of a Letter of Support (LOS) by the Historical Commission members who are not recused (Ann Tweedy, Anne Schuyler, Carole DeSanti and Eva Gibavic) for FONLS CPA funding for FY2027 has been drafted. Sam and Cyndie were advised that the commissioners do not have questions for FONLS at this point. Eva says she will have questions regarding the proposal at the CPC meeting on 10/15/25. She advised that FONLS attend that meeting in case there are questions.
     
     The LOS draft was edited by commissioners and it was decided not to include reference to the NPS grant in the the letter. A final draft of the LOS for FONLS' application for CPA funds was approved.

     MOTION, moved by Eva Gibavic, seconded by Carole Desanti: Motion to approve the Letter of Support as edited for the Friends of the North Leverett Sawmill's CPA proposal to do urgent structural repairs at the sawmill.

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

     The LOS will be signed with names of those members of the HC who wrote the letter (Eva, Ann T., Anne S. and Carole). SM will put on LHC letterhead and send back to Eva to distribute in the next 24 hrs.

2. Conditions Assessment of Leverett Cemeteries

   • Update - Update on conditions assessment in three of Leverett's historic cemeteries.

     General Discussion...
     Carole DeSanti reported that Beyond the Gravestone LLC is willing to come to Leverett to evaluate the three historic cemeteries in November. They will charge $3-500/ cemetery. She has also spoken to TaMara Conde of Historic Gravestone Services who is willing to evaluate the stones selected by the LHC/ Leverett Cemetery Association members in the fall of 2024, without charge. Should we include Jackson Hill Cemetery? Carole will try to set up a November date for the CT company to visit. Eva suggests the idea of LiDAR imaging which might offer an alternative to restoring gravestones in perpetuity by offering access to historic cemeteries through 3D printing.

3. Oversight of Historical Assets

   • Archaeological sites - Issues Regarding Archaeological Sites in Leverett

     General Discussion...
     Eva sent data that she had on Leverett archaeological sites that might be effected by their expanded cut-zones to Eversource. She plans to remap once leaves are down on Richardson Road near the beaver pond. It has not been done since 2011.

   • CPA Annual Review - Details of the 2025 tour of CPA-funded sites.

     General Discussion...
     Ann Tweedy will send noted to all of the HC members to review and then we can discuss next month. Research the HPR (does that refer to the Leverett Crafts and Arts? the NPS requirements for the Sawmill?)

   • HPR - Update - HPR for stone features

   • Ironworks Mapping - Status of archaeological mapping at Heritage Park/Ironworks site.

   • 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)

     General Discussion...
     Mapping is underway at the Ironworks.

5. Embodied History - Timber Industry Program

   • Embodied History - Update on Timber Industry film and program. Embodied History topics?

6. Historical Signage

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

6. Reports from Other Town Committees

   • Historical Commission rep on CPC - Discussion of role of Historical Commission representative on the Community Preservation Committee. Changes at the CPC.

7. HC membership

   • Update - HC membership/role changes

     General Discussion...
     Several candidates for the HC have declined. At this point changing official roles on the LHC does not seem feasible.

8. New Business

   • Public input - Topics brought to HC for future consideration

   • Society for Industrial Archaeology - Society for Industrial Archaeology - Sawmill River Industrial Corridor Tour April 2026 - date?

     General Discussion...
     It was decided to invite the SNEC of SIA to visit the Sawmill River Industrial Corridor on either Saturday April 11 or preferably the 18, 2026 if Pleun is able to book that date. We will discuss details at the November 10, LHC meeting.
     
     FONLS will be invited to co-host with LHC.
     
     Should we plan to visit Solomon Gould Mill (Elliot Sherman's property though it can be accessed from Cowl's land as well) on this tour. Others?
     
     What other sites nearby in other town might we recommend to visitors?

9. Meeting Wrap-up

   • Next Meetings:
     1. Mon, Nov 10, at 7:00 PM "Historical Commission Meeting" -- Online only: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86125147556
     2. Sun, Nov 23, at 1:00 PM "Historical Commission Meeting" -- Online only: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86125147556
     3. Mon, Dec 8, at 7:00 PM "Historical Commission Meeting" -- Online only: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86125147556
     4. Mon, Jan 12, at 7:00 PM "Historical Commission Meeting" -- Online only: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86125147556

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 Thursday, Dec 4, 2025