West Bridgewater Historical Commission
Meeting Minutes
January 4, 2010
Called to Order: 7:00 P.M.
Present: Commission Members Bob Bevis, Jim Benson, Anne Marie Sheedy, Joan McAndrew and Tom McAndrew. Also in attendance was invited guest West Bridgewater Building Inspector, Paul Stringham.
Quorum met with all five current members present.
Joan McAndrew updated the finance Budget report. She reported additional book sale revenue, but did not have exact figures to update the West Bridgewater Museum donation account. The Commission agreed to table the Museum account status until the next meeting. Joan then reported the Drury Bell Donation account remains at $0.00 and the Operating Budget remains at $450.00.
Tom McAndrew distributed copies of the minutes of the December 7, 2009 meeting. After several minutes review time, Jim Benson moved to accept the minutes as is, Joan McAndrew seconded and the December 7, 2009 minutes were accepted on unanimous vote.
Bob Bevis reported correspondence received in the form of newsletters from two organizations. One from the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions and the other from the Trust for Public Land.
The Commission then moved on to cover old business as listed in the meeting agenda.
Bob Bevis reported that Scott Cray finally got back to him regarding videotaping of the Town Clerks. Scott apologized and explained he had been tied up with school Christmas activities. Unfortunately Bob reported that Marion Leonard has left for Florida for the winter and taping will have to be postponed until Spring. Bob agreed to invite Scott via e-mal to a future meeting.
Bob admitted that with the holidays, he have been remiss in contacting The West Bridgewater Scoutmaster regarding possible Drury Bell repair as an Eagle Scout project. He said he will re-contact him now that the holidays are over.
At this point, Building Inspector Paul Stringham arrived. After introductions, Bob suspended the order of the agenda items in order to address items that might pertain to Paul’s expertise in order not to take too much of Paul’s time.
Bob thanked Paul for coming and turned to floor over to him. Paul thanked the Commission for the invitation and explained he was sorry he could not attend the December 7th meeting due to family concerns.
Paul then addressed the Commission at some length on items on the agenda as well as other items that he thought the Commission would be interested in.
Regarding the damage to the Fire Barn/Museum building, Paul reported the Town has a $5,000.00 deductible insurance policy on the building. He reported that someone repaired the door to the extent that allows for access. He also estimated that repairs to rebuild the door to the old style would be around $2,500.00, and suggested it could be a good Vocational School project. As an alternative the Commission could try to get a line item on next year’s budget. Finally on the barn/museum Paul said he could get help from the DPW staff to finish cleaning out the building.
Regarding Drury Bell repair, in response to Bob Bevis’ question on permits, Paul explained that if repairs were done by volunteers and the Board of Selectmen endorse, then no permits would be required. If an outside contractor(s) were involved the repairs would require permits.
Paul then went on to address the situation of various homes in town. First he reported no change in the status of the house at 625 South Elm Street. The owner has failed to return Paul’s calls.
Next Paul reported on the circa 1850 house on Howard Street across from the O.B.H.S. building. Paul is concerned that the house has been unoccupied for five years and is currently unlocked and open to vagrants. Anne Marie asked Paul the status of the building regarding any zoning restrictions. Paul responded the owner wanted to convert the building into 4-unit townhouses, but zoning allowed only 2-units. Paul then said there is a possibility of citing the owner for keeping an unfit building. Paul then went on to report on two old buildings at 392 and 329 Pleasant Street that he thought the Commission might be interested in,
Finally, Paul said he would support establishing a Local Historic District in the River/Howard Street area, In that regards Bob Bevis said that a meeting would be held in Easton in the near future about how to establish Historic Districts, and that he hoped to attend. Tom and Joan McAndrew, as well as Jim Benson all said they would try to attend.
Bob Bevis thanked Paul for attending the meeting and sharing his expertise with the Commission.
Bob then returned to the agenda to cover issues not address by Paul.
Bob reported no change in the status of historic property inventory update.
Jim Benson reported that only about 30 books are left to be sold. Jim also said that the West Bridgewater Fire Department will celebrate its 100th anniversary in August, 2010 and suggested the Commission might consider purchasing additional books for this event. The Commission agreed not to purchase any additional books at this time, but to reconsider at a later day for the West Bridgewater Fire Department event.
Joan McAndrew reported no change regarding C.P.A. update, but reminded everyone of the upcoming Public Hearing regarding using C.P.A. funds for the Anderson Farm Agricultural Preservation Project to be held on January 12, 2010.
Bob Bevis reported he is continuing to work on signage issues. He said he is also considering a sign for the Drury Bell and verbiage to be used on cemetery signs.
Under new business Bob again reminded everyone of the C.P.A. public hearing and the upcoming Special Town Meeting to be held January 25, 2010.
The Commission then addressed the final item on the agenda, Commission reorganization.
Anne Marie Sheedy nominated Jim Benson for Commission Chairman, Joan McAndrew seconded and the motion was approved unanimously.
Joan McAndrew nominated Tom McAndrew for Clerk, seconded and approved unanimously.
Bob Bevis nominated Joan McAndrew for Treasurer, seconded by Jim Benson and approved unanimously.
Jim Benson nominated Bob Bevis for Vice Chairman, seconded and approved unanimously.
The Commission agreed the next meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 1, 2010.
Meeting adjourned at 10:15 P.M.
Respectfully submitted by Tom McAndrew
| 
