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HDC 4-24-24 Beverly Historic Districts Commission April 2, 2024 Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 3 CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD: Historic Districts Commission LOCATION: Beverly City Hall, 191 Cabot Street, 3rd Floor, Conference Room A DATE: April 24, 2024 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair William Finch, Vice Chair Suzanne LaMont, John Leahy, Wendy Pearl (phone) BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: OTHERS PRESENT: Associate Planner Jared Contrada, Todd Rotondo of 29 Kernwood Avenue RECORDER: Naomi Moca 1. Call to order Chair Finch opens the meeting at 5:03 p.m. 2. Todd Rotondo--Beverly's 400th Anniversary Discussion Todd Rotondo of 29 Kernwood Avenue is present and summarizes that Beverly 400-Plus is a nonprofit organization made up of 13 board members. Rotondo expresses gratitude to the Commission and says that the City was founded in 1626, the same year as Salem. The organization was legally finalized in October 2023 and held its first board meeting in January 2024. The organization is working closely with Salem and sharing some resources and events, such as inviting the Tall Ships to the area. Some of the signature events being planned are a reenactment of the Battle of the Hannah and Nautilus, an airshow, and concerts by the Cape Anne Symphony or the North Shore Philharmonic at Lynch Park, among others. The organization is made up of several committees such as merchandising, fundraising,volunteer database, and website, among others. LaMont asks whether there will be shared effort and resources with Beverly Main Streets for this event. Rotondo explains that while he also holds a position in Beverly Main Streets, the focus is also on leaving a legacy after the events end and the organization closes its operations. Rotondo refers to aspects of Beverly's History that are notable, such as its Native American history, the Revolutionary War, and the Industrial Revolution, among others. Finch asks if the organization is looking for volunteers, and Rotondo answers yes, and says that closer to the event there will be more public outreach for volunteers on the website. The site will be wVrA,.beverly400.org. Pearl asks whether projects with enduring value such as a historic walking tour or a historic markers program will last beyond the celebration. Rotondo says that while some of these things are already in existence in the City, the organization is looking into grant funding that may offer guidance. Rotondo says that the organization has researched what other municipalities, such as Gloucester, in the area have done for their 400-plus celebrations. Rotondo mentions both paid 1 Beverly Historic Districts Commission April 2, 2024 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 3 workers and volunteers, and government officials and non-government individuals, who are contributing their efforts. Finch describes a"museum in the streets"which entails a sign in front of a historic building with a historical picture of the building with a caption summarizing its history and says that it would help to highlight the history of Beverly. Rotondo says there will be a section of the website where suggestions can be submitted, and sourcing people to conduct research and funds to make legacy projects happen is the next step. Finch requests that Rotondo keep the Commission informed of the progress, and let the Commission know when the committees are open to adding volunteers. 3. Cabot/Rantoul Street Survey Contrada says that the project was underway when he joined the City staff and asks what the goal of the project is, in the Commission's opinion, in addition to having this portion of the City become a National Registered Historic Designation. Contrada reports that MHC has stopped responding to him and to Director of Planning and Development Darlene Wynne. The survey would encompass areas of Ward 2 and Ward 3. LaMont clarifies that the request was to conduct an inventory of Rantoul Street and Cabot Street to see if it even qualifies to apply for National Registered Historic Designation. Finch says that the Commission would like to hire a specialist to conduct the research. LaMont explains that the Commission desires to preserve and protect neighborhoods at risk of being encroached upon by spillover from commercial areas. Leahy says that the goal of the survey is not entirely defined because it partially depends on the results of the survey. Finch says that there was previously discussion about reducing the scope of the survey. LaMont says the application was for 450 properties and has been reduced to 150 properties. 5:38 p.m.: Pearl arrives. Contrada says that it appears that MHC has backed out of the survey. The extension expires in September 2024. Finch says that he will reach out to MHC member Peter Stott to ask about the status of the application. Pearl points out that the Commission may proceed with the application based on the reduced scope of the survey and see whether MHC responds. Pearl says that if the survey does not receive MHC permission or funding, the Commission could then approach the CPC to reduce its funding for a smaller project. The Commission discusses conducting a casual driving tour of the streets. Contrada asks what the criteria are for the scope of work and how that is decided, and Leahy says it depends on the end goal. The Commission discusses that the National Historical Registry designation does not offer significant advantages or protection. The Commission discusses how to determine whether a street or neighborhood is a high priority for the survey. The members review reaps and aerial photos of the area and discuss placing markers on houses of interest and discuss which streets to include. Contrada asks what the steps are before the May 23, 2024, meeting, and Pearl says that it may be to complete an amended 2 Beverly Historic Districts Commission April 2, 2024 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 3 application to the MHC and Leahy says it may be to preserve the $20,000. The Commission discusses that the first step would be to approach the CPC to see if the $20,000 funding is valid without the match and if yes, to conduct a smaller-scale inventory project. Contrada agrees to ask Wendy Frontiero how many properties can be done for$40,000. The members agree to start looking at Wallis Street virtually on Google Earth at the May 23, 2024 meeting. 4. Larcom Marquee Update Contrada shares the Larcom marquis concept drawings, and the Commission discusses that it cannot make a decision based on concept drawings only. The Commission discusses offering final comments on the concept drawings. Leahy expresses concern that the project might have been slowed by the Commission's requests. Finch comments that the renderings are schematic only. Contrada says shop drawings will be completed by May 10, 2024. LaMont clarifies that if needed, the CPC funding may be extended at the Larcom owner's request. Contrada says that the shop drawings need to be approved by the DRB. Contrada agrees to forward the shop drawings to the members once they are received. Pearl expresses concern that the budget that was approved was split between design and construction and the owners may need to be reminded of this fact. The members agree that the updated design is an improvement on the previous design. The Commission discusses the placement of the sign on the facade of the building and that its position should be included in the shop drawings. The members discuss potential dates for a special meeting on this matter, if needed, and tentatively agree on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. LaMont shares the budget breakdown of the CPC funding for the project. Contrada agrees to ask the Larcom whether a structural engineering drawing will be included to show the placement and connection to the building. 5. New/Other Business a. Relevant Staff updates, if any The Commission discusses that there are three vacant Commission positions. Adjournment LaMont: Motion to adjourn, Leahy seconds. The motion carves (4-0). Meeting adjourns at 6:45 p.m. The next meeting will be Thursday,May 23, 2024. 3