2003-07-29
CITY OF BEVERLY
Public Meeting Minutes
BOARD: Historic District Commission
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE: July 29, 2003
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: William Finch, Matt Lewis, James Younger,
John Condon & John Frates
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Leah Zambernardi
RECORDER: Diane Presutti
The Historic District Commission meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
Mr. Younger, the Co-Chairman, begins the meeting in Mr. Finch’s absence.
1. Dennis & Kathleen Corbett - 38 Front Street/Certificate of Appropriateness
Mr. Corbett approached the Board asking for a COA to replace the front door and to
replace his front stairs. He states that he wishes to replace the door with a 6 panel door
with two bullseye glass lights for the upper two panels. The current door is a 6 panel
wood door. He states the door needs replacement because he can see through the cracks.
Mr. Finch arrives at 7:03 p.m. and recuses himself from the discussion. Mr. Finch is an
abutter to an abutter to Mr. Corbett’s property.
Mr. Corbett continues to explain the granite steps he wishes to install. The steps will have
an 8” riser and a 12” tread. They will be 66” wide.
Mr. Younger addresses the public for any comments for or against the Application for
COA.
There being none, Mr. Younger asks the Board for further questions or discussion.
Mr. Lewis asks Mr. Corbett if the existing stairs are concrete. Mr. Corbett states they are.
Mr. Frates asks if 8” riser is to code. Mr. Younger states it is.
Mr. Younger commends Mr. Corbett for following the HDC bylaws and for providing
accurate materials for the Board to view.
Mr. Lewis motions to grant a COA for a replacement front door and granite front stairs.
Mr. Frates seconds the motion. Motion carries 4-0.
Historic District Commission
Public Meeting Minutes - July 29, 2003
Page 2
2. Montserrat College of Art - 23 Essex Street/Certificate of Appropriateness
(continued from July 1, 2003 meeting)
Mr. Finch leads the discussion by commending the Montserrat College attendees for
working with the HDC for a solution. He also states that both dimensions of windows
shrink. The difference is 3/16”. He questions the dimension of the muntins they will use.
The Board finds that the structure is a large-scale masonry institutional building with a
large number of windows (about 120 – many of which have diminished visual and
physical integrity due to past replacement of glass with plexiglass, poorly detailed storm
windows with fogged plexiglass, and severe lack of maintenance over an extended period
by previous users), and is substantially set back from the street. The substitution of the
original windows with aluminum windows with the specified muntin structure is
acceptable in this specific case.
The large institutional scale of the building and its substantial distance from the street
(particularly its primary façade) is such that the replacement windows approved herein
will not detract significantly from the historic appearance of the building.
Mr. Condon motions to grant a COA for replacement windows per the shop drawings
submitted tonight. The replacement windows shall be the EFCO brand, aluminum, single
light, double-hung windows. The muntin structure shall be 6 over 6 with interior and
exterior applied muntins and an internal spacer set in a single, double-glazed pane.
Motion seconded by Mr. Younger. Motion carries 5-0.
Mr. Beauvais asks the Board to address the possibility of bricking up the basement
windows which were discussed during the July 1, 2003 meeting.
Mr. Finch asks how many windows would this involve.
Mr. Beauvais states 8 or 9 windows, 4 in the front, 4 on Essex Street, 3 or 4 in rear.
Mr. Younger states that the Board is more concerned with the windows seen from the
street side. He also asks if the windows that need bricking up are already covered with
plywood for darkness.
Mr. Beauvais states that only the rooms that need darkness will be bricked up.
Mr. Condon questions the air circulation if such a thing is done.
Mr. Beauvais states that there is 100% air exchange in the rooms. He also states that the
vent system is site specific.
Mr. Frates states that if the Board accepts this, then the Board would want the bricks to
match the existing bricks on the building.
Historic District Commission
Public Meeting Minutes - July 29, 2003
Page 3
Mr. Beauvais states he will provide a brick sample to the Board for approval if necessary.
He also states that the bricking up of the basement windows will make the building’s
appearance be better and that is their goal.
Mr. Younger asks Mr. Beauvais if he could use MDO plywood instead of the bricks to
eliminate stains if bricks need to be removed in the future.
Mr. Beauvais states that a bond breaker could be used. He also states he can use ½” brick
and push it back as far as possible.
Mr. Younger motions to grant a COA for using matching bricks and mortar to block up
basement windows. The new brick shall be set back as far as possible allowing minimal
space between the existing window jam and the brick, so as to maintain a profile of the
former window. A bond breaker shall be set between the new brick, the window jam,
and the existing brick so that the new brick may be removed with minimum disturbance
to the underlying historic fabric. The applicants shall match the new brick and mortar to
the adjacent existing brick and mortar to the best of their ability. Only windows that are
currently covered by plywood and have no underlying basement window may be
“bricked up.” Mr. Lewis seconds. The motion carries 5-0.
3. Approval of Minutes
Mr. Finch addresses the Board on the minutes of May 21, 2003. He asks the Board
members to review them.The Board reviews the minutes and Mr. Younger motions to
accept with several amendments. Seconded by Mr. Frates. Motion carries 5-0.
Mr. Finch asks for a motion to accept minutes of June 10, 2003 and July 1, 2003.
Mr. Younger motion to accept as submitted, seconded by Mr. Lewis. Motion carries 5-0.
4. Adjournment
Mr. Condon motions to adjourn at 8:05 p.m., seconded by Mr. Frates. Motion carries 5-0.