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2006-04-24 CITY OF BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES Board: Historic District Commission Date: April 24, 2006 Members Present: William Finch, James Younger, Matthew Lewis John Condon, John Frates Members Absent: None Others Present: Leah Zambernardi, Robert Munroe, Paul Guanci, Miranda Gooding Recorder: Leah Zambernardi Mr. Finch calls the special meeting of the Historic District Commission (HDC) to order. He states that the Board is meeting tonight to enter an Executive Session meeting related to pending litigation. The Board takes a roll call vote to Enter Executive Session. Finch states that the Commission intends to reconvene the regular meeting after the conclusion of the Executive Session to discuss some new business. After taking a roll call vote to leave Executive Session, the Commission reconvenes after 1/2 hour. Finch calls the meeting of the Commission to order. He states there are two new business items he would like to discuss. He asks Younger to address the first. Younger states that Jim Troudeau, architect for the Cummings Center has indicated that they are applying for a preservation award from the Massachusetts Historical Commission in the adaptive reuse category for the Cummings Center. He states his opinion that the site is worthy of an award and notes that Troudeau has requested a letter of support from the Commission. Frates suggests giving the current administration opportunity to review any letter of support. Finch questions MHC criteria and whether this project would qualify. Younger makes a motion to send a letter of support from the HDC to MHC contingent upon review and approval of the letter by the current administration. If the Mayor is not able or chooses not to approve the letter, the HDC agrees not to send the letter. Seconded by Frates. Motion carries unanimously. Public Meeting Minutes - Beverly Historic District Commission April 24, 2006 Page 2 Finch then addresses the Board regarding the General Charles Greely Loring House on Hale Street, which was built in 1881 and designed by Emerson. He states that Landmark School is purchasing the property. They will be keeping the existing buildings, but constructing an athletic field house within the open space of the property. He states this is second hand knowledge however. He states that a woman named Lloyd owns the property. He states that a nearby property is also Emerson designed, but that its future seems to be secure. He states he would like to initiate the process of putting the whole property on the National Register of Historic Places (NR) by obtaining a determination of eligibility. He states he talked with Betsy Friedberg at MHC and she states that in order to do so a formal vote of the HDC is needed. If a vote is taken to do this, he will send the information out to MHC. Younger questions whether the property can be listed. Finch states that MHC will not proceed with a NR formal listing because the property is for sale and a potential buyer could object to its being listed. If 50% of the owners object to their property being listed on the NR, the entities in charge of listing the properties will not list it. They will only go so far as determining whether the property is eligible for listing. The Commission unanimously votes to allow Finch to pursue a determination of eligibility for listing these properties on the NR. Lewis motions to adjourn the meeting. Seconded you Condon. All in favor. Motion carries.