Sharon Historical Commission
And
Sharon Historic District Commission
Meeting Minutes for
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
In
attendance: Gordon H. Hughes, Chairman, Robert S. Young, Vice-Chairman
Members
- David A. Martin, Deborah G. Pitman, Shirley A. Schofield,
Alternates
- Marie E. Cuneo, Brent L. Gundlah, & W. Reese Schroeder
Meeting
was called to order at 7:30
pm.
- G.
Hughes met with Ben Puritz to discuss the 2006 Commission budget. Figures
were shown with level funding, and increase of 10% and a decrease of 5%.
No decisions were made nor recommendations to the Board of Selectmen.
- In
updating the Commission about the fate of 143 Pond Street, G. Huges
indicated that no demolition request was sent to us nor has there been any
contact with the owner/developer Joe DiScippio.
- A
reminder was sent to Joel Fishman, Esq., attorney for Herb Chambers Motors
and the new owner of the historic home on the Providence
Highway.
The six month demolition delay has expired, and we’d like the opportunity
to continue see if we can find some entity to take the home.
- G.
Hughes mentioned that we were waiting for the developer for Washington Place to stop by to
discuss her plans for development and desire to demolish properties on South Main Street – she never came.
- Selectman
David Grasfield stopped by to remind us about our sponsored Article on the
upcoming Town Warrant and that despite reporting by the Sharon Advocate to
the contrary, he had supported our measure to increase the demolition
delay by-law from 6 months to 12 months.
- R.
Young reported on the upcoming Town Meeting and indicated that he was
prepared to speak on behalf of the Commission. With regard to the Third
Historic District he indicated that an application was still in need of
filing with the Registry of Deeds. Marie suggested that we contact April
Forsman in the Town Engineer’s office for assistance.
- S.
Schofield reported that through the efforts of Borderland State Park, the Tisdale Cemetery was recently
placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- W.R.
Schroeder suggested that we consider putting together a plan for the town
to create a “village” with historic properties for various town uses.
After some discussion we agreed to take this up at a future time. Schroeder,
our representative to the Wilber Reutilization Committee reported that the
first meeting was held this week and that the Committee planned to meet
weekly to begin the lengthy process ahead. R. Young was to provide him
with research information on grants, gifts, and low interest loans
available for the Town with regard to the Wilber School project.
- Lou
Modestino, Jr. of 51
Hixson Farm Road
appeared before the Commission to show us a copy of a report he did
independently for the owners of the Hannah Leonard House in Sharon. He did an
extensive research that took him to the Probate Courts and Registries of
Deeds in Dedham and Boston and created a
valuable resource document. He let us know that he is available for hire
and that a complete analysis would cost in the vicinity of $400-$500. The
Commissioners thanked him for his time and information.
- Myron
Kaufman of 111 Pond Street {Amasa Dunbar House} made an appointment and
came to speak before the Commission about his being given notice to vacate
this property by the current owner, The Jewish Community Center of Sharon,
Inc. (also known as Temple Israel or TI). However, his remarks initially
were with concern for the property not his tenancy. “The Temple wants to knock the
house down (111
Pond Street)
for no reason, bulldoze it. The House Committee maintains the property
and they want less to be concerned with.” This was Mr. Kaufman’s opening
remark.
Mr. Kaufman offered several suggestions for
involvement by the Commission to act on his behalf. Upon each of those,
Commissioners advised Mr. Kaufman that any such action was outside our
authority and that in our opinion this was a private matter with his landlord.
It was suggested to him that he might want to seek advocacy as his route and
that perhaps the Sharon Housing Authority might be better able to advise him.
After more than an hour the Chairman thanked Mr.
Kaufman for his concerns and reminded him one last time that his tenancy was
not a matter for the Commission and that the Commission does not tell owners of
private property how to conduct their business.
No further business on the agenda, D. Martin
made a motion to dismiss. This was seconded by M. Cuneo and so moved.