The most significant topic of the meeting was the approval of a determination of applicability for repairs on Massachusetts Avenue due to structural issues with its front porch. The homeowner intended to use materials that matched the original construction and adhered to historical photos of the property. The chair highlighted that the primary supports of the porch had failed, necessitating immediate action to prop up the roof. The motion to approve these repairs was seconded and passed after a discussion on maintaining the historic integrity of the property, which was built in 1938. The committee noted that the current concrete steps and railings were not original.

Another topic was the notification letter regarding proposed bylaws for property owners in the Architectural Preservation District. The chair sought input on the letter and the timing of its distribution. A commission member mentioned that the bylaws might not need changes but could benefit from clarification. The timing of the notification was debated, with a preference to delay sending it until after the upcoming town meeting in November. Despite some disagreements, a motion to send out the notification letter was made and seconded, passing with a majority vote. Detailed discussions ensued about the logistics of mailing the notification, including obtaining a list of property owners and managing postage costs. The chair committed to keeping the commission updated on this process.

The preservation of the Brooks house was also a key topic. A commission member proposed drafting a simple warrant article to instruct the select board to arrange the sale of the property and its associated parking. This proposal aimed to streamline the process and ensure the Brooks house and its adjacent land were properly managed. The commission referenced their previous involvement with the sale of another property, the Jones house, as a model for this situation. Covenants ensuring new owners met preservation standards were discussed as a framework for future transactions.

Concerns about the deteriorating condition of the Brooks house were raised, with participants emphasizing the urgency to act. One noted that the house’s condition was worsening, and exterior stairs had been banned due to safety issues. Additionally, the necessity for more parking spaces, particularly for school and athletic events, was highlighted. It was mentioned that there had previously been a driveway on the property, and there were still ways to capture more parking space despite current limitations.

The commission voted unanimously to authorize one member to communicate with the Town Council regarding the best approach to execute their intentions about the Brooks house. Updates were provided on various properties, including 763 Mass Ave, where the developer had not provided new information due to other projects in town. The funeral home project faced delays due to a lack of communication from the developer with the historical commission regarding necessary reports.

Ongoing town projects were also discussed, including bids for a park and roof replacements at the Adult Activity Center. Concerns were raised about the inactivity concerning the town hall repair projects, with a participant expressing collective concern and the need for a revised estimate to move forward.

Discussions on the property on Main Street revealed that the owners were planning to reach out to a contact to discuss their future plans. The conversation also touched on the potential merging of the historical commission and the architectural preservation district commission, with concerns about the differing bylaws and legal frameworks. Participants emphasized the need for clear communication with the Town Council and recognized that scheduling conflicts might delay immediate discussions.