SPRINGFIELD HISTORICAL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES

Thursday, August 17, 2017 at 6:30 PM in City Hall Room 310

Present: Commissioners Murphy, Nardi, Shultis, V. Walsh

I. ROLL CALL & PROCEDURES

II. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES

1) Meeting Minutes: July 20, 2017
BOARD VOTE
Voting for: Murphy, Nardi, Shultis, V. Walsh
Voting against: None
Abstaining: None

2) Meeting Minutes: August 3, 2017

BOARD VOTE
Voting for: Murphy, Nardi, Shultis, V. Walsh
Voting against: None
Abstaining: None

III. TABLED ITEMS

1) 173 Westminster Street: Reinstallation of front and side porches
PROPONENTS
No one was present to speak in favor of this petition.

OPPONENTS
No one was present to speak in opposition to this petition.

BOARD DISCUSSION
Commissioner Murphy made a motion, under the category of appropriateness, to approve
the rebuilding of porches to the front and side facades; seconded by Commissioner Shultis.

Commissioner Murphy suggested that the petitioner reapply due to their inability to appear
and the lack of sufficient information.

BOARD VOTE
Moved and seconded to allow a Certificate of Appropriateness for the rebuilding of porches
to the front and side facades.
Voting for: None
Voting against: Murphy, Nardi, Shultis, V. Walsh
Abstaining: None

IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS

1) 156 Mill Street: Replacement siding, wood to vinyl
PROPONENTS
Geno DeCaesar, of 44 Bither Street, Springfield, addressed the Commission. Mr. DeCaesar
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explained that he is a friend and neighbor of 156 Mill Street. He explained that the property
was a former nursing home. Then he explained that the property had four renovations, two
of which were major renovations that came in the 60’s and 70’s. He then explained that
they would like to strip the brick back and they already had begun on one corner.
Additionally, he explained that the trim and soffits would be a wood product; however, the
field/body would be vinyl. He stated that he had a quote from Kakely’s, which gave a cost
differential of approximately $28,000 between replacing the siding in kind versus replacing
with vinyl. Further, he stated there has been a number of patchwork that has occurred over
the years and because they are a non-profit church, they do not have a lot of disposable
money.

Commissioner Murphy stated that the application is very brief and he would like to know
what the application meant by severe water penetration, which Mr. DeCaesar replied that
there was water coming through underneath the windows, where there are clapboard shakes,
and those areas weren’t flashed properly.

Commissioner Murphy questioned if there is a quote to repair and replace the clapboard
shakes as they exist now, which Mr. DeCaesar replied the original shakes would cost
$11,700 to strip everything down to the sheathing, just for the front elevation; whereas the
vinyl would cost $4,200.

Commissioner Murphy questioned if the $11,700 quote was to strip the whole building,
which Mr. DeCaesar replied that the quote was for the replacement of cedar shakes on one
wall.

Commissioner Murphy questioned if that was all they are looking to replace, which Mr.
DeCaesar replied they want to vinyl side the whole building but maintain the wood trim.

Commissioner Murphy questioned what is there now, which Mr. DeCaesar replied rotted
plywood.

Commissioner Murphy questioned what they would replace the plywood with, which Mr.
DeCaesar responded with new trim wood.

Commissioner Murphy stated that cedar shakes seems to be what is original on the structure,
then he questioned if the petitioner had researched a vinyl product with a wood look, which
Mr. DeCaesar responded that the products he found weren’t attractive at all and looked
cheap.

Commissioner Murphy stated that he does not believe all the shakes have failed but only
sections needed to be replaced, which Mr. DeCaesar confirmed was true.

Commissioner Murphy stated that the petition concerns him because they just denied
someone further down the street from installing vinyl siding; therefore, the petition needs a
good justification if they were to allow them to replace with vinyl over another structure.
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Commissioner Murphy questioned if they were taking the paint off of the brick, which Mr.
DeCaesar confirmed they would be.

Commissioner Murphy questioned what color the vinyl would be, which Mr. DeCaesar
responded white, as that color is universal to churches.

Commissioner Nardi questioned how the petitioner would stop the edge of the vinyl once it
reaches the wood trim, which Mr. DeCaesar responded they would put the siding behind the
trim.

Commissioner Murphy stated that the unfortunate thing about putting clapboard siding up,
versus shingles, is that shingles wrap the building so there are no corner boards, whereas the
clapboard siding would be changing how that looks.

Commissioner Murphy questioned if it is part of the plan to install vinyl on the dormers as
well, which Mr. DeCaesar confirmed that was indeed the plan.

OPPONENTS
No one was present to speak in opposition to this petition.

BOARD DISCUSSION
Commissioner Murphy made a motion, under the category of hardship, to approve the
installation of vinyl siding; seconded by Commissioner Shultis.

Commissioner Nardi questioned if it is possible in the cornice to take two j-molds and then
attach a one inch by one inch solid vinyl piece just to fill the joint so that it almost looks like
a forty-five degree of clapboard, without a corner vinyl post, which Mr. DeCaesar replied
that he has a hard time imagining what he is picturing; however, he stated he will wrap
around with hacksaw paper with a minimum of three quarter stock building it out with the
siding behind.

Commissioner Nardi commented that if you sandblast the exterior brick, unless it’s done
very lightly and carefully, you chance ruining the fired finish of the brick and it becomes
porous, which Mr. DeCaesar added that he has used three different sandblasts already and
found that using the setting 001 to be the most effective.

Mr. DeCaesar stated that he has done work on prominent buildings on the corner of Main
and Union Streets, which Commissioner Murphy explained that those buildings are not
historic and the petitioner should not go overboard with this particular building.

Commissioner Murphy questioned the timetable on the work to be performed, which Mr.
DeCaesar responded that they will begin work at the end of this month and they hope to
have the building water-tight before winter.

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 BOARD VOTE
Moved and seconded to allow a Certificate of Hardship for the installation of vinyl siding.
Voting for: Murphy, Nardi, Shultis, V. Walsh
Voting against: None
Abstaining: None

V. PRESERVATION OF HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT BUILDINGS

1) 187-189 Hancock Street: Demolition of fire damaged structure.
PROPONENTS
Johnathan Murphy, of 189 Hancock Street, Springfield, addressed the Commission. Mr.
Murphy explained that his property was damaged by a fire set at an adjacent property to the
left. He added that it was the work of an arsonist with mental health issues who set several
fires across the City in one day.

Commissioner Shultis questioned what the cost would be to rehabilitate the building, which
Mr. Murphy responded by questioning if he is required to rehabilitate the structure because
he could just simply wait the nine month demolition delay period out. Commissioner
Shultis countered that this is only a standard question by the Commission as they weigh their
ultimate decision.

Commission V. Walsh commented that buildings of a variety of conditions, good and bad,
have been allowed a waiver. He added that there are even a couple of examples of
structures being moved; however, he understands that this particular structure may not fit
into that category, due to its current state, but that is what this process is about, finding
another solution, other than tearing down a building.

Commissioner Shultis questioned the petitioner if he has another reasonable solution other
than demolition, which Mr. Murphy replied he did not have any other solution and probably
would not rebuild there as he has quite a few other properties to manage in the City;
however, once demolished, he would either deed the property to his neighbors or potentially
donate the property to a non-profit to manage as a community garden.

Commissioner Murphy stated that he checked MACRIS and this particular property has not
been surveyed.

OPPONENTS
No one was present to speak in opposition to this petition.

BOARD DISCUSSION
Commissioner Murphy made a motion to approve the waiver of the 9-month demolition
delay period; seconded by Commissioner Shultis.

BOARD VOTE
Moved and seconded to allow the waiver of the 9-month demolition delay period.
Voting for: Murphy, Nardi, Shultis, V. Walsh
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 Voting against: None
Abstaining: None

VI. OTHER MATTERS PROPERLY BEFORE THE COMMISSION

1) Project Update: Enrique & Betsy Santos, of 147 Magnolia Terrace, Springfield, gave
an update on the status of the remediation of unapproved replacement windows. Mrs.
Santos stated that they have been working with a lawyer and their attorney has contacted
Window World. Mrs. Santos further explained that they came to an agreement that
Window World would replace all the windows, previously installed without approvals.
Further, Window World would obtain all proper permits and there would be no
additional costs to the homeowners. She then stated that there would soon be an
application submitted by Window World to the Historical Commission.
2) 367 Hancock Street (Former Elias Brookings School): Commissioner Murphy stated
that the information before them was submitted for the purposes of gaining a letter of
support; however, he is not sure why they are not present. Following deliberation, the
Commission decided they would approve a letter of support; however, they want the
property owners to appear before the Commission for a project update. Commissioner
Murphy made a motion to send a letter of support for tax credits; seconded by
Commissioner Shultis.

Voting for: Murphy, Nardi, Shultis, V. Walsh

Voting against: None
Abstaining: None

Commissioner Murphy made a motion to send a letter of support for national register
nomination; seconded by Commissioner Shultis.

Voting for: Murphy, Nardi, Shultis, V. Walsh

Voting against: None
Abstaining: None

3) Upcoming Municipal Auction: Commissioner Murphy suggested sending a letter

asking that a preservation restriction be placed on 41 Florida Street. Further, he
suggested 26-28 Terrence Street be surveyed.
4) Certified Local Government: No discussion occurred.
5) Community Outreach: No discussion occurred.
6) Outdoor Mechanical Equipment Guidelines: No discussion occurred.
7) New guidelines: No discussion occurred.
8) Preservation Restrictions: No discussion occurred.
9) Noncompliance: No discussion occurred.
10) MGM Springfield: The Commission deliberated and decided to send MGM Springfield
a letter to ask for a project update.
11) Public Speak Out: No discussion occurred.

Meeting was adjourned.

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x_______________________________________ __________________________
Vincent Walsh, Chairman Date