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BHC 01 18 22 MINUTES Draft Minutes DRAFT MINUTES Barnstable Historical Commission This meeting was held by remote participation via Zoom Meetings January 18, 2022 @ 3:00 PM Nancy Clark, Chair Present Nancy Shoemaker, Vice Chair Absent Marilyn Fifield, Clerk Present George Jessop Absent Cheryl Powell Present Frances Park Present Jack Kay, Alternate Present Jessica Rapp Grassetti, Town Council Liaison Present Kate Maldonado, Planning & Development Staff Present Grayce Rogers, Planning & Development Staff Present Chair Nancy Clark called the meeting to order at 3:00 pm Acting under the provisions of the Code of the Town of Barnstable, ss 112-1 through 112-7, the Historical Commission held a Public Hearing on the following applications previously determined significant and referred to Public Hearing: CONTINUED APPLICATIONS Zhang, Ying & Wang, Yingli, 401 Ocean Street, Hyannis, Map 325, Parcel 010/000, built 1915. Full Demolition: Existing multi-family residence and accessory building. Represented by: Kevin Werner and Ying Zhang & Yingli Wang Public Comment: There was no public comment Discussion: Kevin Werner reviewed the original application, the additional supplemental materials and the requested structural report. He reported that the floors have started buckling three to four inches out of level as illustrated in submitted pictures. Commissioner questioned whether or not the building was safe. Werner replied that the building was not safe, with no support to the front walls of the house. Commissioner Kay asked whether or not the building department has been involved in the structural safety of the building. The Wangs commented that the building is unsafe due to excessive shaking of the structure, and the owners moved out in December of 2021. They sought the advice of a structural engineer (report submitted for the record) about their options: whether to rehabilitate or demolish the structure. Draft Minutes Motion I Commissioner Powell moved that, after review and consideration of public testimony, the application, and associated materials, the Significant Building at 401 Ocean Street, Hyannis is a Preferably-preserved Significant Building. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Parks. Vote: Aye: 0 Nay: Powell, Parks, Fifield, Kay, Clark Abstain: 0 Motion II It was then moved and seconded that, in accordance with Section 112-3(F), the Barnstable Historical Commission determines that the full demolition of the building located at 401 Ocean Street, Hyannis, is not detrimental to the historical, cultural, and architectural heritage or resources of the Town. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Parks. Vote: Aye: Powell, Fifield, Parks, Kay, Clark Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 OTHER Advertisement of Preservation Awards Discussion: It was agreed that the Preservation Awards will be advertised on the Historical Commission webpage as well as the Town E-news and in flyers posted in public spaces around the community, with flyers to be emailed to the village historical societies, as well. Update: Cotuit Form Bs Discussion: Administrative Assistant Rogers estimated that there are about 300 Form B’s, adding that she has reviewed and annotated about 80 forms as a long-term work in progress. Update: Trayser Artifacts Discussion: Planning and Development Director Jenkins reported that efforts are being made to identify the owners of the artifacts and to distribute the remaining artifacts to local historical societies and museums for the benefit of the community. She said she has spoken to Assets Management Director David Anthony and Town Clerk Ann Quirk to understand the disposition process, and she recommended designation of a Historical Commissioner to be a part of the evaluation process. She said there is a goal to work with a historic preservation consultant to formally catalog the artifacts stored in the attic at 200 Main Street. Draft Minutes Commissioner Parks noted that there are artifacts that are fragile, and they are not stored in a temperature-controlled environment. Commissioner Powell suggested that a time be arranged for the Commission to conduct a site visit at the 200 Main Street attic to review the artifacts. Public Comment: Bob Frazee commented that he was a Historical Commissioner back in the 1980s when the Trayser Museum was operating as a Town museum, and he was appointed to be a part of the management committee for the museum. He said he was not involved in the making of the catalog, but he volunteered to be a resource if staff or the Commissioners need him. He suggested checking with the local libraries, as they were involved with the artifacts. Cotuit Federated Church Application Review for Historical Significance Discussion: Chair Clark read into the record a letter from Victoria V. Harris, president of the Historical Society of Santuit- Cotuit, that outlined the historical significance of the Cotuit Federated Church. Pastor Angela M. Ballou gave a presentation about the history of the Cotuit Federated Church, as the church organization is looking for a designation from the Commission that the structure is historically significant in order to qualify for Community Preservation funds. She reminded that the Historical Commission reviewed and approved plans for the structure that dates back to 1846 on August 17, 2021. She said that sea captains and local residents wanted to establish a place of worship, and the organization was formed by Baptists, Methodists, and Congregationalists who first worshiped in the Union Meeting House. She noted that Jim Gould’s research found that this was the first Federated Church in America, and she presented a log containing the names of founding families. Pastor Ballou explained that there was a parting of ways between the Congregationalists and the Methodists in 1879, and in 1901, the Methodists secured land at the corner of School and High Streets (the current site of the present church) and the cornerstone was laid. In 1923, she continued, the Methodists and Congregationalists decided to rejoin in worship. Pastor Ballou said the building’s shingles previously had a tighter exposure than they do now, with plans adopted to return the shingling to the original style. She said that Boston Architect A.A. Diriam completely transformed the church’s exterior into Colonel Revival style, replacing the Queen Anne style, in 1941. Among the many significant people and families associated with the church, she named Congressman Charles Gifford and his brother Ezra Gifford as well as A. Lawrence Lowell who was a Harvard president. She also noted significant pastoral leadership, notably Reverend Charles Taylor, Amos Bruce, Walter Kraft, Ronald Wilson, and Elizabeth Endicott, reminding that Walter Kraft helped organize the beginning of the Cotuit Kettleers. Pastor Ballou recalled that the church’s bell served as the fire alarm for the Cotuit Chemical Company from 1912 to 1926, and the Tercentenary Celebration of the village of Cotuit started at the church in1939. She said the church serves the community, with many baptisms, weddings, and funerals occurring in the sanctuary even for people not affiliated with the church, while its Bruce Hall has been a venue for town meetings, gatherings, and celebrations. Further, she said, the church has been active in serving the community with food drives, parades, blood drives, and offering other services. Pastor Ballou reported that the historic windows will be returned to their original orientation, and the entry doors will remain in their original orientation, with a ramp installed to make the building accessible for all. Public Comment: Draft Minutes Kris Rebello commented that she is a decedent of the Dottridge family who values the historical significance of the building, and she said there has been tremendous amount of work put into the proposed plans to maintain the integrity of the church, with the front entrance returned to its original orientation facing School Street. Also, she noted, the dark stained-glass windows will be reoriented so that the natural light can illuminate them and make them more visible. Rich Wellner commented that his grandmother’s grandmother was married to a whaling captain there, and his brother found that there was a sewing circle in the 1940s, with his grandmother one of its 100th- anniversarygroup. Commissioner Powell moved to recognize the Cotuit Federated Church as historically significant and to support the Community Preservation Application. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Fifield. So voted: Aye: Fifield, Powell, Clark Nay: Parks Abstain: Kay Commissioner Fifield then reported on the Community Preservation Committee, noting a Letter of Intent filed for the Zion church in Hyannis that was voted to advance to submitting a full Application. There was discussion about the prospect for allowing private historic property to qualify for Community Preservation funding with Historic Preservation Restrictions, just as private property might qualify with Conservation Restrictions. Cape Cod Commission Roundtable Chair Clark reported that she attended a Cape Cod Commission Roundtable where there was discussion about elevating marginalized groups in history. Certified Local Government Chair Clark attended the Massachusetts Historical Commission workshop on earning Certified Local Government status. There was a discussion about creating a subcommittee to move forward with this initiative, with Frances Parks, Marilyn Fifield, and Cheryl Powell designated as the subcommittee. Demolition by Neglect There was discussion about following up with the Legal Dept. about the proposed demolition-by-neglect bylaw. APPROVAL OF MINUTES There were no minutes submitted for review. Next meetings: February 15, 2022 & March 15, 2022 With no further business before this Commission, a motion was duly made by Commissioner Powell and seconded by Commissioner Parks to adjourn the meeting. So voted: Aye: Fifield, Parks, Kay, Powell, Clalrk Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 Draft Minutes Respectfully Submitted, Grayce Rogers, Administrative Assistant Edited by Commission Clerk Marilyn Fifield