Town of Becket - Historical Commission Minutes 8/6/08

Treasurer’s Report: Balance is $1,000.00. minus the cost of the two signs and calendar fees. Transfer of some funds to reimburse our Gift Account has not yet occurred.

1. Guest Sarah Frances has come before us to inform us of her plan to go before the Planning Board to request a permit to build a new wood shed. A variance will be requested due to its closeness to her property line. She chose to inform us due to its proximity to the Historic District. Motion made to approve her plan and sign off on her request was made by Jennifer, Aaron 2^nd. Motion passed unanimously.

2. New house signs, made by Signsmith in Chester, have arrived. Price will be $60.00. Old Town Hall sign seems to need another coat of paint on the back . Rob will do that. Cover tabs not included nor are the holes drilled to mount sign. It was suggested that we drill, and provide cover tabs before we turn over signs to buyers. Bill of $120.00 paid. Old Apothecary Shop sign has also arrived and has already been delivered to the owners.

3. Rob will meet with future people who wish to buy sign to authenticate their property origin date. They need to verify original date of building before a sign can be purchased.

1.Change age to 50 years, rather than 100 year old homes. 2. Include all buildings in town-not just Historic District homes. 3. Allow time frame of 12 months, not 6, to pursue decision on demolition of a building in order to possibly assist in saving the building.

7. All cemeteries’ inventories are completed. It has taken 12 years to complete these inventories. Rob, Barbara, and Harry have done the bulk of the work. Rita assisted also.

8. A child’s dress- given by Emily Mc Cormack (vintage-1870) to the Northampton Historic Museum and Education Center, has been given to us. It is stored in a map file drawer in acid free paper.

9. Becket Arts Center is pursuing the installation of an elevator. It may be placed on the front of this historic building. Discussion held regarding the appropriateness of its planned location. We all felt that a better location would be on the left side near the fire escape or the back of the building.

Rob will pursue legal ramifications. He has contacted the Attorney General’s office to find out whether this board has the right to insist on a different location. He received a return call on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2008, saying that we indeed have the right to insist on a different location.

10. Railroad ties have been donated by CSX Railroad Company, for the purpose of mounting the BECKET railroad station sign that was given to us by the Ballou family. (formerly of Becket) Rob will pursue permission to place the sign there with the Planning Board. At the start of this meeting, we attended the selectmen’s meeting to inform them of our plan and get their approval for placing the sign in Ballou Park in the village.