Mayor Alex B. Morse Historical Commission

City of Holyoke Office of Planning and Economic Development Marcos Marrero

Holyoke Historical Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2017

Attendance: Richard Ahlstrom, Christopher Gauthier, Olivia Mausel, Joe Paul, Frances Welson

Municipal Staff: Debbie Oppermann (OPED)

Absent: Paola Ferrario, Alexandra Puffer, James Sheehan

Associates present: Dan Fitzgerald, absent: Jean Jonker

Public in attendance: Victor Anop, Eric Taub, Rich Sadowski, Mike Sullivan, Rich Zawada, Mike Plaisance

1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 6:30.

2. Review of 1-19-17 Minutes: Olivia Mausel made a motion to accept the minutes as presented, motion seconded by Christopher Gauthier, vote to accept – unanimous

3. Update Roles – OPED involvement: Debbie Oppermann stated that Marcos Marrero, Director of OPED has determined that she will provide staff services to the Historical Commission and that she and Olivia Mausel and Joe Paul will continue to define their roles as the new organization of the commission unfolds. She said that Barbara Bou, an OPED administrative assistant will take minutes; distribute meeting material electronically, etc. She stated further that the role of the Commission is one of governance, policy and decision making, setting goals and direction etc. in matters of historic preservation and that the staff role was one of management of day to day operations.

Joe Paul stated that he’d like to meet with Olivia and Marcos to discuss the Commission’s direction.

4. 71 Maple Street – Mater Dolorosa Church: Olivia Mausel provided an overview of the demolition request made to the City on January 30, 2017. She has met with Damian Cote, the city’s Building Commissioner to review the request. She explained further that under the city’s Demolition Delay Ordinance, the city has 45 days in which to hold a public hearing to review applications for demolition to assess a building’s historical significance.

City Councilor at Large Mike Sulllivan asked if the Commission would accept public comment on the matter. Joe Paul explained that this was not a public hearing but that if the Commissioners were in agreement, then yes, public comment would be

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received. Frances Welson made a motion to accept public comment on this matter, Richard Ahlstrom seconded the motion and the motion was passed unanimously.

Mike Sullivan commented on the condition of the building as outlined in the Diocese’s (owner) reports and concluded that the report is seriously flawed.

Victor Anop, representing Friends of Mater Dolorosa, expressed concerns that the Commission knows “what’s what” with the situation there.

5. 94 Ely Street – Immaculate Conception Social Hall. There was some discussion of what exactly the building is used for. Joe Paul stated that the Commission needs to research the property. Olivia Mausel will provide the Commission with the demolition application.

The commission determined that it would proceed with a March 7, 2017 public hearing date pending the reservation of a venue large enough to hold the anticipated number of residents expected to attend. Two meeting spaces were discussed; the COA upstairs community room and the community room at the library. Once a location has been determined it will be posted as soon as possible on the city’s web site.

Both properties will be considered at that hearing with the 94 Ely Street property first on the agenda.

6. Preservation Plan Update next steps – Debbie Oppermann handed out a summary of the preservation plan that she provided to Marcos Marrero. She explained that although it might appear a bit long, the summary was a relatively brief overview of a fairly extensive report. She is expected to meet with Marcos this week to determine a timeline for taking it before the City Council.

7. Bylaws: Although the 1-7-2015 by-laws for the Historical Commission were placed on the agenda for discussion of revisions, it came to everyone’s attention that the version being reviewed was never adopted by the City Council. Debbie will seek guidance from the City Solicitor’s office about the best way to proceed. This led to a discussion on a new ordinance for the Historical Commission. The Commission was established using language directly from MGL Chapter 40: Section 8D. The consultant who recently prepared the updated Preservation Plan has recommended that the City adopt an ordinance specific to the Holyoke Historical Commission and not continue with the language from Chapter 40. If the Commission proceeds with that recommendation, it would make sense to rewrite the bylaws after the adoption of a new ordinance. Specific items discussed included: the need/or not for Associate members, the role of alternates, and election of officers including the timing of those elections.

8. New Business: a. Preservation Awards – Olivia Mausel mentioned that this is the time of year that the Commission considers to whom preservation awards will be given.

b. Interns – Frances Welson raised the following issues: how can the Commission begin to make headway on the inventory for the National Register, concern about more demolition by neglect, creating more historic districts etc. and wondered if/how

the Commission can get some intern assistance. Olivia Mausel reminded everyone of the UMASS interns that researched cemetery material over a semester. Olivia and Debbie will work together to contact the UMASS public history program to request more intern assistance. All acknowledged that the amount of work necessary to update Holyoke’s inventory will require more than just interns, hence the need to find grant money for the work. c. 73 Taylor Street – Debbie asked if the Commission would consider ending the demolition delay on this property given that there doesn’t seem to be any interest in redeveloping the property. Joe Paul said that he still has a few options that he hasn’t pursued and will be in contact with the owner to ascertain if there are any possibilities that the Commission may not know about. This led to a discussion about when/if a demolition delay order should be lifted prior to a 6 month delay expiring. Consensus among Commissioners was to use the full 6 months in order to find other options. d. St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Olivia asked if anyone has a vintage car so that Commissioners can ride in the parade this year. There is no cost to the Commission to be noted in the parade program book. e. City Auction – Debbie stated that she will find out when then next auction will occur and let the Commission know the date. She reminded the Commission that she regularly attends the Problem Properties group meetings.

9. Next Meeting: March 13, 2017

Meeting adjourned: motion made by Frances Welson to adjourn, seconded by Christopher Gauthier - unanimous vote at 7:35.

Respectfully submitted,

Debbie U. Oppermann Office of Planning & Economic Development