TOWN OF WINCHESTER MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION TOWN HALL WINCHESTER, MASSACHUSETTS 01890
Meeting Minutes Date/Room: August 1, 2018 Mystic Valley Room, Town Hall Members Present: Jack LeMenager (Chair), Jenny Adams, Janet Boswell, Jon Carlisle, John Clemson, and Michelle McCarthy Members Absent: Bruce Hickey
Also Present: Timothy O'Donnell 138 Forest Street Steve Meinelt 11 Dana Avenue Chris Nixon 130 Forest Street Michael Bower 16 Glenwood Avenue
A quorum being in attendance, the meeting was called to order at 7:35pm
Demolition Hearing: 138 Forest Street
John Clemson shared the history of the property by reading parts of the Form B prepared by Claire Dempsey.
The owner, Timothy O'Donnell, said his family moved into the home in 2013 and feels that demolishing the existing home and re-building a new home is more economical than buying a new home in Winchester. He has looked into building an addition to achieve the needed additional space, but feels it would be too expensive. He said he intends to maintain the existing setback (approximately 90 feet) and keep the total floor area under 5,000 square feet to avoid a site plan review. The builder, Steve Meinelt, feels the current home's function is obsolete for what the family needs. The owner feels that the new home would be more accommodative to his family and he anticipates starting the project in Spring 2019.
Jack LeMenager — Would like owner to consider an addition off the back of the house; the owner responded that he wants to utilize the land and there is a drop-off so would rather preserve the landscape and back lot, thus the new build would have a wider footprint.
John Clemson — Believes the purpose of the bylaw is to protect these types of homes and that the whole (the neighborhood) is better than the individual parts and this home is a one of collection of buildings that should be protected; feels the existing house could be expanded. Janet Boswell — If a house is determined to be historically significant but a demolition delay is not imposed, it's typically due to extenuating circumstances and this application doesn't include any of those so doesn't feel the delay can be lifted in this instance.
Jenny Adams — Sympathetic to the cramped living space but the characteristics of the design, setting, materials and charm of the home lend to the historical significance that is worth preserving.
Jon Carlisle — Also sympathetic to homeowner's needs.
Michelle McCarthy — Feels many small homes are being destroyed and it's changing the landscape of the Town; would love to see the home preserved.
Motion: That the Historical Commission determine that the property located at 138 Forest Street is a Historically Significant Building and that the Historical Commission will impose a twelve-month delay on issuance of the demolition permit on the property at 138 Forest Street. The motion was made by John Clemson and seconded. The motion was approved.
6 In Favor 0 Opposed Absent: Hickey
Hearing Closed at 8:15pm
ZBA Petition: 16 Glenwood Avenue
Homeowner would like to construct a living unit above the garage that would be wheelchair accessible to provide for his daughter's future use
John Clemson — stated this is not a historical house Jack — stated there is no impact on the historical resource
Motion: That the Historical Commission determine there is no effect on historical resources with the proposed changes to 16 Glenwood Avenue. The motion was made by Jack LeMenager and seconded. The motion was approved
6 In Favor 0 Opposed Absent: Hickey
Definition of substantial demolition
Jenny Adams found a state definition of demolition on the Mass.gov website that states: "Demolition, for the purposes of 310 CMR 7.15, means the wrecking or taking out of any load-supporting structural member of a facility together with any related handling operations or the intentional burning of any facility." John Clemson and Michelle McCarthy feel that this could be too inclusive and pertain to any beams taken out of an older home and Jon Carlisle feels this the same end result can be accomplished by asking the applicant to specify how many rooms they are planning to demolish. Michelle McCarthy suggested that the building permit application include a line item that asks the homeowner to specify how many rooms and how much square feet is to be demolished, and that the Commission set a limit that would be defined at "substantial demolition." John Clemson to draft revised language for consideration by other Commission members at the next meeting, Sept. 10.
Other Matters
Winchester School Committee Chair Chris Nixon provide an update:
• Carriage House: FY20 capital spending does not include the carriage house but the design and construction should be in FY21; the Carriage House is slated to be the future Admin building; he would like to have the School Committee and Winchester School Administration tour the Carriage House and invited the HC to join them • Parkhurst School: potential future use for early childhood education programs (Preschool) or rentable space by collaboratives • Lynch renovation: Mass. School Board will conduct a Sr. Study in October 2018 at Lynch and Winchester will learn in November 2018 if the school moves to a feasibility study, which would be followed by a Town vote to determine if a renovation moves forward
Next Meeting:
The next meeting will be held on September 10.
It was moved and seconded to adjourn at 9:32pm
Respectfully submitted,
Jenny Adams
Jack LeMenager, Chair Date Assessor's Number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number FORM B - BUILDING
1-20-0 Boston MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION North MASSACHUSETTS ARCHIVES BUILDING 220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD Town/City: Winchester BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125 Place: (neighborhood or village): Highlands
Address: 138 Forest Street
Historic Name: William Howard & Amelia K. Renfrew House Uses: Present: single-family residence
Original: single-family residence Date of Construction: 1926
Source: building permit
Style/Form: Colonial RevivaV center entry Dutch Colonial
Architect/Builder:
Exterior Material: Foundation: concrete block
Wall/Trim: wood shingles/ wood Locus Map North is up. Roof: asphalt
Outbuildings/Secondary Structures: none
Major Alterations (with dates): Rear addition, 1996
Condition: excellent
Moved: no Z yes El Date: Acreage: .707 acres
Setting: moderate-sized lot on an older road
Recorded by: Claire W. Dempsey Organization: Winchester Historical Commission Date (month /year): July 2018
12/12 Follow Massachusetts Historical Commission Survey Manual instructions for completing this form. INVENTORY FORM B CONTINUATION SHEET WINCHESTER 138 Forest Street
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No. 220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
❑ Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION:
The William Howard and America K. Renfrew house at 138 Forest Street is a well-preserved example of a variation of Dutch Colonial house, among the most popular Colonial Revival types of the period between the first and second world wars. In Dutch Colonial houses, a gambrel roof provides space for a nearly full second story, lit by wide shed-roofed dormers front and rear. In some cases this is a true gambrel, but more often the effect is achieved by an angled and pent roof applied to a simple rectangular box that simulates that arrangement, as in this example. This is a center-entry version of the type, with a plan that includes a center entry/stair-hall space, a living room on the left, indicated by the exterior brick chimney, and a dining room and kitchen on the right; this main block measures about 33 feet across the front and 22 feet deep. The façade includes paired windows on the first floor, composed of 6/1 sash, with two 6/1 sash in the shed dormer above, all flanked by louvered shutters. The entry, with a paneled and a screen door flanked by three-quarter sidelights, is covered by a gabled portico with an angled soffit, supported by Tuscan columns and reached from brick steps and landing. The other walls include primarily 6/1 sash with quartered and full fanlights in the gable ends, otherwise trimmed with simple architraves and eave treatments. There are two rear ells, one to the left rear that appears to be fenestrated like a sunroom (more commonly positioned as a side extension), with clusters of six-light casements. This space sits above the basement-level garage, which is exposed at the rear of the building because of the lot's downward slope. A second shallower rear ell represents a 1996 expansion of the kitchen, covered by a shed roof and including a secondary entry on its east side, with wood stairs to the lower level rear yard.
The house is set within a large lot that slopes down from the street, with a drive on the west side of the lot leading to the rear entry to the garage. The front yard includes flower borders, shade trees, and foundation plantings, with a path to the front yard accented by an arched arbor.
HISTORICAL NARRATIVE
The William Howard and Amelia K. Renfrew House is located in the northeastern section of Winchester, a part of town associated with members of the Richardson family since they settled there in the 17th century. Upper Washington Street was known as Richardson Row, and there and along the road to Stoneham (now Forest Street) members of that family resided well into the 20th century. This property is part of a small subdivision of land on the north side of Forest apparently acquired from one member of the family by Aaron C. Bell in 1868, according to the previous MHC form (Francis Richardson House, 128 Forest Street WNT.452, demolished ca. 2000); Bell resided at 128 Forest for many years. Bell (1834-1910) was variously described as a salesman, grocer, or grocery clerk in Boston early in life, but apparently also dealt in real estate; in the 1900s he and his son operated a real estate business from his Forest Street property that was founded in 1864 (see ad attached). The senior Bell also served as the town's tax collector. After his death, his children divided the property into four lots along Forest, perhaps acquiring adjacent land in advance. Two houses were added here, perhaps constructed by and/or for his children Annie Bell Park (1862-1928) and Clyde Park (1866-1958), at 132 Forest Street apparently before 1906 and at 130 Forest Street by 1929.1
In August of 1926 Annie and her husband John Park sold the final lot to William Howard and Amelia K. Renfrew. Renfrew applied in October for a building permit to build a single-family house with a garage in the basement. Their architect was J.A. Mooreshead of Boston, but little has been found about him (he is not listed in Withey, the AIA Dictionary of Architects, or MACRIS).2 Their mechanic was to be G. Fred Flower (1862-1948) of Norwood. Born in New Brunswick, Flower worked as a machinist or mechanic in a paper mill before reporting his occupation as house builder by 1930.
1 Ancestry.com: Find-a-grave; MA Death Record, US Census 1870, 1880, 1900; US Directories, Boston 1869, 1880; Winchester 1905, 1907, Woburn 1895. Earlier research on these other family properties suggested different dates, so additional research should be undertaken to clarify the sequence; see additional inventory forms for Winchester, Winchester Archival Center. MCRD: 4886:303, 304(1925), 3824:270 (1913). 2 On the handwritten building permit, the name appears to be Mooreshiad, typed as Mooreshead; Moorehead was also checked. 3 Ancestry.com: Find-a-grave, US Directories Norwood, US Census 1910, 1920, 1930. Continuation sheet I
INVENTORY FORM B CONTINUATION SHEET WINCHESTER 138 Forest Street
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No. 220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
Renfrew (1893-1982) was a jeweler, following a trade similar to that of his Scottish-immigrant father, who was a watchmaker. He had lived in Chelsea and Watertown, served in the American Field Ambulance Service and the French Army during World War I, and then returned to provide food relief in Bucharest, Rumania, as well as Serbia and Czechoslovakia. In 1924, he married Ludmilla Kinski (1900-1963), who had arrived from then Hungary, later Slovakia, in 1902; she was also known as Emelia or Amelia and later described her birthplace as Czechoslovakia. They lived on the Riverway in Boston at the time of her naturalization the next year and their purchase of this property two years later. Also known as Howard William, Renfrew was proprietor of a jewelry business in Boston, first at 80 Boylston Street, later at 110 Tremont. He served in the Navy in World War II. In 1942, perhaps due to his service, he sold the property to a third party who then sold it to Amelia in 1943. The Renfrew family lived at 138 Forest Street from the time it was constructed for them in 1926 until she sold it in 1963.4
The property was owned by ironworker Benedict F. Lanni (b. 1923) and his wife Elsie (b. 1922) from 1963 to 1986, and by marketer Jennifer J. (b. 1952) and manager Michael D. (b.1943) Regentz from 1986 to 2013, when the present owners purchased the property.'
BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES
Maps and atlases (chrono order): 1854 H.F. Walling Map of the Town of Winchester 1875 J.B. Beers & Co. Atlas of Middlesex County, Massachusetts 1886 A.F. Poole Co., [Bird's Eye View]. 1889 Geo. H. Walker Atlas of Middlesex County, Massachusetts 1898 Robbins & Enrich, [Bird's Eye View]. 1906 Geo. H. Walker Atlas of Middlesex County, Massachusetts 1916, 1921, 1929, 1929/50, Sanborn Fire Insurance Atlases.
Ancestry.com: see footnotes Chapman, Henry Smith. A History of Winchester. Volume One. Winchester: Town of Winchester,1936/1975. Middlesex County South Registry of Deeds (MCSRD), see footnotes. Stone, Bruce Winchester. A History of Winchester. Volume Two. Winchester: Town of Winchester, 1975. Winchester Historical Society. Winchester, Massachusetts: The Architectural Heritage of a Victorian Town. Winchester: Winchester Historical Society, 1988. Winchester List of Residents (Poll), see footnotes. , Building Department records, 138 Forest Street. , Engineering Department plot plans, 138 Forest Street. , Historical Commission inventory forms, 130 and 132 Forest Street (not MACRIS).
Ancestry.com: Find-a-grave; MA Death Index; US Directories: Boston 1922, 1933, 1942, Woburn, 1937; US Census 1910, 1920, 1940; US Naturalization Records; US Passport Applications, 1917, 1919; US Social Security Death Index; US World War II Draft Registration Cards. Winchester Poll Lists 1927-1930, 1935, 1940, 1945, 1951, 1955, 1960. Renfrew later removed to New Hampshire. MCSRD: 10295:557 (1963), 6667:16 (1943), 6667:15 (1942), 5013:42 (1926). 5 Winchester Poll Lists: 1965, 1970, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1990, 2010, 2015. MCSRD: 62232:113 (2013), 17668:303 (1986). Continuation sheet 2 INVENTORY FORM B CONTINUATION SHEET WINCHESTER 138 Forest Street
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No. 220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
N , 0 , , ‘ %,,,h,;tts0". H.G. 2804 t, .0 % 4 I % , 0.1400 1 k ' 070 \ isoo %-t:, \ 5 ,13;, , .,, li WOO p .41 rh5 1A0 0446 8 2 s T..', ,„....'"1 % 13 % N.O•ma 170° r`-'81 1906 Atlas detail of plate 28 showing two of the Bell properties on the north side of Forest Street prior to the reorganization of the lots and the construction of the subject property.
Continuation sheet 3 INVENTORY FORM B CONTINUATION SHEET WINCHESTER 138 Forest Street
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No. 220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125 1-1
Winchester A iHreetory _ 45 ESTABLISHED 1864 BELL'S REAL AARON C. BELL ESTATE CO • WINCHESTER, MASS. Insurance Solicited Real Estate Solicited TENEMENTS RENTED AND RENTS COLLECTED The beautiful, healthful suburb of the Athens of America The sphere of refineznent and per feet bliss. An hour's '4001 among her vales and hills, Calms troubled minds, and tempers all lire's ills. Charming residences and tracts of land at pleasing prices. Appraiser of real estate and personal property. Office and Residence, 128 Forest Street
Bell's advertisement in the directory of 1907.
LAIN .1111 )ji
E state oAaronf A C. B ell, plot plan of 191 3; subject parcel is the righ t-most lot above. Winchester Engineering Department, plan 2120.
Continuation sheet 4 Town of Winchester, Massachusetts - Winchester Historical Commission., n't n r' • '1 -...... ,-, Application for Demolition Peimit As specified in the Town of Winchester's Code of By-Laws, Chapter 14, "Preservation of zaismistotically JUL Significant- 3 A x:02 Buildings" i. (the "By-law"), all eligible buildings (generally, buildings built during or prior to 1940, on the National or State Registers of Historic Places and/or included in the Massachusetts Historical Commission's "Inventory of Historical and Archeological Assets of the Commonwealth") are subject to a review by the Winchester Historical Commission (the "Commission") for historical significance and may be subject to a public hearing to determine if the demolition of the significant building is detrimental to the American history, architecture, archeology, engineering and culture of Winchester. In accordance with the By-law, please complete the following information and submit with your Application for Demolition Permit to the Town of Winchester Building Department, Winchester Town Hall, Lower Level, 71 Mount Vernon Street, Winchester MA. 0189o. All correspondence via email from the Historical Commission to applicants requires a read receipt.
I. Property Address j 3e' FOIL e S -t- .rx le C f E- r-cg. 44 o Primary Contact 1 AA dri+ 11. Nt L.L. Email Address ;WY tj_ 4A---1 Address Phone # I ? - (eX29 Property Owner (if different) Email Address Address Phone # Architect / Contractor 5' eoc- (1 a 4— Email Addi-ess AddressO -) '' P • W1 I.)L6tA hone ti i TE2-7 8 3 Type of Building Being DemolishedN-U vt4,1k - 6 °3° Please check all that apply & note one application should be completed per structure.
LJ House Garage *F1 Shed. Li Non-Residential Other N. Date of Original Construction of Building: IA 33 Attach a copy of the original building permit, evidencing this date (this document is available front the Town of Winchester's Building Department; tax assessment records and/or other indicia evidencing the building's date of construction are also acceptable). Building . permits in the Town of Winchester were first used starting in mid-1920's when the Town began requiring permits for new construction and renovation. Failure to provide such permit, records and other evidence will likely result in this application being referred to the Comrhission for a full hearing rather than being reviewed more expeditiously.
V. Please provide a brief description of the Building and any other relevant information about the property (attach additional information as needed): N. re ? t le- v." L u N.1) ) N F t L f,__)> •
VII. Signature(S)
,Applicant J .D Date 3 i 7,0 1 2)4 Property Owner(s) ---rC.,..---- r;) -s) ...... eve__ Date 7 / 7 z.016 Property Owner(s) • Date April 14, 2417
*TOWN OF WINCHESTER BUILDING DEPARTMENT
APPLICATION FOR BUILDING PERMIT •
OWNER vit 6.n-el • 0 t. Domf4 4.-.. / /3 B Fottzsi- J17 Zo3i Name/address/phone
ARCH/ENGNR Name/address/phone CONTRACTOR S'reUE ,A4:6-INELT/ 6404 Ave I 78 - S5(0 - Coo30 Name/address/phone .
CONTRACTOR LIC# C. 0 3.53, 9 . HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTOR # C. 46 5 8
REG. LAND SURVEYOR Name/address/phone
SURVEYOR SIGNATURE
,•••• LOCATION OF BUILDING 1 3 8 t- I • DESCRIPTION OF WORK: . De. viikoLLs v. s 11,0 1A 4 14 0 ult.:.
ESTIMATED: COST: 2 L.)) Ca PROPOSE USE:
TYPE OfONSTRUCTION: TYPE OF FOUNDATION: DTMENS S: . Height: • Stories: Size:. x Area: Total Per Floor' SETBACK FROM PROPERTY LINES:
Front Yard. Rear Yard Left Side Right Side Lot # . Frontage Rear ' . Depth In accordance with Massachusetts State Building Code, the owner hereby applies for a permit to construct, alter, demolish, change occupancy or install or alter any equipment that is regulated by the Code. The applicant.agrees to conform to plans and specifications submitted with this application or to file any amendment or revisions with the building official. This application shall be deemed abandoned six months after the date of filing unless it has been diligently prosecut or a p it shall have been issued.
SIGNATURE OF OWNER/AGENT: DATE: 7 t z. ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT: . • Water: ( )yes ()no Sewer: ()yes ( )no Remarks: Public way: ( )yes ()no Approved Private way: ()yes ( )no
Date Lot Released: Street Number:
Approved by: DATE:
BOARD OF HEALTH*:
BUILDING PERMIt NO: DATE ISSUED:
PERMIT FEE: • APPROVED BY: . ZONING DISTRICT:
OVER 444 Plans and speollloaflOns must be submitted and approved by this tlepartment before a Penult for Filiation will be Granted Application for Permit to Build (1/4:‘,4-- j Winchester, 192 4 To the Commissioner of Buildings:
The undersigned hereby applies for a permit to build according to the provisions of the By-Laws and the following specifications:
1. Owner's name P(YVI -1-47-1:3 %.44,11- J 2. Owner's address ► -15r7A, 714-a,44 3. Architect's name
4. Mechanic's name
5. Mechanic's address I', e---4-0-e4 An1.441,500 t - - .....
G. Stone Mason's name 7. What is the location? No- 6g , 0, ).A.4/1- Street , ..(kv%v-4Aielre00 (/3 8. Distance to nearest building -0-0 9.• Distance from street -s" 10. Distance front lot lines, side, 7 3t Rear, /
11. State the number of buildings to be erected Kr
12. Is building ncw, addition, or alteration? 1,-e-e4A.)
13. What is the purpose of buildin? .i&v:c-Aty
14. Material of building Yk0-1,?-g-
15. If a dwelling, for how many families? 1•9*-Y!.44
16. Is there to be a store in lower story? /4-'1?
17. Size of building: No. of feet f ront,..s0.07.; No. of feet rear,...i:Y.Z/ No. of feet deep;:f 14 --
18. No. of stories 0-s_e, 1,404-4
19. No. of feet ire height from the level of the ground to the highest part of the roof ?
20. Size of ell - feet long; feet wide; - feet high.
21. What will be the means of access to the roof 1 22. Size of floor timbers; lst,..g.X ; ; 3rd, ; 4th, ; 6th, 2- 14"-'' 1 1440 jSpan, ; distance nn center, f 23. Dimensions of sills, '1X...... Girders, EPIC Girths, e-1 X (=?
24. Will the building be erected on solid or filled land? ,e4treLd
Will the foundations be laid on earth, rock, timber, or piles?...le- 4-1'C Height of foundation 26. 0(6;7..4- 26. What is the material of foundation?...... Thickness. at top.. a" Thickness at bottoni. IT 27. Will the roof be flat, pitched, mansard, or gambrel?
28. Will the building be heated by steam, furnace, stoves, or grates?
29. Will the building conform to the requirements of law? 4.4
30. No. of brick walls? ..... Where located' ts Thickness
31. Estimated cost? Signature of applicant _/tV-ti-rm-eieur
REMARKS Unofficial Property Record Card - Winchester, MA
General Property Data Parcel ID 1 20 0 Account Number Prior Parcel ID --
Property Owner O'DONNELL Property Location 138 FOREST ST TIMOTHY+JACQUELINE Property Use ONE FAM Mailing Address 138 FOREST ST Most Recent Sale Date 7/12/2013 Legal Reference 62232-113 City WINCHESTER Grantor REGENTZ JENNIFER J, Mailing State MA Zip 01890 Sale Price 705,000 ParcolZoning RDB Land Area 0.707 acres Current Property Assessment Xtra Features 0 Card 1 Value Building 353,200 Land Value 488,200 Total Value 841,400 Value Value Building Description Building Style COLONIAL Foundation Type BRK/STN Flooring Type HARDWOOD # of Living Units 1 Frame Type WOOD Basement Floor CONCRETE Year Built 1933 Roof Structure GAMBREL Heating Typo STEAM Building Grade AVG. (+) Roof Cover ASPHALT Heating Fuel GAS Building Condition Good Siding WOOD SHING Air Conditioning 0% Finished Area (SF) 1705.70001 Interior Walls PLASTER # of Bsmt Garages 1 Number Rooms 7 # of Bedrooms 3 # of Full Baths 1 # of 3/4 Baths 0 # of 1/2 Baths 1 # of Other Fixtures 1 Legal Description Narrative Description of Property This property contains 0.707 acres of land mainly classified as ONE FAM with a(n) COLONIAL style building, built about 1933 , having WOOD SHING exterior and ASPHALT roof cover, with 1 unit(s), 7 room(s), 3 bedroom(s), 1 bath(s), 1 half bath(s). Property Images
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Disclaimer: This information is believed to be correct but is subject to change and Is not warranteed.