3 Lanes End Framingham, Ma. www.CONTEXT-STUDIOS.com ph. 508_400_3284 9 December 2016 Memo re: Pleasant Street School, Spencer Massachusetts This office was asked to review the current condition of the Pleasant Street School located at 54 Pleasant street in the Town of Spencer and offer a recommendation as to whether the structure should be razed or renovated. A report from the Town of Spencer Facilities Maintenance & Repair Committee dated 2/26/2008 was provided and a brief field visit to confirm conditions was made by this office. The site is approximately 43, 560 square feet in area and is located within the VR – Village Residential district in terms of zoning, the property appears to be exempt from assessment. The building, first constructed in the 1880s, has not seen any significant renovations in recent history except for some roof work in 2006 and in fact has been unoccupied for several years. There is approximately 6, 800 gross square feet of space within the two and a half story former school. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (since 1996). It is also listed on the State’s historical commission’s register (1993). It is a fine example of a school in the late 19 th century as it employed designs of the time with a granite and brick façade. The school also had separate entrances for each of its student population, boys or girls which was customary for places of learning at that time. The front façade of the building with the separate entries for the students is the primary reason for inclusion on any register as the remainder of the facility is degraded beyond the point of salvage. The building, is currently in disrepair due to its age, lack of use and original design elements. The report generated in 2008 cited numerous deficiencies and recommended that “Repairing the building is not advisable”. At the time of that report all interior structural elements, finishes, toilet facilities and building systems required replacement – the condition has only exasperated over time. Additionally, the building does not contain any vertical transportation (elevator) to enable the entire structure to be accessible even if an approved route into the building could be achieved. Finally, the building would need complete re-design in terms of energy efficiencies including new insulation at walls and roof plane, new air leakage prevention methods and new building infrastructure such as electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems that meet todays codes for energy conservation. Any renovation could only consider maintaining a portion of the façade for historical significance, the remainder of the building would have to be completely reconstructed or even new in its entirety. 3 Lanes End Framingham, Ma. www.CONTEXT-STUDIOS.com ph. 508_400_3284 Conclusion It is the opinion of this office that absent a master plan or possible tenant that would include salvaging a portion of the front façade for historical significance or future re-use, it would be cost prohibitive to renovate or even continue to maintain this building without signicant funds or a benefactor. Any future re-use would need to consider a complete reconstruction of the building and the site, conforming to the current zoning requirements. Absent any immediate future plans for the building, we could only recommend that the building be razed to avoid ongoing costs and possible injury or loss of life as the building continues to deteriorate and fall into disrepair. Historical Considerations (removal from the Registry) Being on a registry enables a building or area to be eligible for possible grants or other funding for projects and it may afford some protection to that building or area from adverse effects of state or federal projects in the area. National Register designation does not require property owners to obtain permission or review of proposals to manage, maintain, or dispose of historic buildings, as long as federal funding or permits are not involved in the projects. The Massachusetts Historical Commission may have more involvement than the national register, again, depending on whether or not the project is being funded by federal or state authorities. If a project is planned to address the deficiencies is considered and it includes a plan to return the building to its original façade as best as possible, there may be funds available from federal or state sources to aid in a larger project. It is recommended that a historic preservation specialist be retained if a project is undertaken to possibly renovate and seek funds. Preservation Restrictions (MGL c. 184, ss. 31-33) may also affect any decision regarding a specific building. If any restrictions are placed on a property, those procedures stipulated in the deed restrictions must be followed. A copy of a deed entitled “Howland Pardon to Spencer Inhabitants” was provided by the Town and is the best-known copy of the deed for the property in questions. There does not appear to be any deed restrictions associated with this building. If the decision of the Town is to remove the building as it may not be feasible to retain, maintain and renovate the building’s deficiencies to a proper level, the process for removing a structure that is on a register can be a lengthy process if certain conditions are present such a federal or state funding. The first step to be undertaken will always be coordination with the local historical commission for a determination by them. If the direction to remove the structure is aligned with the local historical authority, it can proceed to the next level. If funding was received for a project, the project must go through the Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) for approval. If there is no funding provided by state or federal sources, the MHC need only be notified and they should issue a determination of no “adverse effect”. The Massachusetts Environmental Protection Act (MEPA) may also play a part and the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs must be notified unless there is found not to be an adverse effect by the MHC. Once a building is razed, only notification to amend a historic district need be sent to the national registry. End of Report 3 Lanes End Framingham, Ma. www.CONTEXT-STUDIOS.com ph. 508_400_3284 Attachment A: Floor Plans Please note that the following plans provided by the owner for reference only Basement Level - Not to scale 3 Lanes End Framingham, Ma. www.CONTEXT-STUDIOS.com ph. 508_400_3284 Attachment A: Floor Plans (continued) Please note that the following plans provided by the owner for reference only First Floor – not to scale 3 Lanes End Framingham, Ma. www.CONTEXT-STUDIOS.com ph. 508_400_3284 Attachment A: Floor Plans (continued) Please note that the following plans provided by the owner for reference only Second Floor – not to scale 3 Lanes End Framingham, Ma. www.CONTEXT-STUDIOS.com ph. 508_400_3284 Attachment B: MACRIS and National Register information Inventory No: SPE.263 Historic Name: Pleasant Street School Common Name: Spencer District #8 School Address: 54 Pleasant St City/Town: Spencer Village/Neighborhood: Spencer Local No: U-20-57 Year Constructed: 1883 Architect(s): Fuller and Delano Architectural Style(s): Victorian Eclectic Use(s): Public School Significance: Architecture; Community Planning; Education SPE.H: High - Lincoln Streets Area Area(s): SPE.R: Spencer Town Center Historic District Nat'l Register Individual Property (07/05/1996); Designation(s): Preservation Restriction (09/04/1997); Nat'l Register District (07/25/2003) Roof: Asphalt Shingle Building Materials(s): Wall: Brick; Granite; Wood; Stone, Cut Foundation: Granite The Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) has converted this paper record to digital format as part of ongoing projects to scan records of the Inventory of Historic Assets of the Commonwealth and National Register of Historic Places nominations for Massachusetts. Efforts are ongoing and not all inventory or National Register records related to this resource may be available in digital format at this time. The MACRIS database and scanned files are highly dynamic; new information is added daily and both database records and related scanned files may be updated as new information is incorporated into MHC files. Users should note that there may be a considerable lag time between the receipt of new or updated records by MHC and the appearance of related information in MACRIS. Users should also note that not all source materials for the MACRIS database are made available as scanned images. Users may consult the records, files and maps available in MHC's public research area at its offices at the State Archives Building, 220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, open M-F, 9-5. Users of this digital material acknowledge that they have read and understood the MACRIS Information and Disclaimer (http://mhc-macris.net/macrisdisclaimer.htm) Data available via the MACRIS web interface, and associated scanned files are for information purposes only. THE ACT OF CHECKING THIS DATABASE AND ASSOCIATED SCANNED FILES DOES NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LOCAL, STATE OR FEDERAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS. IF YOU ARE REPRESENTING A DEVELOPER AND/OR A PROPOSED PROJECT THAT WILL REQUIRE A PERMIT, LICENSE OR FUNDING FROM ANY STATE OR FEDERAL AGENCY YOU MUST SUBMIT A PROJECT NOTIFICATION FORM TO MHC FOR MHC'S REVIEW AND COMMENT. You can obtain a copy of a PNF through the MHC web site (www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc) under the subject heading "MHC Forms." Commonwealth of Massachusetts Massachusetts Historical Commission 220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, Massachusetts 02125 www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc This file was accessed on: Tuesday, October 4, 2016 at 11:28 AM RECEIVED FORM B-BUILDING Assessor's number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number m fl 1993 Massachusetts Historical Commission (_ t 263 :Jovlston Street d ASS.