Meeting held Thursday, May 20th 2004, at the Town Hall, Planning Board Room

Attending were: Steven K Brady, Evelyn A Petrelli, Paul Tremblay and Margaret Morrissey

Excused: Edward Phillips.

Guests: Mac Mcentire, Brennan Cipro, Southbridge Evening News; Valerie Pontbriand and Gabriel McCarthy

Meeting was chaired by Margaret Morrissey

PRESENTATION
Claudia Allen, 14 Winthrop Street, Warren originally from Chestnut Street, Southbridge, presented the Commission with some post Civil War artifacts that were in her family.

• Grand Army of the Republic Sword with brass handle and engraving with Scabbard. Made by GW Simmons & Co. Boston, Mass. Sword blade measures 30" and including handle 36"
• US Socket Bayonet and Metal Scabbard with leather holster
• Photograph of the Southbridge Police Auxilary late 1950s

Ms Allen's grandfather: Peter E. Giroux of Elm Street owned the items. Ms Allen was the last Chairman of the GAR.

SIGN PERMIT
Sign permit was approved for Four Eyes Joke Shop Inc. Even though the lineal frontage measurement was not completed, the information is already on file with the Commission since the Facade Improvements presentation at the end of 2003 and was waived. Ms Pontbriand addressed the commission about her interest in maintaining the historic downtown.

Sign for Tradewinds formally approved formally.

CDGB Grant Application
An application for 51-53 Main Street was referred for discussion to the Commission by Anna Smith of the Economic Development Department.

The proposed renovation work at 51-53 Main St was discussed. As the area will soon be part of the Historic District and the houses themselves are historic, the commission advised that the least amount of change from the historical materials be made.

Our advice on the windows would be to scrape them to bare wood and repaint.

The Commission does not have any concern with the interior - only involved with exterior work that can be seen from a public way.

We would advise to NOT replace the entrance doors - the commission knows of two licensed and bonded locksmiths that may be able to make the keys:

• Pro Tech 508-949-1250 at 9 E. Main St. Webster
• The Lock-Out Locksmith 508-949-2542 or 800-812-7994 located at 8 Davis St., Webster.

(Members of the Commission have used both and been satisfied). New doors will not be as valuable as those that are already in place.

The advise on the porch is NOT to wrap but to restore.

BUDGET
A memo was received from the Town Accountant indicating that there is a remaining balance of $456.40 in the Commission's account. Members present agreed we should obtain a quotation for a display case that would be used to house the presentation sword and bayonet. Margaret has agreed to obtain. The remaining balance could be used to purchase frames for certificates and archival products for storing photographs.

RESTORATION
Favorable comments have been received from citizens relating to the presentation of the restored documents at the April council meeting. The documents are currently on display at the Jacob Edwards Library for viewing.

Members were pleased with the coverage received in the T&G article pertaining to the Council presentation and the interview conducted with the Director of the library and the Chairperson of the commission.

FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Memo from Cassandra Acly, Economic Development requesting the Commission to appoint two representatives to the Façade Improvement Program. Deferred for discussion at next meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

Margaret Morrissey,
Chairperson

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