The Fall River Historical Commission held its regular meeting on July 21st, chaired by Rick Mancini. The commission approved the minutes from their June 16th meeting. During citizen’s input, resident Jason Caminiti proposed that the former police station site at 158 Bedford Street, which is being demolished for $1.4 million, be converted into a memorial green for first responders. The commission voted unanimously to send a letter of support for this proposal to the Mayor’s office and the City Council. Commissioner Joyce Rodericks provided a comprehensive update on the 11-year effort to preserve the WPA-era Mann Murals in the old Bixby Tech building, noting the school department has committed $7,200 for a test run of high-resolution digital photography to create copies.
Under new business, the commission unanimously approved a letter of support for the Globe Mills redevelopment project, after hearing from consultant Michael LaFlash that construction is slated to begin in the fall. The commission also approved a proposal from homeowner Don Corriveau to restore the porch at his historic granite home at 690 County Street to its original 1897 single-story design, removing a deteriorated second-story addition. The approval was made contingent on the chairman’s review of final drawings. City Councilor Christopher M. Peckham, Sr. announced the successful coordination to move a significant 1659 stone marker from the Freeman’s Purchase, with plans to relocate it to the Fall River Historical Society for preservation and public display. The meeting concluded with status updates on several ongoing projects, including the Little Theater, Central and Anawan fire stations, the Bank Street Armory, and the expansion of the 40C historic district.
Topics discussed
- 0:40 · Roll Call and Opening
Chairman Rick Mancini opened the meeting, followed by a roll call of the commissioners present. - 0:47 · Commissioner Reappointments
The commission congratulated Commissioners Joyce Rodericks and Connie Soule on their reappointments. - 1:55 · Approval of June 16th Minutes
The commission unanimously approved the minutes from their previous meeting. - 1:59 · Approval of the minutes of June 16th. — passed
Approval of the minutes of June 16th. - 2:15 · 158 Bedford Street Property
Resident Jason Caminiti proposed turning the lot of the former police station at 158 Bedford Street into a memorial green for first responders. The commission voted to send a letter of support for the idea. - 2:40 · Extend the timeframe for citizen’s input speaker Jason Caminiti. — passed
Extend the timeframe for citizen’s input speaker Jason Caminiti. - 7:44 · To send a letter of support to the mayor’s office and city council endorsing the idea of making 158 Bedford Street a memorial green. — passed
To send a letter of support to the mayor’s office and city council endorsing the idea of making 158 Bedford Street a memorial green. - 8:22 · Demolition Notices
Letters of non-applicability for demolition were issued for 15 Robeson Street and the Diamond Vocational High School, as neither property is on a historic register. - 9:36 · Roger Williams University Correspondence
A letter from Michaela Laguina of Roger Williams University was discussed, highlighting the university’s ongoing partnership with the city on historic preservation projects. - 17:09 · Mann Murals Preservation
Commissioner Joyce Rodericks gave an update on the 11-year effort to save the WPA murals in the old Bixby Tech building, noting the school department has committed $7,200 for a digital imaging test. - 21:06 · Globe Mills Project
Michael LaFlash provided an update on the Globe Mills project, stating construction is on target to begin in the fall. The commission voted to issue a letter of support. - 23:19 · To provide a letter of support for the Globe Mills project. — passed
To provide a letter of support for the Globe Mills project. - 23:46 · 690 County Street Restoration
Owner Don Corriveau presented his plan to remove a deteriorated second-story porch and restore the front of his historic granite house to its original 1897 appearance. The project was approved pending chairman review of final drawings. - 41:33 · To approve the restoration project at 690 County Street, subject to the chairman’s approval of the final drawing and specifications. — approved
To approve the restoration project at 690 County Street, subject to the chairman’s approval of the final drawing and specifications. - 42:52 · 1659 Freeman’s Purchase Stone Marker
City Councilor Christopher Peckham discussed the historical significance of a stone marker from 1659 and announced plans to move it to the Historical Society for preservation. - 49:52 · Old Business Updates
The chairman gave brief updates on the status of the annual report, and progress on the Little Theater, Central Fire Station, Anawan Fire Station, Bank Street Armory, and the 40C historic district expansion. - 56:45 · Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:02 PM. - 56:45 · Motion to adjourn the meeting. — passed
Motion to adjourn the meeting.