The Fall River Historic District Commission met on May 17, 2021, and approved meeting minutes from January 28, 2020, July 21, 2020, and October 20, 2020. Under new business, the commission heard a letter from resident Anna DaCosta of 491 High Street regarding her experience at a previous meeting, urging commissioners to adopt a more professional tone with applicants and suggesting the creation of a welcome packet for residents within the Chapter 40C historic district.
The commission reviewed and approved three separate roofing applications. Andrew Bockhorst of 527 Rock Street received approval to strip and re-shingle an upper, non-slate portion of his roof that was leaking into the third floor using slate-colored architectural shingles. Marco Beltran presented plans on behalf of 604 Rock Street to replace the entire damaged asphalt shingle roof with CertainTeed architectural shingles in Moire Black, which was approved. William and Margaret Maguire-O’Brien also received approval to replace the 1995 roof at 547 High Street with CertainTeed Landmark Pro shingles in Moire Black.
Commissioners also discussed the ongoing development of the Local Historic District Preservation Design Guidelines funded by the Community Preservation Committee. Consultant Dominique recently conducted a neighborhood walk-through and site survey. The commission highlighted the value of guidelines in educating property owners on architectural preservation and window restoration. Before adjourning, members agreed to consider compiling a resource list for district residents and to place an ongoing property concern on Prospect Street on the next agenda.
Topics discussed
- 1:00 · Approval of Past Meeting Minutes — approved
The commission considered and approved past minutes from three meetings dating back to 2020. - 2:44 · Letter Regarding Commission Decorum and District Outreach — approved
Resident Anna DaCosta submitted feedback concerning board conduct at a prior meeting and proposed a welcome packet and resource directory for Chapter 40C residents. - 4:35 · Resource Packet and Prospect Street Property
Commissioners discussed providing historic preservation resource information to homeowners and agreed to place a Prospect Street property on the next agenda. - 5:48 · Roof Replacement Application – 527 Rock Street — approved
Discussion and approval of an application to replace a damaged shingled portion of the roof with matching dark slate-colored architectural shingles. - 14:33 · Roof Replacement Application – 604 Rock Street — approved
Discussion and approval of full roof replacement using CertainTeed architectural shingles in Moire Black to repair leak damage. - 22:56 · Roof Replacement Application – 547 High Street — approved
Discussion and approval of CertainTeed Landmark Pro Moire Black shingles to replace an aging asphalt roof from 1995. - 28:47 · Historic District Design Guidelines Update — approved
Discussion regarding consultant Dominique’s neighborhood survey and the benefits of upcoming design guidelines for window preservation and architectural standards. - 40:31 · Adjourn the meeting — passed