Worcester Historical Commission approves vinyl siding, window replacements, porch repairs and retroactive sign

The Worcester Historical Commission on July 10 approved four separate applications and accepted minutes from prior meetings, allowing vinyl shingles at 3 Decatur Street, replacement windows at 27 John Street tied to a lead-poisoning case, porch repairs and Trex decking at 70 Mulberry Street, and a retroactive sign replacement at Rob Roy Academy, 150 Pleasant Street.

Why it matters: the actions alter visible exterior materials in local historic districts and address an urgent housing-health remediation. The commission’s approvals include conditions aimed at retaining architectural trim and at raising safety components to code.

3 Decatur Street Cesar (the property owner) and contractor Rick Hubert sought permission to install vinyl shingle siding on the front façade and vinyl clapboard on the sides and rear. Michelle Johnstone, historical planner for city staff, presented example projects and said the commission had approved similar mixed-material treatments previously. The commission decided to require that the existing decorative brackets remain in place, that any rotten wood be replaced like‑for‑like and painted, and that a narrow aluminum overlay (or similar finish) be allowed on the vertical board under the gutters. Cesar told the commission, “Everything is fine. We keep the the woods just that we change the edge. We put aluminum and then make later we can install the new gutters.” The commission specifically deferred porch work to a later meeting; the applicant must return in August for porch approvals.

27 John Street Tim Hanson, program manager for the Housing Division’s lead‑paint program, said the house is the subject of a lead‑poisoning case and that the front windows tested positive for lead. Hanson said the front windows will be replaced to match existing profiles and grille patterns and may be wood, aluminum‑clad wood, or composite; side windows will use simulated divided‑lite units. He told the commission, “It is a lead poison case.” Commissioners approved a demo‑delay waiver to allow the window replacements and any necessary replacement of rotted wood.

70 Mulberry Street An applicant requested to replace porch flooring with Trex (composite) decking, remove non‑original enclosed windows on the rear porches (second and third floors), raise railings to meet code, and install vinyl siding on rear porches. The presenter noted existing porch floors and stairs were unsafe and showed photos of non‑original plywood over older boards. Commissioners approved the demo‑delay waiver with the condition that railing heights be raised to code and that the primary visible balustrade remain in place where feasible; the proposed metal safety railing attachment was discussed as an administratively approvable detail.

Rob Roy Academy (150 Pleasant Street) Owner Tracy Casey apologized for installing a new sign in the Crown Hill Local Historic District without prior approval and asked for a retroactive certificate of appropriateness. “I fully apologize,” Casey told the commission. Commissioners granted the retroactive certificate, finding the new panels acceptable for the district.

Votes at a glance (all motions approved) - 3 Decatur Street — demo‑delay waiver to allow vinyl shingles on the front, vinyl clapboard at sides/rear, keep brackets, replace rotted trim in kind and allow aluminum overlay under gutters; outcome: approved (roll call recorded: Santos Restivo — yes; Andre — yes; Thierman — yes; Gutierrez LaVotte — yes; Chair Long — yes; others recorded as yes). - 27 John Street — demo‑delay waiver to replace lead‑positive front windows to match existing (wood, aluminum‑clad, or composite allowed) and simulated divided lites on sides; outcome: approved (unanimous roll call). - 70 Mulberry Street — demo‑delay waiver to install Trex porch decking, remove non‑original rear porch windows, raise railings to code and install vinyl siding on rear porches; outcome: approved (unanimous roll call). - 150 Pleasant Street (Rob Roy Academy) — retroactive certificate of appropriateness for a sign panel change in the Crown Hill Local Historic District; outcome: approved (unanimous roll call). - Minutes — June 5 and June 26 minutes accepted as written; outcome: approved.

What the approvals require Commissioners and staff emphasized retaining original brackets and trim where possible, replacing rotten elements in kind and painting them, and returning to the commission for porch work at 3 Decatur. For the lead‑hazard window replacements at 27 John Street the commission approved materials that match existing sightlines and grille patterns; Tim Hanson said occupants will likely need to be relocated temporarily during work. For 70 Mulberry, the commission required railings be brought to code and accepted Trex decking and removal of non‑original enclosures on the rear porches.

Other business The commission reviewed invitations to comment on Section 106 review items (city and consultant invitations) and a state‑funded project at Quinsigamond State Park; commissioners took no substantive action on those items.

Next steps Applicants must meet the conditions recorded by the commission (retain brackets, in‑kind trim replacement, return for porch approvals where required) and follow administrative procedures for permitting and code compliance. The commission scheduled follow‑up for porch details at the August meeting for items that were deferred.