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Fall River Historical Commission meeting: minutes approved, demolition notice cleared, local-district surveys continue
Summary
At its Oct. 21 meeting the commission approved minutes, tabled a September item, noted a demolition notice that did not trigger a delay, heard an update on Highlands district documentation and set a public-archaeology presentation for next month.
The Historical Commission for the City of Fall River conducted routine administrative business Tuesday and heard updates on several local preservation matters.
Procedural votes and outcomes: the commission approved the minutes of its August meeting by voice vote; members also moved to table an item related to the September meeting and approved that motion. Commissioners later moved and seconded adjournment at 6:14 p.m.
A notice of intent to demolish at 0 Ross Street was reviewed by Chairman Richard Mancini, who said the structure is a three-door cinder-block building in disarray and is not listed on the commission’s register of significant structures; therefore, Mancini stated, no demolition delay was required.
The commission received brief correspondence and an anticipated architectural submittal for a Cherry Street building that an architect said may be converted to apartments; the commission expects to review drawings at a future meeting and the presenter indicated the first floor would be retained in its current configuration.
At 162 French Street, commissioners said a verbal request had been made to the building department for a new set of stairs, a deck and a small porch; the property lies in what was referred to in the meeting as the “40 C C District.” The commission advised that drawings and a materials list should be submitted for review in keeping with district criteria, including visibility of the new work from the street.
Two items of continuing work were highlighted under old business. Public Archaeology Laboratories (PAL) will present a bio-reserve update at the commission’s next meeting; the chairman said the program, funded originally in 2021, had been in development and the PAL presentation will last roughly a half-hour to 45 minutes. PAL is also conducting an update of the Highlands Local Historic District: the firm photographed about 70% of the area and is assessing roughly 50 properties as part of an expansion that the chairman described as adding about 150 properties to the existing 48, bringing the total close to 200 once the expansion is finalized. The firm will return to finish photography after foliage drops.
No contentious disagreements or formal legal actions were recorded during the meeting.
