8.19.2025 Historical Commission

Good evening everyone. I'd like to call the meeting of the Fall River Historical Commission uh to order. Um this is a hybrid meeting both in person in the council hearing room, first floor fall River Government Center and hybrid via Zoom. Um it is Tuesday, August 19th, 2025. The time is 6:01 p.m. Uh, pursuant to the open meeting law, any person may make an audio or video recording of this

public meeting or may transmit the meeting through any medium. Attendees are therefore advised that such recordings or transmissions are being made, whether perceived or unpersceived by those present and are deemed acknowledged and per uh permissible. Um, and as I mentioned, the meeting is being recorded on the Fall River Government TV um through their social media uh channels and will be available on YouTube.

Um, may I get a roll call, please?

Ashley Dunia, present.

Jonathan Lima, present.

Jason Bousard, Narrai, present.

Rick Manceni, present.

Joyce Rodri, present.

Thank you. And, um, Connie Su is absent today. And we do not I'm sorry, we have one vacant seat.

Um okay.

and see uh first item on the agenda is to review and approve the minutes from May 20th, 2025. Those were tabled on June 17th and July 22nd, 2025. Uh they were just distributed um a little while ago.

Does anyone have any questions on the minutes?

I'll make a motion that they be approved.

Okay, I'll second.

Rick Rick and second by Ashley. All right. All right. Uh, may I get a roll call, please, to approve the minutes from May 20th. Roll call vote.

Uh, yes.

Yes.

Oh, sorry.

Sorry. Uh, sorry. We're good.

We can go AC. Yeah, we can go down the line. Um, so Ashley, yes.

John, yes.

Rick, yes.

Joyce, yes.

And Jason Bushard and Rocky, yes. Thank you.

Um, item number two is to review and approve the minutes from July 22nd, 2025. I don't think those were I'll make a motion to table.

Okay, I'll second.

All right.

Table.

Okay. Motion made by John uh to table the minutes uh from July 22nd. Uh seconded by Rick. Roll call vote.

Ashley.

Yes.

John?

Yes.

Rick?

Yes.

Joyce?

Yes.

And Jason Buchardi? Yes. Thank you.

Okay. Uh is there any citizens input?

No. Um, I did not receive any notices of intent to demolish, um, which is good.

Um, I did receive for item number three under correspondence, um, regarding 406 June Street. Um, I received a inquiry from Carrie Aosh and licensing. Um, this is the Charles FH White House. Um, it is in the Highlands National Register Historic District as well as the Fall River Multiple Resource Area. Um she's asking for the confirmation of the historic status of the property. Uh my

understanding the property was heavily severely damaged uh from the July 3rd, 2025 um storm that uh a number of buildings across the city did get quite a bit of damage. Um, so I haven't heard anything else, but I did indicate to Carrie that um because it's in the um National Register District as well as the area district um that it would be um a six-month demolition delay if that were the case would um

go onto the property if we received notice. Um so I haven't received a follow-up.

Um, under new business, uh, we have, um, Heritage Consulting Group, uh, returning regarding a continued letter of support, uh, for 80 to 84 North Main Street. This is the BMC Dery Trust building. Um, this is for their historic tax credit application. And I believe we have, uh, Nate from um, Heritage Consulting.

Good evening. Can you hear us?

Yep. Yep, I am here.

Hi. um if you could just uh state your name and your um affiliation with the project please.

Uh sure. Yeah, Nathan from Heritage Consulting Group and I am the consultant on the Deerfield block project.

Great. Um and has there um been any changes to the property since we last met or the in the project itself?

Uh nothing in relation to the proposed scope that has been approved thus far.

Um, speaking of that storm that did occur, I believe a month ago, um, and I know that we had some email correspondence in relation to some of the brick that have fallen off on one of the elevations. Um, we did have correspondence with both NHC and NPS about emergency uh, work to shore up any of that brick that is uh, located adjacent to where I have fallen off. uh and also proposed uh work for salvageing

of brick and mortar and structural repairs as needed.

And that was on the Which facade was that on?

Uh the south south. Um the the the rear side of the south.

Okay. Oh, that's right. It was on Bank Street, I think. The the Bank Street facade. Yes.

Um has that started that project started at all to shore up the brick?

Uh I am not sure as of yet. Um but like I said I mean we did have correspondence in essentially proposed plans uh just went through MAC and both MPS and they gave the green light as to what we are looking to propose we'll submit a formal amendment in relation to it and submit mockups uh for the mortar and if there is any new brick utilized but like I said most of the brick will

be salvaged uh as can be to be replaced back onto the facade.

Awesome. Great. Thank you. Um, has anyone seen or had driven by after the storm to see? I know it was shared on social media.

And bring you up to date, uh, Ryan. It has been shored up. Uh, it was it's got planks in there and it's it's been anchored with appears to be true bolts right through the building to hold that brick that's been uh, loosened up in place. There was a substantial amount that came off, but there was also another substantial amount of brick that's sort of floating out there, you know. So it has been secured.

Uh just to bring you up to date.

Sure. No, I I appreciate that. Yeah.

Now, uh how is the process and the progress on the windows and the renovation of the building? How is that coming?

Uh so currently they're doing demolition work. Um and there's still still ongoing demolition work. Uh essentially is what we're looking at right now.

Okay.

All interior demolition. Nothing being done on the windows at all or nothing in the near future.

Nothing in the near future on the books or uh well, we do have approval for window replacement and such. Um timeline of when those replacement windows are going to be installed, I'm not sure right as of right now. Uh could you get that information and maybe just send Jason an email to that effect just so we have an idea when this is being started uh and when it's progressing or how it's

progressing because it has been standing here for a while.

So yeah, I can reach out to the project team.

Yeah. Would you do that and then just drop an email out to Jason? He can get us a copy. That'd be helpful. Thank you.

Um, was that the that's that was funded by the a CPA grant, correct? The Windows CPC did fund some of that. Yes. Okay.

And that's all been approved. That was approved back in January.

Okay.

Yeah.

So, that's the most current uh most recent run. Okay. Um, great. Um, any questions for Nate whatsoever on the project?

No, I don't.

No. Okay. Um, so this is a request for continued letter of support. Uh if there's no questions, make it a motion.

I will make a motion for a continued letter of support.

I'll second that motion.

All right, Ashley and Rick. Um have a motion by Ashley, seconded by Rick uh for continued letter of support. Um roll call vote. Ashley, yes.

John, yes.

Rick, yes.

Joyce, yes.

And Jason Buchard and Rocky, yes. Um Nate, I will have that to you by by the end of the week. I know the filing deadline is fast approaching I think the 30th. So I'll have that before the end of the week for you.

Awesome. Appreciate it.

Anytime. Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Have a good weekend.

Thank you, too.

Does anyone have a spare pen in their pen? Oh, thank you.

You have mine.

I got Yeah. Thank you. Sorry, Ashley and Rick. Thank you. This one died halfway.

Um, next on the agenda, item number five, uh, Ryan LLC requesting letters of continued support for historic tax credit applications, uh, for the following properties. Um, 5 A is, uh, 529 Eastern A, Notre Dame Rectory. 5B, Sanford Spinning Mills, 206 Globe Mills A. And 5C, Union Built, 66 Troy Street.

And we have Emily uh, from Ryan LLC. Uh Emily, if you could just uh state your name and your affiliation with the project, please for public record.

Sure.

Hi. Uh Emily Dominani with Ryan LLC and the historic tax credit consultant on the project.

Great. Thank you very much. Um and um regarding the projects, I guess we can go just go down the line. Um, regarding Notre Dame rectory on Eastern Nav, has there been I think the last we spoke there was a they did receive their funding for construction, I believe.

Well, not quite, but I mean there's still they um there has been a few delays on the project. one um regarding the electrical engineering.

They had to redo the plan um and they had to get a new consultant because unfortunately the consultant they had passed away. So they had to get all new plans for that. Um so that's in the works right now.

Um, and I believe last time we had discussed um whether or not the building was for sale.

So, there has been a restructure of the loan on the property um that they're expecting to finalize mid slash end of September.

Okay.

A restructure being a change in ownership.

No, restructuring of the loan.

Okay. Um and but the the present owners are still moving forward with the rehabilitation plans.

Yes.

Okay. All right.

They're very anxious to get it going.

Okay. We're very anxious to see work start.

So, I will say for two of these projects, um, Notre Dame is very close to getting the maximum amount of credit, uh, of allocations from MHC.

So, this may be the last time they need to apply for now. Um so this project and then 66 Troy is also nearing completion.

Um this is the last time they're planning to apply and then the project will be done by January by the next round. So and that's for 66 Troy Street.

Yeah.

Okay.

Um great. Um but uh regarding um Notre Dame rectory, have so you said they've they're nearing the the max for the allocations from the program. Does that mean have they've received funds thus far? They don't receive anything until the project is certified and completed. Correct.

Correct. They don't they don't receive the actual funding until the end. Okay. But they've been all allocated nearly the maximum allowable which is 20% of the qualified rehabilitation cost.

Okay. Um has the uh cost of that project increased significantly?

It hasn't it has increased um in line with what we're seeing across the board with construction costs.

Um, so it's not, you know, there hasn't been a dramatic increase, but it has been a steady increase from when we initially started applying.

Okay.

Hence the reason for renegotiating price the cost because that you know it's you've probably got what a 20% increase from the original construction cost probably.

Okay.

Yeah.

Okay.

All right. Thank you Emily.

Thank you Emily. Um and regarding the tax credit too, so the way that works at the once the project is completed, I believe they have the option of it goes against uh their income tax when for dispersement or they have like a um if the applicant has uh like a broker that kind of goes in by way of uh they receive the credit and then there's like usually like a uh like a cash

reimbursement so to speak. Um you know, minus a certain percentage.

Um but at least nothing's actually been transferred. Um um and then so does anyone have any questions regarding the rectory?

No.

Okay. And then um 5B 206 Globe Mills A uh Sanford Spinning. Uh what is the status of that project?

So that one has again just it's a large project getting the funding together to make that happen has it's just taken a little while and part of it being the continued uh applications for the state historic tax credit is very important to this project. Um they're also um they've also submitted a another round of the underutilized property grant through Mass Development and um they're

expecting to hear back from that in a few weeks.

So, you know, just trying to piece together different sources um to make it to make it work so they can get started.

You said that's an un underutilized properties grant. Is that what you said?

Mhm.

Okay. Yeah, through mass development.

Okay. Um, I know that there was a uh I think before the current budget uh in place by the federal government before that was approved. I know a lot of the most if not all of the state historic preservation offices including MHC they were awaiting uh basically to see what kind of funding that they're going to be getting because a lot of that would I know MHC at least with the state historic tax credit program that

one is uh I believe funded for the most part um but uh uh other programs like the federal historic tax credit program was kind of an up in the what the status of that was going to be um before the budget passed.

Um so that I think that has delayed a few things, right?

Yeah. And we're we're lucky that it's still in place.

Hope we were hoping for a few changes in the positive direction that didn't come through this time, but yeah, we'll keep advocating.

Okay. Okay. Um All right. I And then we're all set. Oh, and I was just going to say many changes in the negative direction or is it pretty status quo?

The historic credits at the federal level wasn't changed at all.

So, yeah, it's it's as it was.

Okay, good. That's uh that's good news.

Yeah. Um when um so per pending I guess financing and so forth regarding at least Sanford spinning that is a very large project. Um are I mean are when do you think that would start construction?

Will they phase it or are they planning on tackling tackling it all all at once?

Yeah, it's it's phased.

So each of the main large mills is a phase.

Okay.

starting with the one on the left and then the one on the right.

Um I did not get a date from them the last time I okay spoke with them so I'm not sure what their current um current start date is.

Okay.

Again, Emily, I believe at the last meeting with with the developer, uh there was a question of drawings not or being completed. They were not completed at the time. They were sort of finishing them off and putting details in there.

Do you know if the drawings are all completed for that building of those buildings?

Was it that one?

Yeah, I thought it was. I'm trying to think because we did have an amendment related to the windows.

There was a color issue also, I believe, on that, but that's that's another a color issue on the windows.

Yeah, they wanted to put a a white window and the and the uh parks department wanted a different color.

Yeah.

I'm vaguely remembering.

That was ringing a bell.

Yeah, I know one of the other projects, not through Ryan, but actually through Heritage, there are two projects that they were waiting for updated drawings.

That's why they're not on the agenda tonight. Um, and they both happen to be mills, so they they do start to blend in after a while, but yeah, they might be blending in my mind also.

Yeah.

Okay. Um if there's any um as you receive any updates um just uh because we are curious as to um the viability of these projects to see if they can if they are continuing um once if there's any updates that you may have in the future before we meet again um for construction start dates and um uh that would be greatly appreciated. um just so we can monitor as we as we do any other

projects receiving tax credits and uh affecting the National Register of Properties in the city.

Yeah, definitely I will confirm that.

Um and then regarding 5C Troy Street, uh you mentioned finished uh on track to be completed by uh January 2026.

Yep.

That's great. That's great. Uh, but you haven't started construction.

Oh, but yeah, they have owner.

Oh, okay. Okay. Sorry. Oh, yeah. Yeah.

It's uh uh I've been kind of following the uh the the uh updates on I think it's the owner's um uh social media uh pages regarding the like the new windows are in. I think the apartments are underway. Um yeah, there's a ton of backup construction on.

Exciting.

It is very exciting. Um yeah, and um yeah. Um great. And um when it is completed um so you said we probably won't be meeting with you again for this particular project uh for 66 Troy. Um is there a possibility that we would get uh that we can get a site visit to see we did get a tour of the building uh before construction started? Um I think and um it'll be interesting to see the changes

afterwards.

Excellent. Thank you. Um All right. So, do I have any questions on any of the items on for 5 A, B, and C?

Um you want to vote them down the line or as a joint as a package or I think as a package I'll make a motion to um supply continued letters of support. Hi bud. for all three properties, the uh Nordreamed Rectory, Sanford Spinning Mills, and the Union Belt Building.

Thank you.

I'll second that, John. Thank you. I have a motion by Ashley, seconded by John, uh to approve uh continued letters of support for Notre Dame Rectory, uh Sanford Spinning Mills, and Union Built. Uh roll call vote. Ashley, yes.

John, yes.

Rick, yes.

Joyce, yes.

And Jason Bushardi, yes. Uh Emily, I will have those three letters to you by the end of the week as well. Um, so we'll have those and we'll see you again soon.

Okay.

Thank you so much.

Thank you. Good night.

Good night.

Um, um, all right. So, thank you. Um, so under register of significant structures, there are no items for that.

Um, old business item six.

Yeah, that's progressing and we're still on schedule for September. They're beating the drums to get that put together. So, all right.

By September. All right. Thank you. And that's uh for the steep bio reserve form B.

Correct.

Excellent. Um and then um any questions from anyone on that? Okay. Um item seven, Highlands Local Historic District update. Uh we received one survey back actually today um from 411 Winter Street. I'll update the database, but they it was yes is all down the line. Um I haven't read the comments yet, but I just received it today. So, I will um I'll bring that up at the next meeting

or at least have a copy of it for the next meeting. Um I have not heard back from Elizabeth Warbertton and um Laura Klene Klene uh from public archaeological laboratories um regarding the field surveys. Uh but um I'll touch base with Alex with the preservation society to find out the statuses on that.

Um yes, pertaining to the the Highlands the expansion u I believe when we I spoke to Alex Silva Sylvia and uh he was completely unaware and I I thought we had made a motion to uh continue with the larger expansion and attempt to get more funding.

Okay. Did we we voted on that? Correct.

It was passed unanimous at the last meeting. Yes.

Yes. I I thought so. So, yep.

We do have to get the preservation to submit an extension to the original or more funding to get funding for this expansion of full.

I will I will touch base with Alex. So we'll need to because they're the ones getting the uh basically administering the the and handling the field survey component and the report. So um I guess it would require Yeah, it would require an updated um spec uh from or quote from PAL what the difference will be uh for the larger district. Correct.

Okay.

Um okay. And uh regarding any I'm trying to think if there's no there have been no other updates from that. There were the other two surveys that went out. Um off the top of my head I cannot remember the addresses on Highland Avenue. I want to say 745 and 727. I could be wrong on the addresses, but those were mailed out.

Um, and uh, I did a the paper version, not the Google form version, uh, in the hopes that those will be returned, but um, so we'll I'll wait to see what that is. Um, and aside from that, no other updates on that project, but um, so then, uh, item number eight, uh, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, um, Fall River Heritage Park event. Uh this is through the

waterfront waterfront cultural district.

Uh and that's tomorrow night at uh between 5:30 and 7:30. Um I believe Rick, you will be there discussing the um the historical commission.

Correct.

And I will be discussing the register of significant structures. Um I did I didn't realize there um how many updates there had that there there were on the register. So, I did email everyone a copy of the updated register today. I have a printed one here. Um, if anyone wants a printed copy, please let me know. I'll get one. Um, I am trying to figure out how to update the database so

it's not so giant on an Excel spreadsheet, but that's that was what was given to me when uh uh when the boards merged. Um so um and the website has been updated with I checked today the website was updated with uh the new the updated register. Um and yeah so that's all there.

Um so let's I was just going to continue with that.

That's great. Thank you.

Uh but for the general public that's listening in this is going to be a really nice informative meeting. Uh it's going to involve uh the historical society, preservation society, the uh the uh historic group commission, uh all all of the various organizations that that deal with city events like this are going to be defining what they do.

That's what it's for. So it's the general public is somewhat sometimes sometimes not always but sometimes confused with the various functions of the various departments and they they don't realize how independent they are.

They're not really one big organization.

So this is what's on the 20th which is tomorrow evening. It's going to be trying to separate those and let everybody know independently what's going on. So, if there's public wants to come down and and enjoy it, it's going to be a great evening. Uh, again, it's the waterfront cultural district that's presenting that. And again, just too much information, I'm I'm sure, but there are 350 it's a coup for the city

of Fall River. There are 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts. There are only 31 cultural districts, and Fall River happens to be the largest. So, it's it's going to be an informative evening and I would invite everyone to come down and and and sit with us and and assist us through through the process.

So, it'll be at the Heritage State Park uh building um uh which is the brick structure with the tower opposite the the foot bridge um between 5:30 and 7:30 tomorrow night. Um and I I was communicating with uh Sandy Dennis who's been instrumental in putting this all together. um for tomorrow night. And um one of the um uh goals for that for that uh commission is to examine because the

waterfront district doesn't just cover the waterfront. There's a a large uh branch of it that extends all the way up uh Columbia Street right up to South Main Street. And um the boundary lines of that and it's uh an official overlay zone in the city. And um regarding uh uh the properties on Columbia Street, uh you know, I I told her I said I made going through the register um and seeing

what was listed, there's a very good case, especially for uh kind of tying on the cultural uh criteria um that uh that Columbia Street in itself could be uh examined as a potential national registered district, which would give property owners um income producing property owners uh the ability to apply for historic tax credits through the state and federal government as well as CPC uh CPA um grants uh for exterior uh

restoration repair uh not repairs but ex exterior uh work that's being done. Um and there's a it's there's a question on some of the other properties along the waterfront. I know like the gates of the city, those are still fairly new, but there could be a strong case made that um you know, the structure of it and its importance in the community um it's with it's well under the 50-year kind of

threshold for it to being being quoteunquote historic, but it has this significant uh impact in the the city from the cultural aspect. Um so there are exclusions where the National Park Service can uh uh bring in a building or a structure or anything of that nature because it of its importance of its significance even if it is under the unofficial 50-year old threshold. Um but uh so this hopefully will kickstart some

dialogue especially now that the waterfront is getting a lot of attention um a lot of investment from the state and the city. Um, yeah. So, there's a good Yeah, we've been we've been very fortunate. Uh, the U Roger Williams University uh, Professor Styles has uh, has her fall semester class uh, doing about form B's for approximately 20 to 22 of these sites.

Good. Good.

And that's really good. And then we have another professor uh who has a spring semester and she specializes in coordination and uh cultural development.

So she has taken on the effort we're going to speak to her in a sometime in November and she's going to take a class and again in this whole cultural district. So, there's a lot going on there that's getting very busy and it's getting very interesting with with all the attention that it's getting and all of the Roger Williams work is free of charge. It's all all proono for them.

So, it's really good.

Excellent.

Thank you, Rick. Um that said, um our next uh is there any questions or anything for anything on the agenda? Um our next meeting is going to be um let's see 1 2 3 um Tuesday September 16th at 6:00 p.m. Uh we will have a few updates um on some other projects uh is when do the applications open for CPC?

September 15th.

Okay. Well, they will not be on the September agenda. the the September 15th actually is when they when u they most present and uh just go through a preview of what they need and then then October is November they start submitting all their packages.

Um I do know that we'll have a few uh one or two applications for um within the the local historic district for work that's being done. So that'll be on the next agenda.

Well, they have up until uh well we've got a revised schedule. So they have up until December.

So as long as they make our November meeting, you would be able to get a letter of appropriateness out or support.

Yep.

To them for our next round December meeting. Yes.

Great.

Um so with that said, um I get a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:34 p.m. We will meet again on September 16th.

We'll make a motion.

Ashley, I'll second the motion.

All right, Ashley. Uh motion b made by Ashley, seconded by Rick to adjourn the meeting. Uh roll call. Ashley, yes.

John, yes.

Rick, yes.

Joyce, yes.

And Jason Buchard and Rocky, yes. Thank you very much, uh everyone, and have a good evening.

Thank you. Okay.