Old Town Hall-Amendment to Decision-Handrail
Design Review Board Recommendation
32 Derby Square
Old Town Hall Development Project – Review of Updated Handrail Options
Meeting Date: January 22, 2025
Members Present: Paul Durand, Leeann Leftwich, Kate Martin, Catherine Miller, Elizabeth Murray,
Marc Perras, Sarah Tarbet
Members Absent: None
Recommendation: At a meeting of the Design Review Board (DRB), upon a motion duly made and
seconded, it was unanimously voted to recommend approval of the one railing at the northwest
accessible route and with consideration of the recommended conditions provided herein.
Referenced Plans and Documents
1. Plan set titled, ‘North Entrance Walkway Railing Info,' prepared by Mills Whitaker Architects,
LLC, PO Box 750089, Arlington, MA 02475, dated December 2, 2024.
Recommended Conditions: The DRB recommends incorporating the following conditions of approval:
1. One Handrail: The DRB recommends one railing at the northwest accessible route. The board
found that the one-railing design shown on SKA-1.5 of the plan set denotes the accessible
walkway.
Findings:
1. The Board found the proposed accessible-side handrail option is consistent with design
standards and requirements for historic buildings.
2. The Board found the proposed railing will improve safety and accessibility into Old Town Hall,
which is a public building.
Signature of the DRB: By the signature below, I certify that this recommendation accurately reflects the
discussion and actions of the Design Review Board.
_______________________________________ _________
Paul R. Durand, Chair
1--23-25
LIST OF DRAWINGS
SKA-1.0 NORTH ENTRANCE WALKWAY RAILING INFO
SKA-1.1 NORTHWEST WALKWAY TO ENTRANCE
SKA-1.2 NORTHEAST WALKWAY TO ENTRANCE
SKA-1.3 ELEVATIONS AT NORTH ENTRY WALKWAY
SKA-1.4 RAILING DETAILS AT NORTH ENTRY WALKWAY
SKA-1.5 RAILING OPTIONS AT NORTH ENTRANCE
NOTES
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
THE MASSACHUSETTS ARCHITECTURAL ACCESS BOARD GRANTED
A VARIANCE FOR OMISSION OF A LEVEL LANDING AT THE TOP OF
THE CURB CUT LEADING FROM THE NORTHWEST CURB TO THE
ACCESSIBLE WALKWAY, SUBJECT TO INSTALLATION OF A RAILING
ON THE WALL-SIDE OF THE WALKWAY.
NOTE THAT THE NEED FOR A VARIANCE WAS ACKNOWLEDGED IN CIVIL
DRAWING C-2 IN GENERAL NOTE #2. THIS SKA-1 SERIES OF DRAWINGS
ILLUSTRATE THE REQUIRED RAILING AS STIPULATED BY THE MAAB.
THE ATTACHED DRAWINGS SHOW THE MAAB REQUIRED HANDRAIL AT
THE ACCESSIBLE WALKWAY LEADING FROM THE NORTHWEST CORNER
OF THE SITE TO THE NORTH ENTRANCE. THE DRAWINGS ALSO SHOW A
MATCHING HANDRAIL AT THE NORTHEAST WALKWAY TO THE ENTRANCE.
FOR PRICING PURPOSES, THE CONTRACTOR IS REQUESTED TO PROPOSE
COSTS FOR THE PROVISION OF ONE OR BOTH RAILINGS AS SHOWN:
OPTION ONE: RAILING AT NORTHWEST PER MAAB (SKA-1.1, 1.3, 1.5).
OPTION TWO: INCLUDE RAILING AT NORTHEAST (SKA-1.2, 1.4, 1.5).
THE RAILING SHALL BE SIMILAR IN MATERIALS AS TO WHAT HAS BEEN
SPECIFIED AT THE ACCESSIBLE RAMP IN THE SOUTHEAST CORNER
OF THE SITE TO THE EXTENT NOTED IN THESE SKA-1 DRAWINGS. THE
ADDED RAILING WILL HAVE 1.5" SQUARE COLOR-GALVANIZED STEEL POSTS,
1" I.D. HORIZONTAL RAILS, AND 3/4" BENT DOWEL HANDRAIL BRACKETS IN
THE CONFIGURATIONS NOTES IN THESE DRAWINGS.
THE SITEWORK WILL ADD 6" CONCRETE FILLED SONOTUBES FOR THE
PROVISION OF FROST-PROTECTED SUPPORT OF THE POSTS AS NOTED.
GRANITE COBBLES AND CONCRETE SUBSTRATES WILL BE CORE-DRILLED
FOR PLACEMENT OF GROUTED POST BASES AS SHOWN IN THE DETAILS.
OLD TOWN HALL PRESERVATION
32 DERBY SQUARE
SALEM MA 01970
PROJECT:MILLS WHITAKER ARCHITECTS, LLC
P.O. Box 750089
Arlington MA 02475
DATE: DRAWING:
SOURCE:
2 DECEMBER 2024
SKA-1.0
NORTH ENTRANCE WALKWAY RAILING INFO
N/A SCALE: N/A
NORTH
7' D x 6' W
12
UP PROVIDE GRANITEBOLLARDS W/ COLOR GALV.STL. RAILINGS1'-0"
2
1
UP
EX. DS
PROVIDE 48" WIDE < 5% ACCESSIBLEBRICK WALKWAY PER CIVIL DRAWINGSPROVIDE FLUSH CURB CUT
TO ACCESSIBLE WALK
PROVIDE GRANITE COBBLES PER CIVIL-DWGSRELOCATE GRANITE CURB2'-0"4'-0"2'-0"
4 1/4"1'-4"3 3/4"3'-5" (VIF)1'-4"3'-5" (VIF)3'-5" (VIF)3'-5" (VIF)1'-4"3/4"PROVIDE GRANITECOBBLES PER CIVIL-DWGSSKA-1.1
OLD TOWN HALL PRESERVATION
32 DERBY SQUARE
SALEM MA 01970
PROJECT:MILLS WHITAKER ARCHITECTS, LLC
P.O. Box 750089
Arlington MA 02475
DATE: DRAWING:
SOURCE:
2 DECEMBER 2024NORTHWEST WALKWAY TO ENTRANCE
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENT A-11 / 1.1 SCALE: 1/4" = 1'-0"
3/4"NORTHPROVIDE 48" WIDE < 5% ACCESSIBLEBRICK WALKWAY PER CIVIL DRAWINGSPROVIDE GRANITE COBBLES PER CIVIL-DWGSRELOCATE GRANITE CURB2'-0"4'-0"2'-0"
4 1/4"1'-4"3 3/4"PROVIDE GRANITECOBBLES PER CIVIL-DWGSUP 6"
AT CURB
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
EX. DS
7' D x 6' W
12
UP PROVIDE GRANITEBOLLARDS W/ COLOR GALV.STL. RAILINGS1'-0"
2
1
UP
3'-5" (VIF)1'-4"3'-5" (VIF)3'-5" (VIF)3'-5" (VIF)1'-4"CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENT A-11 / 1.1 SCALE: 1/4" = 1'-0"
OLD TOWN HALL PRESERVATION
32 DERBY SQUARE
SALEM MA 01970
PROJECT:MILLS WHITAKER ARCHITECTS, LLC
P.O. Box 750089
Arlington MA 02475
DATE: DRAWING:
SOURCE:
2 DECEMBER 2024
SKA-1.2
NORTHEAST WALKWAY TO ENTRANCE
ACCESSIBLE NORTHEAST
WALKWAY @ 4.8%
LANDING AT
NORTH ENTRANCE
CURB CUT FROM
PLAZA @ 8.0%
PROVIDE 1" I.D.
UPPER RAIL @ 34" AFF
PROVIDE 1.5" SQ.
BARS PER SKA-1.4
PROVIDE 1" I.D.
LOWER RAIL @ 18" AFF
NORTHWEST WALKWAY @ 4.8%
AFTER 6" STEP UP AT CURB
LANDING AT
NORTH ENTRANCE
PROVIDE 1" I.D.
UPPER RAIL @ 34" AFF
PROVIDE 1.5" SQ.
BARS PER SKA-1.4
PROVIDE 1" I.D.
LOWER RAIL @ 18" AFF
OLD TOWN HALL PRESERVATION
32 DERBY SQUARE
SALEM MA 01970
PROJECT:MILLS WHITAKER ARCHITECTS, LLC
P.O. Box 750089
Arlington MA 02475
DATE: DRAWING:
SOURCE:
2 DECEMBER 2024
SKA-1.3
ELEVATIONS AT NORTH ENTRY WALKWAY
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENT A-21 / D SCALE: 3/16" = 1'-0"
1 1/2"JULIUS BLUM CAP TYPE A MODEL 5615 OR EQUAL
1'-4"3 3/4"4 1/4"
2'-0" COBBLED BORDER IN WALKWAY
10" x 7" x 4" GRANITE
COBBLES SET IN MORTAR
GRANITE COBBLES;
CROSS SLOPE VARIES
BRICK
WALKWAY
COMPACTED
GRAVEL PER CIVIL
6" SONOTUBE TO 48" BELOW GRADE; CONCRETE FILLED
1 1/2" SOLID BAR POSTS W/ 12" MIN. EMBEDMENT INTO GROUTED
2 1/2" DIA. CORE-DRILLED HOLES THRU COBBLES & CONCRETE
3/4" DIA. BENT DOWEL
HANDRAIL BRACKETS
WELDED TO POSTS
30" @ UPPER RAIL
(14" @ LOWER)
1" I.D.
PIPE
FULL PENETRATION WELDS AT END RETURNS &
RADIUSED RETURNS OF HANDRAIL TO POST
6"6"
PRE-FORMED EXPANSION
FILLER PER CIVIL DWGS. (TYP)
UPPER RAIL @ 34" AFF
(LOWER RAIL @ 18" AFF)
SCALE: 3" = 1'-0"PLANS & ELEVATIONS SK-A1 SERIES
OLD TOWN HALL PRESERVATION
32 DERBY SQUARE
SALEM MA 01970
PROJECT:MILLS WHITAKER ARCHITECTS, LLC
P.O. Box 750089
Arlington MA 02475
DATE: DRAWING:
SOURCE:
2 DECEMBER 2024
SKA-1.4
RAILING DETAILS AT NORTH ENTRY WALKWAY
OPTION ONE: PROVIDE RAILING AT NORTHWEST ACCESSIBLE ROUTE
OPTION TWO: PROVIDE RAILING AT NORTHEAST WALKWAY ALSO
NORTHWEST WALKWAY @ 4.8%
AFTER 6" STEP UP AT CURB
LANDING AT
ENTRANCE
ACCESSIBLE NORTHEAST
WALKWAY @ 4.8%
CURB CUT FROM
PLAZA @ 8.0%
NORTHWEST WALKWAY @ 4.8%
AFTER 6" STEP UP AT CURB
LANDING AT
ENTRANCE
ACCESSIBLE NORTHEAST
WALKWAY @ 4.8%
CURB CUT FROM
PLAZA @ 8.0%
OLD TOWN HALL PRESERVATION
32 DERBY SQUARE
SALEM MA 01970
PROJECT:MILLS WHITAKER ARCHITECTS, LLC
P.O. Box 750089
Arlington MA 02475
DATE: DRAWING:
SOURCE:
2 DECEMBER 2024
ELEVATION D/A-21 & SKA-1.3 SCALE: 1/8 = 1'-0"
SKA-1.5
RAILING OPTIONS AT NORTH ENTRANCE
Salem Historical Commission
98 WASHINGTON STREET, SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS 01970
(978) 619-5685
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
It is hereby certified that the Salem Historical Commission has determined that the proposed:
✓ Construction Moving
✓ Reconstruction Alteration
Demolition Painting
Signage Other work
as described below will be appropriate to the preservation of said Historic District, as per the requirements
set forth in the Historic District's Act (M.G.L. Ch. 40C) and the Salem Historic Districts Ordinance.
District: N/A
Address of Property: 0 Derby Square
Name of Record Owner: City of Salem
Description of Approval of Work:
• Restore exterior masonry and wood trim to match existing conditions; and
• Modifications to provide accessible access per plans by Mills Whitaker Architects dated 10/18/24 and
12/2/24 per attached drawings.
Dated: February 24, 2025 SALEM HISTORICAL COMMISSION
By:
The homeowner has the option not to commence the work (unless it relates to resolving an outstanding
violation). All work commenced must be completed within one year from this date unless otherwise
indicated.
THIS IS NOT A BUILDING PERMIT. All applicable building permits to be obtained prior to work
commencing.