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n Publir joropertq Department
Nuilbing Department
(One t4slem (6reen
508.745-9595 F-xt. 380 MAR 2 3 1995
Leo E. Tremblay
Director of Public Property ;jaIGM rk"O MW WtOPL.
Inspector of Building
Zoning Enforcement Officer March 23, 1995
Historic Commission
c/o Jane Guy
RE: 181 Swampscott Road
Dear Ms. Guy:
I received a phone call from Chief Turner of the City of Salem Fire
Department. He was very concerned about a piece of property located at 181
Swampscott Road. I informed him it was scheduled to be demolished and was
awaiting final approval from the Historic Commission. He again expressed his
concern of the danger that exist. Because of his concern, I immediately
inspected the above mentioned property and have decided that it is an unsafe
structure that must be removed immediately for the safety and be.st interest of
the public.
Therefore, I have contacted Linskey Construction Company to have said
structure removed as soon as possible, and he assured me that he would do so
on Saturday, March 25, 1995.
This letter is to inform you of my decision, and not being able to wait
for the decision of the Historical Commission.
Sincerely,
Leo E. Tremblay
Inspector of Buildings
LET: scm
cc: David Shea
Chief Turner
Councillor Donahue, Ward 3
Salem Fire Department ID :508-745-4646 _n� MAR 23'95 9 :42 No .001 P .02
�lty Of
Safem, aiiaCItu�Et�s
4 '\ � �ize �e�iazElnsat
:Safes, �nssac�rusetfs u�97�'-y69'�
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(Ai.f 9.� 505-7454646 Lua[au
508-'144-6990 5ob•%45-%%77
April 22, 1995
Information for the Department
Subject: Derelict Building - Exterior Firefighting Operations
Personnel are cautioned on the condition of an abandoned building on the left side Swampscott
Road adjacent to T 1ompson's Meadow. This is the old farm building owned by the Marblehead
Sewer and Water. The building is in an advanced state of decay and disrepair and is likely to
collapse in the event of fire. Demolition operations are delayed pending a hearing before the
Historic Commission.
Firefighting operations on this property are EX'I'FRIOR ONLY. Personnel are to use
extreme caution in firefighting operations including respect for a collapse zone.
Sig/n)ed,
Robert W. Turner,
Chief of Department
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Salem Historical Commission
ONE SALEM GREEN,SALEM,MASSACHUSETTS 01970
(508)745-9595 EXT.311
APPLICATION FOR WAIVER OF THE DEMOLITION DELAY ORDINANCE
Pursuant to the Historic District's Act (M.G.L. Chapter 40C) and the Salem Historical Commission
Ordinance, application is hereby made for issuance of a Waiver of the Demolition Delay Ordinance for
demolition as described below.
District: xl�� l Building Construction Date, if known:
Address of Property:
Name of Record Owner: TII w n -j-at�' /j&,1, l5/1 e.
Description of Demolition Work Proposed: p
�e n � z �� sc y��rc c S � <� — c-e., e.� C�eu
Lb—( C�YI� it ��Grz
Signature of Owner: 1�2xljx /S /��� Tel. #:
Mailing address: u) City/����� Stater Zip:
PROCEDURES FOR FILING APPLICATIONS
A. Be prepared to apply for approvals well in advance of commencing any exterior work. Before making any changes to the exterior of a
property in an historic district,the owner should call or visit the Commission representative at the Salem Planning Department to disciss
proposed alterations and to determine the category of the application (Appropriateness. Non-Applicability or Hardship).
The Commission normally meets on the first and third Wednesdays of each month and notices are posted at City Hall. The meetings are
held al One Salem Green,2nd floor, and begin at 7:30 p.m. All meetings are open to the public and any person is entitled to appear and
be heard on anv matter before the Commission before it reaches a decision.
C. An application for a Certificate of Appropriateness or Hardship must be received by 3:00 p.m. on the Monday 16 days before the meeting
in order to make the agenda. An application for a Certificate of Non-Applicability may normally be added to the agenda up to .he day
of the meeting. In some cases,a Certificate of Non-Applicability may be issued by the Clerk,without review by the full Commission,after
receiving signatures of approval from an officer and a member of the Commission. There is no fee for any applications.
D. All applications for Certificates of Appropriateness or Hardship require a public hearing. Notice of the hearing must be posted with the
City Clerk 14 days before the hearing and abutters must be notified in writing. Commission staff will handle these procedures. A public
hearing is not required for a Certificate of Non-Applicability.
E. Applications must be submitted by the owner of the property. In case of a tenant, a waiver of the owner's appearance may be granted at
the discretion of the Commission if it is requested by the owner.
F. An application will not be considered complete uniessall work iternsare thoroughly describ2don scaleddrawings and include specifications
regarding dimensions, materials, and any other information needed for the Commission to visualize the changes in order to make a
determination. Applications for paint colors should iiciude a paint chip or chart. Applications for changes other than paint colo-s must
be accompanied by scale drawings that adequately illustrate all proposed changes. The following items should be included in your drawings
as applicable:
1. Site plan showing location of improvemens;
2. Elevation drawings of the specific improvements:
3. Details/profiles(i.e. moldings, fence caps, cornices, vents, etc.);
4. Materials(i.e. wood, brick, etc.);
5. Dimensions(i.e. size of trim); and
6. Transformers, heat pump and condenser locations, electrical entries and meters, lamp posts, stove pipes.
G. At their convenience, a representative of the Commission will take pictures of the property from the public way for presentation at he
meeting. It is not necessary that the applicant be home or be present.
H. At the hearing, the Commission will discuss the application with the applicant or his re3resentative, hear the abutters and take a vete.
Owners having professional consultants such as architects or contractors are urged to have them be present at the hearing. If the application
is approved. a Certificate will be issued,mailed to the applicant and copies will be sent to the City Clerk and Building Inspector. Please
note that the application can be continued until the next meeting if the Commission deems necessary (i.e. for reasons of inccmplzte
drawings, to perform a site visit, etc.). In any case, the Commission must make a determination within 60 days from the date the
application is received, unless the applicant waives that requirement in writing.
1. A property owner or a contractor cannot receive a building permit unless a Certificate has been issued or the applicant has a letter from
the Commission stating that the change involved is not subject to the Commission's jurisdiction. Please be sure to obtain appropriat.
permits from the Inspector of Buildings prior to commencing work.
J. The City of Salem reserves the right to inspect the project to determine compliance with the conditions set forth in the Certificate issued.
Violations
:X person commencing or completing work to the exterior of a building in an historic district without the necessary approval of the Commission is
subject to tines of up to $500 per day from the date of viola ion. The Commission is not responsible for an owner's neglect to inquire about
necessary City permits and approvals. All records are public and we will confidentially assist you if you are concerned that someone :n your
neighborhood is in violation.
Assistance
The Commission's guidelines are available for viewing at the Salem Planning Department and the Salem Public Library. The guidelines provide
examples of what is historically appropriate(or inappropriate)for Salem's neighborhoods including trim,siding,doors,fences,gutters,masonry,paint
colors,parking solutions,porches,roofing,satellite dishes.secondary egress,skylights,utili ties,windows,etc. These guidelines help you understand
what changes are likely or unlikely to be approved. The Comm.ssion supports your efforts to improve your property and can guide you on historical
appropriateness. Further information,in the form of books,artic es and pamphlets,City-wide architectural inventories,and photographs,are ayai Ia3le
at the Historical Commission's office at One Salem Green. For more information, contact the Clerk of the Commission.Jane Guy, at the Salem
Planning Department, One Salem Green, Salem, MA 01970, 508 745-9595, Ext. 311.
w-S—
FORM B - BUILDING
AREA FORM N0.
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION I CP
80 BOYLSTON STREET
M MA 02116
. .
Salem
i� resS 161 Swamoc cotr Road
-� oric Name
Present RPc ; dPntial Farm
9 Original RPcidPntial Farm
CRIPTION
-+ a A 1897
ce At1acP iii rP rt nriP
le
hitect
Sketch Map: Draw wap showing property's location
in relation to nearest cross streets and/or Exterior Hall Fabric Clapboard
geographical features. Indicate all buildings
between inventoried property and nearest Outbuildings Barn
intersection(s).
Indicate north
Major Alterations (with dates) NnnP
�9
Condition Fa i r
( � 9 Moved R n c c i_�, �„ Date R3, 1g 1 ,
s Acreage T.Pqq t h a n
�G
0J Setting F ra a
o q
i
UTM REFERENCE SNARecorded by Northfipit9s prpsprvati, A, suer
USGS QUADRANGLE Organization S,,I,m Rlannin„ „Pnt
SCALE Date „nP qq()
NATIONAL REGISTER CRITERIA STATEMENT ( if applicable)
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE Describe important architectural features and evaluate in terms of
ether buildings within the community.
161 Swampscott Road is a rare survivor of the Highland Avenue area's former
farming community. The Greek Revival house is two stories high, with a gable
roof. Its irregular fenestration and details make its origins difficult to
identify. The eaves are flesh with slight cornice returns. Four bays deep and
five bays wide, the house possesses tall twin interior chimneys and 2/2 and 2/1
window sash. Entries are located in the west bay of the rear facade and the
center of the front. The house is built low to the ground, with foundation not
visible, and is set in a valley off the road. To the north of the house is a
one-bay, 1 1/2 story barn, with a gable roof set broad side to the street. The
lower half-story facing the street is composed of stone, with a wood-framed
upper story clad in asphalt shingles. The barn door in the wood-framed northern
gable end is flanked on either side by one 2,12 window. Over the barn door is a
hay loft door. There is a one-story addition to the east.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE Explain the role owners played in local or state history and how the
bu4lding relates to the development of the community.
The Highland Avenue and Highland Park area was farmland until the early
20th century. The land that is now Highland Park was the Salem Great Pastures
as late as 1907, when the City bought the pastureland to build Salem High School
(now the Middle School) . The remainder of the pastureland was left relatively
untouched as Highland Park. By 1915, the City bought adjacent land from the
large Horace Ware estate for the establishment of Salem Hospital. The land to
the southwest of the Great Pastures, upon which this house sits, was settled
with farms by 1874. This farm is first depicted on the 1897 atlas, as the
property of the George Foster estate. It remained in the Foster family as late
as 1911 . Although this property is still in use as a farm, the surrounding
neighborhood outside of Highland Park has been developed as a residential and
industrial area. Further research is necessary to determine the origins of this
building.
l
BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES
Maps and atlases: 1851 , 1874, 1897 and 1911
Salem City Directories
Historic Salem, Inc. House Report on 50-52 Highland Avenue
Tolles, Bryant. Architecture in Salem. Salem: Essex Institute, 1983•
Report of the Park Commissioners. In Salem City Reports. Salem: Newcomb and 6/85
Gauss, 1907•