162 Federal Street Chimney SHC letter
September 7, 2017
Patricia Kelleher
Salem Historic Commission
120 Washington Street
Salem, MA 01970
RE: Chimneys at 162 Federal Street
Patti,
We are responding to the Historic Commission’s concern regarding the removal of the chimneys at 162 Federal Street Salem, MA. This is a project which has submitted for and been approved
for both State and Federal tax credits.
The chimneys have been removed due to deterioration. The initial plan was to keep the chimneys where they are exposed to view from the roof up and repoint them. The chimneys would then
be removed below the roof line and supported structurally. The engineering required to support the weight and wind load on the chimneys to remain was not practical. The decision was
made to remove the chimneys and rebuild them in kind from the roof up with a plywood backup and veneer brick and mortar to match the existing. All profiles and dimensions would be respected
in regards to the removed chimneys. The former chimneys are rectilinear, have dimensionally, minimal corbelling with a concrete cap.
We reviewed this procedure with the Epsilon the Tax Credit Consultant and they felt that this was an acceptable approach and is within the guidelines for historic restoration
I hope this clarifies this issue. Please feel free to contact us should you have any further questions.
Dan