CPA 2014-2015
TO: Brian Adams, Chairman of the Community Preservation Committee
Sarah LaValley and John Frey, Department of Planning & Sustainability, City of Northampton
FROM: Laurie Sanders
& Betty Sharpe, Co-Directors
Date: February 13, 2017
Summary
The 2014-2015 CPA grant awarded to Historic Northampton addressed many of the most critical problems facing the organization’s
three historic houses: the Damon House (1813), Parsons House (1719), and Shepherd House (1796).
Of the many restoration and preservation tasks and activities outlined in the 2014 grant,
we’re pleased to report that the majority have already been completed and thanks to those repairs and modifications, our buildings and collections are now in much, much better condition.
In addition, thanks to this grant and subsequent newspaper articles, Historic Northampton received many offers of volunteer help and with the support of volunteers, we were able to reduce
the need for professional cleaning and moving services. We were also able to eliminate our need for off-site storage, which resulted in another important piece of savings. Finally, thanks
to this grant, we were able to install a new, higher-efficiency furnace and boiler in Parsons and add insulation to all three buildings. Because of those changes and last year’s warmer
winter temperatures, our bills for oil and heat during FY 2015-2016 were 40% lower than the previous year—dropping from $21,400 to less than $13,000.
Our records indicate that of the
$176,465 grant award, $130,475.87 has been spent and reimbursed. We intend to use the balance of funds ($45,989.13) to pay for the remaining activities.
The rest of this document summarizes
the projects that have been completed at each house and the tasks that are still outstanding.
Damon House
Staff received professional advice regarding mold and moisture issues in both basements and based on those recommendations, a plan for remediation and abatement was put
into action.
In the front basement, the artifacts were removed and cleaned. The mold and mildew issues were addressed and the floor was painted. A mason made necessary repairs to the
foundation walls and an industrial dehumidifier was purchased and installed to maintain appropriate humidity levels. The water from the dehumidifier is discharged via rubber tubing to
the outdoors (vs into a sump pit).
In the back basement, hundreds of items, including all of the ledgers, books and paper ephemera were removed, cleaned of mold and moved to storage
in Parsons House. A new industrial dehumidifier was installed and the relative humidity levels are now controlled.
Electrical violations were corrected on the first and second floors.
In addition, emergency lighting was installed and old fixtures were replaced with energy-efficient, LED lighting on all floors. (2016)
New flashing was installed on the chimney (2015).
Eight sets of sashes were removed and 15 were rehabbed (rotting wood replaced, glazing redone, and sashes repainted) prior to their re-installation. (2015)
Still pending & to be completed
in 2017
Install a proper cover to the sump pit. (Winter)
Install 32 storm windows that were purchased in 2015. (Spring)
Continue grading improvements to move water away from the building.
(Spring)
Install energy efficient lighting in 2nd floor rooms (front) and along terrace. (Spring)
Final cleaning and painting of back basement floor. (Winter/Spring)
Purchase climate-control
system to electronically measure relative humidity. (Summer).
Remove slumping brick terrace. (Summer)
Parsons House
A 20th-century porch was removed and a professional archeological
excavation was completed prior to the creation of a new basement below the mid-18th century kitchen. The floor below the kitchen had rotting joists and a rotten sill in close proximity
and/or direct contact with the soil. (2015)
The back wall (north side) and roof were stabilized by cabling in the attic and repairing post base. (2015)
A rotting sill (25’), floor joists
and posts associated with the mid-18th century kitchen (north side) were replaced. (2015)
Excessive moisture and mold issues were eliminated in the basements by: making masonry repairs
to the foundation, applying a waterproof coating the foundation walls of the front
basement (including seam sealing, sheet rocking and painting of walls and floor); infilling and bricking foundation windows; and installing a dehumidifier. (2015, 2016)
Repairs to the
roofs and gutters were begun. (2015)
Barriers to wildlife (especially rodents) were installed; (2015, 2016)
Improved lighting was installed in the front cellar. (2015)
All the asbestos
from the heating system (75 SF and 3 LF) and pipes (29 LF) was removed. New foam insulation was wrapped around steam pipes and seam sealing was done along the foundations. (2015)
Prior
to the gas moratorium, the ancient oil-burning furnace was replaced with a new, efficient, gas-fired furnace and a new hot water boiler was installed. (2015)
A corner foundation was
repointed. (2015)
Siding, eaves and flooring were replaced where necessary. (2015, 2016)
A bulkhead in poor repair on ell of building was removed; a new bulkhead was installed as an
exit for newly-created basement (below mid-18th century kitchen). (2015, 2016)
Easily-accessed knob & tube wiring and other outdated fixtures were removed and replaced with Romex wiring
and/or modern, LED fixtures. (2015)
After the final cleaning, the front basement was equipped with new, well-organized shelving and the cleaned collection items were replaced. (2015)
An
energy audit was completed and the main attic was cleaned in anticipation of installing insulation. (2016)
The land on the north side of the Parsons house was regraded to help move water
away from house and its foundation. (2015, 2016)
Still pending & to be completed in 2017
Install 35 storm windows that were purchased in 2015. (Spring)
Continue grading improvements
to move water away from the building. (Spring, Summer)
Purchase climate-control system to electronically monitor relative humidity and temperature. (Summer)
Install cellulose insulation
and seam seal in attic spaces and cellar areas. (Summer/Fall).
Address remaining interior finish work in mid-18th century kitchen. (Fall).
Shepherd House
A professional company removed
270 LF of asbestos from the heating system and pipes and installed new insulation around steam pipes and along the foundations. Following the asbestos work, an air test to verify air
quality safety. (2015)
The basement was cleaned and professional mold abatement was conducted. (2015)
An industrial dehumidifier was installed to address excess moisture. (2015)
The
footings of major support posts in the basement were repaired and shored up. (2015)
The soil along the east perimeter of the building was removed and a vapor barrier installed in order to reduce moisture from entering. A layer of gravel was placed on the vapor barrier.
(2015)
An electrician installed a new circuit for the dehumidifier, installed floor receptacle, replaced outside light at front entry, and replaced the 1940s fuse box with a new 16-circuit
sub panel with 6 min circuit breakers. (2016)
Leaks in the main roof and back porch roof were repaired; mold damaged ceiling removed and repaired. (2016)
A hose faucet located inside
the back porch was moved to outside the building, which will eliminate water leaks in the porch and into the cellar. (2016)
Still pending & to be completed in 2017
Install 30 storm
windows that were purchased in 2015. (Spring)
Repair roof and replace failing gutters, including adding a chimney liner and copper cap. (Spring, Summer)