What: A minor development review in the historic district for a Merrimack Street storefront: illuminating an installed sign, repainting the front masonry, and painting the rear patio brick white.
Where it stands: On November 9, 2026 the Board issued a certificate of appropriateness for the sign and its illumination and for the front facade paint, on condition that colors are reviewed before work. The rear patio painting was left for reconsideration once photos or a site visit are available.
The applicant asked for three things: to turn on the lighting in the existing sign, to paint the front masonry black, and to paint the rear patio brick white. A planned Beach Club sign was deferred to next year.
Sign: staff had issued an unlit sign permit; members noted earlier illuminated signs at the property and that only the lettering would glow, but flagged that illuminated signs are rare on the street and that the Board's standards discourage telephone numbers on signs.
Front paint: members found black too strong for the historic street and suggested a warm gray or dark gray base with a darker charcoal on the pilasters, subject to color swatches.
Rear patio: members said they could not judge painting older, previously unpainted brick without photos or a site visit, citing moisture trapped by paint; the applicant plans to return with visuals.
Motion: certificate of appropriateness for the sign, illumination and front facade paint, with colors reviewed beforehand and the rear paint reconsidered later. Passed by voice vote with no opposition.
Names and details come from auto-generated captions and may be misheard.