HISTORIC DISTRICT
COMMISSION
TOWN OF EAST HARTFORD
REGULAR MEETING: May 4, 2009
The regular meeting of the Historic District Commission of East Hartford, Connecticut was called to order at 7:02 p.m. in the 2nd Floor Conference Room “B” by Chair David Holmes. On a roll call by David Holmes:
PRESENT: Chair David Holmes, Gloria Visgilio-Lupi , Secretary Jeffrey Cummings, Robert Pasek and new Commissioner Travis Simpson.
ABSENT: Vice Chair Steven Hudak, Alternate Catherine Condio and new Alternate Commissioner Michelina Lauzier.
Mr. Simpson, who is a resident of the Naubuc Avenue Historic District, was welcomed by Chair Holmes to the Commission as a Regular member.
ALSO PRESENT: Liaison Mary G. Martin, Mr. & Mrs. Zajicek, and Mr. Grisevich.
Mr. Cummings was appointed a voting member by the Chair.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES:
MOTION by Mr. Pasek to accept the November 3, 2008 Public Hearing Meeting Minutes; seconded by Mr. Cummings. Vote was unanimous and uncontested. Mr. Simpson and Ms. Visgilio-Lupi abstained.
MOTION by Mr. Pasek to accept the November 3, 2008 Regular Meeting Minutes; seconded by Mr. Cummings. Vote was unanimous and uncontested. Mr. Simpson and Ms. Visgilio-Lupi abstained.
Mr. Cummings made a MOTION to revise the agenda and move New Business Section 7 A & B of the agenda to this point of the agenda; seconded by Mr. Pasek. Vote was unanimous and uncontested.
NEW BUSINESS:
ACCEPT AS COMPLETE: APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS #72 FOR 264 NAUBUC AVENUE (OWNER: ZAJICEK) – INSTALL REAR SUN PORCH: Mr. & Mrs. Zajicek wish to replace an existing screen porch with a glass and aluminum sun porch. The same footprint and existing deck will be used with the new sun porch. Mr. Pasek made a MOTION to accept Certificate of Appropriateness #72 for 264 Naubuc Avenue (Owner: Zajicek) as complete with the stipulation that the existing stairs will either be removed completely, relocated to fit the new entrance way of the sun porch, or replaced with stairs and rails that would be appropriate for the architectural style of the house (turned baluster); seconded by Mr. Cummings. Vote was unanimous and uncontested.
ACCEPT AS COMPLETE: APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS #73 FOR 172 NAUBUC AVENUE (OWNER: GRISEVICH) – INSTALL PRE-FABRICATED SHED. Mr. Grisevich wishes to install a pre-built free standing shed (non-permanent). The dimensions are 10’ x 16’, 8’2” height and vinyl sided with a three tab asphalt shingle. It will be placed in the middle of the rear yard, 6’ from the north side and not visible from the street. It is considered a temporary structure and will not be placed on permanent footings. The color of the building and trim are flint which matches existing structures on the property. Mr. Simpson made a MOTION to give Mr. Grisevich permission to go directly to the permit process through the Building
Department and bypass the Certificate of Appropriateness process through the Commission since his structure is not visible from the public thoroughfare and is considered a removable structure. However, the Applicant must place the structure in the exact location that was presented to the Commission; seconded by Mr. Pasek. Vote was unanimous and uncontested.
COMMUNICATIONS: No additional communications were presented.
OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS/RESIDENTS TO SPEAK: Mr. Grisevich asked about the parking of commercial vehicles in the historic district. He was informed by Commission members that parking related issues were not governed by the Commission, but by Town Ordinance. He was directed to utilize the Town’s website and look up the ordinances pertaining to the parking of vehicles in yards.
OLD BUSINESS: None
NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED
ACKNOWLEDGE SERVICE OF FORMER COMMISSIONER MARY DOWDEN: Commission members discussed recognizing the efforts put forth by Ms. Dowden on behalf of the Commission for approximately 25 years. Mr. Pasek made a MOTION to honor Ms. Dowden, if Ms. Dowden wishes to accept, with an offering of recognition (such as a plaque or flowers) not to exceed $100; seconded by Mr. Simpson. This recognition would take place at the June meeting. It was determined by Consensus to proceed with the recognition.
STATUS OF COMMISSIONER APPOINTMENTS & ELECTION OF OFFICERS: Ms. Martin made the Commission aware of the fact that Mr. Cummings was never made a Regular member and is still considered to be an Alternate. Mr. Cummings cannot continue as Secretary if he remains an Alternate. Since Mr. Simpson was recently appointed as a Regular member by his respective party, and Mr. Cummings has been a Commissioner for quite some time, the Commission discussed changing their status so that Mr. Cummings could be a Regular member. Mr. Simpson will take this item up with his Party’s chairperson.
Also, Ms. Visgilio-Lupi was made a Regular member and Ms. Condio was switched to being an Alternate. Ms. Lauzier was also appointed an Alternate member but is currently ill. Election of officers will take place at next month’s meeting. Ms. Martin will compile a new list of members, including their party affiliations and terms, for the June meeting if action on these issues is taken by the Town Council after referral by the appropriate Party chairperson.
PAYMENTS: 1. Clerk – M. Enman ($75)
MOTION by Mr. Pasek to pay the above listed expense; seconded by Mr. Simpson. Vote was unanimous and uncontested.
OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA: Mr. Simpson asked for clarification on the boundary of the Naubuc Avenue Historic District. He also stated that there are new owners in the District and a “Welcome” letter should be sent. Ms. Martin will find out which property was transferred and get the new owner’s name so a letter can be sent out. Mr. Simpson will keep an eye on the property transfers in his neighborhood and report back to the Commission when necessary.
Ms. Martin distributed copies of articles relating to replacement windows from CT Preservation News that may prove helpful. She also distributed informative materials from Custom Build Windows & Door Systems, Inc. advertising their Point 1 Windows made for preserving and protecting homes of significance. The information provided was not meant as an endorsement of the product line.
During discussion, it was decided that Commission meetings will be held at its former location in the 1st floor Building Department Conference Room, due to better acoustics.
Mr. Pasek inquired about the “Clark House” on Burnside Avenue. He stated that there has been a lot of activity going on around the house. He also inquired about the “white house”, possibly a Schultz property, to the south of the Route 2 overpass on Main Street. He was wondering what was happening with the property. A brief discussion followed. Mr. Pasek also suggested that a recommendation should be made to replace the Bradford Pear trees on Main Street with more historically accurate elms now that a more disease-resistant elm is available. It was decided that Ms. Martin will work with the Commission to draft a letter to the Town’s Tree Warden, Public Works Director Billy Taylor, with that suggestion. CDBG funding could
possibly be used as a funding source for a new streetscape design to include these elms.
MOTION by Mr. Pasek to adjourn the meeting at 8:06 p.m.; seconded Mr. Cummings. Vote was unanimous and uncontested.
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