HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
TOWN OF EAST HARTFORD
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES: OCTOBER 7, 2013
The meeting of the Historic District Commission of East Hartford, Connecticut was called to order at 7:06 p.m. in Conference Room A on the first floor of Town Hall by Chairman David Holmes. On a roll call by Secretary Gloria Visgilio-Lupi:
PRESENT: Chairman David Holmes, Vice Chair Travis Simpson, Mary Manns, Alternate Jeffrey Cummings, Margaret Byrnes and Secretary Gloria Visgilio-Lupi.
ABSENT: Municipal Historian Raymond Johnson.
ALSO PRESENT: Acting Liaison, Eileen Buckheit
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES:
MOTION by Ms. Byrnes to accept the August 12, 2013 Special Meeting Minutes with one correction, under the section for Opportunity for Citizens/Residents to Speak, Mr. Simpson wanted it to say he was upset with the current condition of the building; seconded by Mr. Cummings. Vote was unanimous and uncontested.
COMMUNICATIONS: The communications listed on the agenda were discussed.
OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS/RESIDENTS TO SPEAK: Mr. Simpson wanted to make note that the barn that is in danger of collapsing on Naubuc Avenue is in the process of being taken down by the owner. He wanted to thank Greg Grew for his help with this situation. Also, a lot on Naubuc has been subdivided and the new lot has already been sold.
OLD BUSINESS:
26 BISSELL STREET: After receiving several letters asking that 26 Bissell Street not be demolished, the Mayor has put a stay on the building. Some of the environmental work had already commenced on the building. The stay is for approximately 5 to 6 weeks, but the building should be taken down before the Thanksgiving holiday.
It was the consensus of the Commission to try to make the public aware of the property, the history that it has and fact that it will be demolished soon. It was decided that a Request for Proposal should be advertised asking for the building to be saved. The Commission also hoped the Town might offer a financial incentive to do so. The Commission based their decision on 752 Main Street, also known as the former “Town Hall Annex/WIC” building that was also slated for demolition back in May 2010. The Town did put out an R.F.P. for the building, however, no responses were received and the building was eventually demolished. Ms. Buckheit will speak with the Mayor about putting out an R.F.P. for the building. She will contact the Purchasing Agent for the document
template used in 2010.
NEW BUSINESS
NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF PRESERVATION COMMISSIONS: Chair Holmes is going to contact this agency to find out if the Commission could join and how much it would cost.
PAYMENTS:
MOTION by Mr. Cummings to pay the above listed expenses; seconded by Ms. Byrnes. Vote was unanimous and uncontested.
OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA: Mr. Simpson asked Acting Liaison Eileen Buckheit, for a complete listing of Town owned historic buildings that are vacant. He feels the Commission should monitor the status of the buildings so they don’t fall into disrepair. Ms. Buckheit will pass that request along to Public Works Director, Tim Bockus.
ADJOURNMENT: MOTION by Mr. Cummings to adjourn the meeting at 7:58 p.m.; seconded by Mr. Simpson. Vote was unanimous and uncontested.
Respectfully Submitted,
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Michelle Enman, clerk
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