Middle Haddam Historic District Commission
May 1, 2007
Regular Meeting
Meeting Minutes
Meeting Venue: Eaton E. Smith Meeting Room – Town Hall
Present: Ned Costello, (Chair), Doug Mackeown, (Clerk), Richard Walsh (Alternate) and Ray Krupa (Alternate) and Nanette Woodcock (Vice Chair) 7:06 PM.
Call to Order: The meeting to order at 7:04 PM
Roll Call / Appointment of Alternates: Alternates Rick Walsh and Ray Krupa were seated for this meeting.
Public Hearings:
a. Chuck & Donna Roberts, Middle Haddam Rd.: Replace stockade fence around swimming pool with picket fence. Chuck Roberts presented the commission with his application replacing the stockade fence around the pool with a picket style to match the fence in front of the house to be installed by Arrow Fence. R. Walsh asked if the fence was in compliance with the town for pool safety. Mr. Roberts replied it will. Ray Krupa made a motion to approve the pool fence for Chuck & Donna Roberts, Middle Haddam Road to replace the stockade fence around the swimming pool with a picket fence. Motion was seconded by Richard Walsh - VOTE: 4-0
Nannette Woodcock joined the meeting at 7:06 PM.
b. Rich & Cindy Patterson, Shad Row: Reconstruct roof over one-story-L with steeper pitch; add covered porch; re-roof. Rich Patterson presented the commission with proposed plans to repair and alter the roof of the ell to the house. Their plan is to change the roof line so it is in keeping with the main house, improving the appearance. Two windows matching those of the rest of the house will be added on the North side. A screened porch will be built over the existing deck including custom built wood screening and door. The roof will be red cedar shingles on the road side of the house and architectural grade shingles to match the west side. R. Walsh asked if the side of the porch will be even with the bedroom shown on the North elevation. N. Costello asked if it were possible to break the face of the screen porch and
the end of the building, Rick Walsh agreed that would be preferable and the applicant and architect thought it may be stepped. N. Costello stated he appreciates the applicants attempt to preserve the look of the cedar shingles on the road side however would not require the applicant to use cedar which is not holding up as it used to years ago and there are pitch issues with the porch roof to be considered. N. Woodcock questioned the gutters as well as the clapboard exposure. R. Walsh noted the scale of the new gable end window should match the gable end attic window. R. Krupa stated the plans as presented were excellent and the ideas were a nice change to the house. Other commissioners agreed. D. MacKeown stated he has provided copies of this application to abutting neighbors, spoke with them personally and no one expressed any issues with this plan. Doug MacKeown made a motion to accept the application of Rich & Cindy Patterson, Shad Row, per their drawing to reconstruct the
roof with wood shingles in the front, weather wood architectural grade asphalt shingles in the back, to include the screen porch with slight set back from the main house, skylights and gutters and leaf guard protection to be incorporated in addition to the drawings. Motion was seconded by Richard Walsh - VOTE: 5-0
R. Krupa thanked the applicant for providing the commission with such thorough plans. Ned Costello apologized to the public for not asking for public comment earlier and invited public comment on the two applications. Fred Hansen indicated the job with the application was good and applauded the inclusion of the option for asphalt shingles for the roof.
Approval of Minutes & Motions
The commission tabled approval of the March 9th, 19th & 31st, April 3rd and 18th approval of the minutes until the next regular scheduled meeting. It was noted that the March 19th minutes were not completed and asked the Secretary to do so for approval at the next meeting.
Review:
a. By-Laws N. Costello led the review of the most recent sets of By-Laws he provided commission members. Although the new set is basic, he felt it would cover the need. The commission may need to vary some from Roberts Rules so that public input is encouraged and people feel free to participate. Ray Krupa commented on the need to be more open. N. Woodcock stated she has spoken with the Town Manager to determine he if he would provide input as to what is appropriate for by-laws and rules of procedure. Chairman Costello shared his view of the necessary content and discussed adding the ability to amending the bylaws with a 2/3 majority. Rick Walsh added the reference to “a board” should be changed to avoid confusion regarding the body to which this refers. R. Krupa stated he applauds the idea of providing as many
opportunities for public comments as possible. He will obtain copies of the on-line tool for by-laws and guidelines utilized in Arlington, MA which may be helpful in this process. Other information was discussed that could be helpful to the public to better understand the process and ordinance.
Fred Hansen offered comment regarding the basic content of By-Laws adopted by Planning &Zoning.
b. Procedures The commission discussed having guidelines listed so the public is aware of where and how to fill out applications in addition to adding documentation of definitions and also clarifying what Historic Districts can and cannot regulate.
Public Remarks:
Fred Hansen provided the commission with a flyer that described a permanent paint called Extreme Coating System being utilized by a number of properties locally which has an energy rating and greater life span than traditional paint.
Correspondence:
N. Woodcock received a copy of an article from Connecticut Preservation News, March/April 07 issue, on the Samuel Taylor House, interest in preservation in Middle Haddam and noting the interpretation of The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation which suggests distinguishing new structure from old structure as was done in this case.
New Business
N. Woodcock inquired about instructions that someone had attached to MHHD applications in the Middle Haddam Post Office that were not currently used by the Commission. The commission discussed the requirement in the current instructions requiring an applicant or a representative to attend a hearing.
N. Woodcock handed out Basic Parliamentary Information obtained from The Town Clerk. Concern was expressed that our procedures not be formalized in a way that might alienate the public.
Unfinished business (to be discussed at June meeting)
Resolution from Town Council
1. By laws / Rules of Procedure
2. Ordinance
3. Application Process
A copy of the Town Manager’s Report to the Town Council, February 13, 2007: Coordination of Application Process between Boards and Commissions was provided the commission by N. Woodcock in which he requested a study to develop a model that addresses how the town can best support all town boards and commissions, exchange of information, jurisdiction and authority, the various application processes including technological needs and manpower requirements.
4. Guidelines Public Remarks: None
Public Remarks None
Adjournment: Richard Walsh made a motion to adjourn the MHHD meeting at 8:23 PM. Motion was seconded by Ray Krupa. VOTE 5-0 Motion Passed Unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kamey Ahrens Recording Secretary
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