Middle Haddam Historical District Commission
Regular Meeting
March 27, 2008
Eaton E Smith Meeting Room – Town Hall
Unapproved Minutes
1. Call to Order: Chairman Costello called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
2. Role Call / Appointment of Alternates: Ned Costello, Chair; Nannette Woodcock, Vice Chair; Doug Mackeown, Clerk; Richard Walsh, Ray Krupa and Kamey Peterson, Secretary.
3. Public Hearing: None.
Chairman Costello reported these items have been rescheduled until the next regular scheduled meeting due to an error in the public notice. Both applicants have been notified of the change.
4. Approval of minutes and motions:
a. January 31, 2008 minutes and motions
Ray Krupa made a motion to approve the minutes dated January 31, 2008 as presented. Motion was seconded by Richard Walsh. Motion passed unanimously.
5-0-0
5. Public Remarks: None
6. Correspondence:
a. Term Corrections and appointments update
Nannette Woodcock reported on the Town Councils’ corrections of Mr. Krupa and Mr. Walsh’s term expiration dates of 2010 and 2011. Letters will be going out this week with clarification. Also, it was reported the Appointment Sub-Committee will be conducting interviews over the next week for the 1 full member and the 3 alternates. They are hoping to be able to present their recommendations for appointments to the Town Council on Tuesday, April 8th. Ms. Woodcock noted there was excellent applicant interest from the community.
b. Draft of Handbook (ATTACHMENT)
The MHHDC received a draft copy of the handbook for its consideration from a group of community members brought together by James Royster following the February public hearing including Doug Mackeown, Nannette Woodcock, Paul Rapo, Anne and Red McKinney, Ted Hintz, Bunny Simco, and Barbara Angelico.
7. New Business:
a. Information Flow Chart (ATTACHMENT)
Nannette Woodcock created an Information Flow Chart for the COA process. The members of the commission reviewed the chart, provided suggestions which were well received and revisions will be made to be reviewed at the next meeting.
b. Commission on Tourism Workshop and materials provided (ATTACHMENT)
Nannette Woodcock and Doug Mackeown attended The CT Commission on Culture and Tourism Workshop in February attended by at least 10 difference town historic district commissions. A list of publications received at this workshop was provided, some of which are excellent public reference material which will go to the Commission’s files at the East Hampton Library. Certified Governments, grants available to public and government agencies, and samples of materials published by various districts were covered. Resource information from the National Preservation Trust and Secretary of the Interior Standards containing extensive technical detail for preservation of properties was also discussed by the Commission.
c. CT Trust for Historic Preservation Model Delay of Demolition Ordinance (ATTACHMENT)
The MHHDC discussed a sample delay of demolition ordinance referenced at the CT Commission on Culture and Tourism workshop as a way of dealing with demolition by neglect.
8. Unfinished Business:
a. FOIC Faber Complaint Final Ruling: dismissal, no violation on all counts
FOI Complaint~process updates received from Town Atty. Janet Brooks, D'Aquila & Brooks, LLC: ~
2/28/08 re: FOIC hearing held 2/27/08 – “I appeared before the Freedom of Information Commission yesterday prepared to present oral arguments in support of the hearing officer’s proposed decision.~ When I was heard (there were a lot of proposed decisions before this one) I noted for the record that neither Ms. Faber nor her lawyer were present. Since they filed no objection and did not appear at the hearing to pose any objection, I requested that the FOIC adopt the proposed decision as their final decision, which it did with alacrity.
When I receive the written final decision I will forward to you and the Commission.~ In sum, the final decision finds no facts or legal basis to support any FOIA violation by the Middle Haddam Historic District Commission.~ I am hopeful this will deter future baseless complaints to the FOIC.
And 3/17/08 re: FOIC final decision – “Please find attached the final decision of the FOIC adopting the proposed decision of the hearing officer.~ The 30 days is now ticking for the appeal period to run.~ I will let you know if I receive any evidence, although it may be served on the Commission first.”~
MHHDC reported on the notice received from the Freedom of Information Commission of the State of Connecticut, stating it found that the respondent held a regular meeting on July 3, 2007. It is found that the minutes of such meeting were approved on August 7, 2007, and reflect the topics that were discussed under “New Business”.
From FOIC - With respect to the allegations it is found that the motion made and vote counts are accurate. It is further found that the complainant takes issue with the description, which follows such motion and contends that it violates the FOI Act, since it is not a verbatim depiction of what occurred on July 3, 2007. However, the Commission notes that no such description is even required by the FOI Act. Moreover, it is found that such description fairly describes the decision to approve the roofing request. It is therefore concluded that the respondent did not violate the FOI Act, as alleged in the complaint. The following order by the Commission is hereby recommended on the basis of the recorded concerning the above-captioned complaint. The complaint is
hereby dismissed. Note: The full documentation from the Freedom of Information Commission can be found on file at Town Hall.
a. Budget Update
The MHHDC discussed the proposed and adopted budget ‘08 as well as expenses to date. The Chair noted that additional funds will be required to cover clerical and advertising at a minimum as the funding level has proven inadequate.
b. Handbook
The members of the MHHDC discussed the DRAFT proposed version of the Middle Haddam, Connecticut Historic District making typographical changes and possible additions to consider. The document content will be discussed at future meetings.
9. Public Remarks: None
10. Adjournment:
Chairman Costello adjourned the Regular Scheduled Middle Haddam Historical District meeting at 8:47 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Kamey Peterson
Recording Secretary
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