Middle Haddam Historic District Commission
January 22, 2009
Regular Meeting
Easton Smith Meeting Room – East Hampton
Unapproved Minutes
1. Call to Order
Meeting was called to order by Chairperson Woodcock at 6:32 pm.
2. Roll Call/Seating of Alternates
Commissioners present were Chair Nannette Woodcock, James Royster, Gina Ritchie, Vice Chair Doug MacKeown, Richard Walsh, Christopher Dart and George Coshow. Commissioner not present was Raymond Krupa. Alternate Commissioner Gina Ritchie was seated for Raymond Krupa. Also present were Town Manager Jeffery O’Keefe, Board of Finance Member Henry Thorpe and other members of the public.
Commissioner Royster moved to amend the agenda to hold the public hearing at 7:00 pm. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Walsh. Motion Carried 5-0-0
- Approval of Minutes and Motions
November 20, 2008 Minutes
Corrections to the revised minutes were discussed. Commissioner Woodcock moved the minutes be adopted as corrected, seconded by Commission Royster. Motion Carried 5-0-0
6. Correspondence – None
a) None
7. Reports
a. Expenditures – Middletown Press for $68.23 and Rivereast for $51.93 previously approved in January and December
b. 2009 Budget Report- Commissioner Woodcock moved to postpone agenda item 7b, 2009 Budget Report until later in the evening at the request of a council member that may be present, seconded by Commissioner Royster. Motion Carried 5-0-0
c. Assessor’s Office Property Listing and GIS update – Commissioner Walsh gave a presentation to the commission. He reported that he found a few omissions of properties from GIS to maps.
d. Other - Commissioner Coshow reminded Nick Costello of the missing sign. Functional Assessment Report is also attached.
a. Discussion of Regular Meeting start time - A discussion ensued on the regular meeting start time. It was decided to change start time from 7:00 to 6:30 pm.
b. 77 Middle Haddam Road – There has been no COA received or building permit application for this property. Historically there have been three different names used for permits at this property. Pictures were distributed showing that the new stairs and posts have been installed. The pictures indicate that additional risers were installed. It was determined that further investigation is needed. If a COA is needed, a letter to the property owner will be drafted.
c. Other – None
9. Unfinished Business
- 2007-2008 COA material to Bldg. Dept. - This material was delivered last month.
- 28 Middle Haddam Road – There have been complaints about commercial vehicles that are being parked at this property. The building inspector will speak to the property owner. The commission will follow up next month on this property and address if necessary.
- Other – none.
3. Public Remarks – Items Not on Agenda - None
4. Public Hearing The public notice was read by the Commission Royster.
a. COA Application #419, 36 Middle Haddam Road, Shawn France, request for approval for commercial parking.
Commissioner Woodcock declared the public hearing open at 7:01 pm. Mr. France was not present. No other information was received from the applicant.
Paul Chaplin – 41 Middle Haddam Road – He is against the application. During the summer, there are 6-7 vans on the lawn. He states that this is a residential property not a commercial property. He does not like looking at the multiple vehicles. At first he thought it was a temporary situation, but now feels that it has become a permanent operation.
Paul Rappo – 50 Middle Haddam Road – He feels that it is a good time for the commission to develop criteria for parking since it is within their authority.
James Palochik – 39 High Point Road – He questioned if a business can be operate out of this home. He believes it is a zoning issue.
Commissioner Woodcock gave a brief history on this application. Commissioner Woodcock closed public hearing at 7:13 pm. The commission reviewed state statute that pertained to the scope of their authority. The commission discussed Application #419.
Commissioner Royster moved to disapprove COA Application 419 filed by Mr. France seeking a COA to park commercial vehicles in the driveway of 36 Middle Haddam Road on the grounds that such parking is highly visible from the main road through the Middle Haddam Historic District, the size of the driveway is insufficient to appropriately accommodate such parking, and such parking use is therefore unreasonable incongruous with the historic aspects of the district. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Walsh. Application Denied 5-0-0
7. Reports
b. 2009 Budget Report – The budget request was submitted by Commissioner Woodcock since there was a January 16, 2009 due date. Commissioner Woodcock gave a presentation on the budget. The budget proposal is less that 3%. There was a discussion on cost saving ideas.
10. Public Remarks – None.
11. Adjournment
Commissioner Woodcock moved to adjourn the November 20, 2008 meeting at 7:50 pm, seconded by Commissioner Royster. Motion Carried 5-0-0
Respectfully Submitted,
Patricia Kratochvil
Recording Secretary
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