MIDDLE HADDAM HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @ 6:30 p.m.
Location: Eaton Smith Meeting Room – East Hampton
DRAFT Minutes
- Call to order – Chairman Royster called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.
- Roll Call / Seating of Alternates – Roll call was taken. Present were Commissioners James Royster, Richard Walsh, Charles Roberts, Gina Ritchie and alternate Commissioners Christopher Dart and Colleen Mellen. Commissioner Royster seated alternate Commissioner Christopher Dart.
- Public Remarks – Items Not on Agenda – None
- Public hearings:
a. Application #459, filed by Demian and Deborah Battit, regarding 6 Keighley Pond Road, to install a deck behind existing garage.
Demian and Deborah Battit were unable to attend. After a brief discussion, it was confirmed that the material would consist of wood or a natural material.
Richard Walsh moved to approve the application as presented. The motion was seconded by Charles Roberts. Motion Carried 5-0-0.
5. Approval of minutes and motions
b. Minutes and motions for the regular meeting on July 28, 2011 were reviewed. The minutes were approved as presented.
6. Correspondence –
c. Letter from Margaret Faber dated July 28, 2011. Commissioner Royster opened the discussion regarding Items 1 and 2 of the letter. Commissioner Walsh commented that the MHHD may benefit by embracing the National Registry of Historic Places in the future with regard to the preservation of historic places and that it would a positive to be recognized on the national level. Commissioner Royster mentioned that the “Other Laws” section of the handbook and other sections already include references to the National Registry of Historic Places. Regarding Item 3 of the letter concerning Ms. Faber’s assertion that the Union Hill Cemetery is a “public place” under the Connecticut Historic District statutes. Commissioner Royster
indicated that on February 3, 2007 the MHHDC held a workshop to discuss a draft of the Middle Haddam Historic District handbook prepared by then commissioner Margaret Faber and asked the public to comment on the draft handbook. Commissioner Royster (who was not a commissioner at the time) prepared written comments concerning the content of the draft and was concerned about a number of legal errors within the draft including the proposed definition of a public street, way or place. Commissioner Royster read the portion of those comments concerning the proposed definition into the record together with the emails exchanged between him and East Hampton’s town attorney Janet Brooks concerning her agreement with his legal comments. In accordance with Mr. Royster’s 2007 legal analysis, the proposed definition of “public street, way or place” in the handbook draft was contrary to law and the Union Hill Cemetery could not be considered a
“public place” under Connecticut’s Historic District statutes (See Attached).
Commissioner Walsh commented regarding the June 23, 2011 regular meeting minutes and stated he reviewed the notes and that the commission agreed the barn would be visible but reasonably similar to the proposed high marker.
Commissioner Royster asked that the portion of his 2007 comments that were read into the record and the emails exchanged between himself and Attorney Brooks be attached to the minutes of this meeting; all commissioners support the attachment of the comments.
d. Letter from Douglas Mackeown dated August 22, 2011. Mr. Mackeown presented and indicated that he his barn sustained structural damage last winter and he will need to remove the existing exterior boards and correct the damage and re-apply the existing boards. The main reason for the work is to repair and strengthen the barn.
James Royster moved to approve the letter as presented and that the outlined work does not require a Certificate of Appropriateness. The motion was seconded by Richard Walsh. Motion Carried 5-0-0.
e. Other. Letter from Margaret Faber received August 25, 2011. A letter was received concerning the pole barn at 45 Middle Haddam Road. Commissioner Royster commented that the Commission discussed the matter earlier this evening and that it was acknowledged at the last meetings that a portion of the front of the barn would be visible from Route 151. Commissioner Royster asked that the letter be added to the record (See Attached).
7. Reports
f. Expenditures – None
g. Other – None
8. New Business –
h. Other – None
i. Other – None
11. Adjournment – Gina Ritchie moved to adjourn at 6:56 p.m., seconded by Christopher Dart.
Motion Carried 5-0-0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jennifer Magro
Recording Secretary
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