Town of East Hampton
Town Council Public Hearing
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Eaton E. Smith Meeting Room – Town Hall
Minutes
Present: Chairperson Melissa Engel, Vice Chairman John Tuttle, Council members Barbara Moore and Susan Weintraub. ~Also present were Town Manager Jeffery O’Keefe, Recording Secretary Jennifer Magro, members of the press and citizens.
Not Present: ~Christopher Goff, Thomas Cordeiro and William Devine
Chairperson Engel called the Public Hearing to order at 6:03 p.m. ~ ~
Lois McCutcheon, 51 Long Hill Road, read an email dated February 9, 2010 into the record regarding questions that need to be answered at this Public Hearing regarding the Middle Haddam Historic District Ordinance. A copy of the letter will be included in the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office.
Everett Breece, Middle Haddam, commented on the May 17, 1977 Middle Haddam Historic District meeting, the minutes include the unanimous vote of the west boundary from the edge of the Connecticut River to the center of the Connecticut River to coincide with the riparian rights of the Town of East Hampton. The prior commission wanted to make sure the Connecticut River was considered a way.
Margaret McCutcheon Faber, Schoolhouse Lane, read a letter into the record regarding several historic statements and findings regarding the west boundary line for the historic district. A copy of the letter will be included in the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s office.
James Royster, Middle Haddam, stated the list includes all original properties. The list is purely informational, not instructional and has no legislative function. There is no plan to diminish the value of the properties. The list of properties is recognized at the federal, state and local levels. The Historic District Commission intends to protect boundaries. By statute, the commission must treat all properties equally. The commission does not determine boundaries. Thinks the council should support the draft ordinance, current ordinance does not comply with statute.
Kyle Dostaler, 56 William Drive, asked why the Historic Commission seeks to change the boundary line and why has the Town Manager and Town Council allowed the Historic Commission to spend $16,000 in taxpayer money to change an ordinance that doesn’t need to be changed. Mr. Dostaler would like to know the specific state statutes that the current ordinance is in violation of.
Peter Walsh, Middle Haddam, stated he received a copy of the ordinance when he purchased his home in the historic district and found his house on the list. Mr. Walsh believes this adds value to his house. It likely adds value to the Grand List. If list is removed, it would bring down property values and taxes. Feels the Town Council should vote to protect the value of the houses on the list.
Douglas MacKeown, Middle Haddam, stated he voted in 1977 to establish the Historic District. He is a current member and past chair of the commission. His wife was chairman in 1981. Mr. MacKeown is here to vote his approval of the proposed ordinance.
Melissa Engel advised that due to the fact that two council members were not present; the vote will be tabled to the next regular meeting scheduled for Tuesday, February 23, 2010.
Mary Ann Dostaler, 56 William Drive, commented that the Historic Commission has not made itself clear as to why it is intent on reducing its ability to protect the Town of East Hampton. Mrs. Dostaler would like to know why the Historic Commission wants to erase history from its own documents. She would also like to know how and when the Historic Commission was authorized the $16,000 for legal fees.
Laurie Wasilewski, Hog Hill Road, commented that keeping things as they are does not harm. Ms. Wasilewski is concerned about preserving the history of the town.
Nannette Woodcock, 1 Knowles Road, commented that the Historic Commission has been advised that it has no authority over archeological sites. Ms. Woodcock stated that the list was created by the State (Council of Tourism) and cannot be diminished in any way. The Historic Commission was advised by the town attorney that it did not have the right to create the list; therefore it should not to include the list in ordinance.
Lorena Walsh, 11 Knowles Road, commented that the district creates increases property values by 5-20%. The properties that appreciate the most are those that are recognized. By removing the list from the ordinance diminishes the protection of the properties.
Mr. Breece, commented on the criteria and presented a book “History and Architecture of East Hampton.” The book includes 150 houses with descriptions of each house. 59 of the houses in the book are in the historic district.
Ronald McCutcheon, Long Hill Road, stated that Middle Haddam is unique and the there is a continuity of the houses. The village is special because the houses represent the 1750’s on and there is a period of significance. By association, the village is attractive. Mr. McCutcheon stated the district is a plus for the Town of East Hampton by bringing in additional fees for Certificates of Appropriateness. He would like to keep the list where it is.
Ms. Engel indicated that the council will vote on this matter on February 23, 2010.
The Public Hearing closed at 6:47 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer Magro
Recording Secretary
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