Historic District Commission
Minutes
Land Use Meeting Room
June 3, 2008
Members present: ~ Chair Ken Fowler, KF; Elaine Steinert, ES; Kate McNulty-Vaughn, KM-V;
Jason Berger, JB; Jim Harwood, JH
Staff present: Mary Albertson, MA; Peggy Ammendola, PA
Bob Romeo, 27 Church St., Map 43 Parcel 169, replace siding. Mr. Romeo gave a brief history of this property. It was built as an Episcopal Church in 1790 and had been Herrick’s Furniture Store in the mid 1900s. Mr. Romeo purchased the building in 1980. The existing siding is aluminum and vinyl. He proposed to replace all of this siding with Hardy Plank. He has not decided on a color. ES made a motion to accept the plan to put Hardy Plank on the exterior. Mr. Romeo will return at a later date with color choices for the Commission’s approval. JB seconded the motion and the Commission voted to approve 4-0. JH arrived late and was not present at this portion of the meeting.
Melissa & Sylvain Noel 18D Franklin St., Map 43 Parcel 190, relocate sign. Making the presentation was Melissa Noel. Ms. Noel’s restaurant is located in the rear of the building. The existing sign is not visible from the street. She is proposing a new free standing sign, which is to be located in the planter which abuts the sidewalk at the front of the building. The sign will be cream in color with burgundy lettering, mounted on a black post, and not swinging. The Commission felt that the sign met the aesthetics of the Historic District Guidelines, but were concerned about the placement in the proximity of the side walk. ES made a motion to approve the sign subject to approval of the Building Commissioner as to the location of the sign. JH seconded the
motion and the Commission voted to approve 5-0.
Minutes:
May 20, 2008-KM-V made a motion to approve the minutes as presented with the addition of the names of the Alta petitioners. ES seconded the motion and the Commission voted to approve 3-0. JB and JH abstained as they were not present at the May 20, 2008 meeting.
Other business:
· Violations Update-KF advised the Commission that he and MA met with
Building Commissioner Bill Thornton regarding the violations within the Historic District. Mr. Thornton has written letters yet the violations continue. He will write another letter to the violators and if there is not compliance to the second letter he will take the matter to court. KF has offered to go to court with Mr. Thornton as a representative of the HDC. The Commission will delay with the notification of other violations until they see this process through.
· Fares Khoury Building-Work is being done at the rear of the building
without approval from the HDC. It is understood that new footings are being put in place to bring the building up to code. The Commission feels that any work that is being done must be reviewed by the HDC. MA and KF will talk to the Building Commissioner to determine the procedure and report back to the HDC.
KM-V made a motion to adjourn the meeting and JH seconded the motion. The Commission voted to adjourn 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Peggy Ammendola
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