Historic District Commission
Minutes
Land Use Meeting Room
May 5, 2009
Members present: Chair Ken Fowler, KF; Elaine Steinert, ES; Kate McNulty-Vaughan, KM-V; Jason Berger, JB
Absent with notification: Jim Harwood, JH
Staff present: Peggy Ammendola, Land Use Clerk, PA; Mary Albertson, Town Planner, MA
Legacy Banks, 25 Main St., Map 43 Map 20, new 4 square foot directional sign for ATM.
This application was presented by John Renzi of Graphic Impact, the company who would be designing the sign. Mr. Renzi stated that there is driveway access to the bank offices and other business offices on the south side of the bank. The drive for the ATM and drive-up teller is on the north side and is a one way drive. Drivers have been confused which has created a safety concern. He proposes a sign to be placed on the north side that will be to direct customers to the ATM and drive-up teller.
Mr. Renzi was advised that only one sign was allowed. The Commission felt that the sign was informational and not directional.
Discussion ensued. The Commission felt that traffic data should be provided to support the claim that there was a safety issue. It was also suggested that the Building Inspector be consulted for his opinion on if this constitutes a directional sign. If it is determined that the sign cannot be permitted, the applicants could appeal to the Zoning Board of Appeals stating that there is a hardship due to traffic flow. An option could be to remove the existing sign, and substituting it with a sign that would accomplish this proposal.
JB made a motion to continue the hearing to May 19, 2009 at 6:00 pm. ES seconded the motion and the Board voted to agree 4-0.
Melissa and Sylvain Noel, 18D Franklin St., Map 43 Parcel 190, replace an existing sign with a new sign with new name and logo. Continued from April 21, 2009 to seek approval for a second sign. The applicants notified the HDC that they would not go forward with the second sign request, therefore this hearing was cancelled.
Trinity Church, 88 Walker Street, Map 40 Parcel 39, rebuild porch of the rectory. Continued from April 21, 2009. Paul Horton, the contractor for this project, advised the HDC that he was not prepared for this continued hearing. Continued to May 19, 2009.
Cornelia Brooke Gilder and Louisa Brooke, 73 Main St. , Map 43 Parcel 62, replace the pitched sections of the roof. Continued from April 21, 2009 due to applicant’s absence.
Presenting the application was Ms. Gilder. She wishes to replace the roof with Hartford Green metal standing seam roof as her first choice. Her back up plan would be for an asphalt shingle in Weathered Wood.
JB made a motion to approve the application for either of the two roofing selections and KM-V seconded the motion. The Commission voted to approve 4-0.
Minutes:
March 3, 2009 KM-V made a motion to approve the minutes as corrected and JB seconded the motion. The Commission voted to approve 4-0.
March 17, 2009 ES made a motion to approve the minutes as corrected and JB seconded the motion. The Commission voted to approve 3-0.
Other business:
· St. Ann Church: KF advised the Commission that Father C.J. Waitikus of St. Ann Church had contacted him regarding two items. There is some stone work repair necessary to the top of the tower of the church. All of the work will be in kind. The Building Inspector has given a permit for the work. The Commission agreed that this matter did not have to come before the Commission. The second item is regarding replacing windows in the rectory. Father Waitikus will submit an application for the Commission’s review and approval.
· Open Meeting Law: KF went to a meeting regarding this law. He stated that often after a meeting has adjourned the Commission will discuss the meeting. He was informed at this presentation regarding the Law that “after discussion” is permissible provided the discussion doesn’t change the vote.
· Minutes: Discussion ensued regarding the requirements for meeting minutes. PA will research and advise the Commission of her findings.
Respectfully submitted,
Peggy Ammendola
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