Historic District Commission
Minutes
Land Use Meeting Room
June 1, 2010
Members present: Chair Ken Fowler, KF; Jason Berger, JB; Steve Sample, SS; Elaine Steinert, ES
Member absent with notification: Jim Harwood, JH
Staff present: Peggy Ammendola, Land Use Clerk, PA
Deborah Raptopoulos, 8 Franklin Street, Map 43 Parcel 191, the location of Haven. Replace the existing front doors with two 36” wide doors. Continued from May 4, 2010 (Applicant called in advance of meeting to request that this meeting be rescheduled to May 18, 2010. Continued again to June 1, 2010.
Shelly Williams presented the application. She stated that the replacements are fiberglass doors. The hardware has not yet been selected. The existing doors and the proposed replacement doors are the same size. Initially she said that the doors would be mahogany in color. After some discussion white was thought to be a better color as it would match the surrounding trim.
JH made a motion to accept the doors in white in the size to match the existing doors, possibly sized 36” x 80” in the Smooth-Star door system. SS seconded the motion and the Commission voted to approve 4-1 with KF voting against.
Birchwood Inn, 7 Hubbard Street, Map 46 Parcels 31. Fence demolition.
Continued from May 18, 2010. Site visit was on May 21, 2010 at 5:30 pm.
At the request of the HDC, the Building Commissioner Bill Thornton attended the site visit with the Commissioners. As a result of his inspection of the wall, Mr. Thornton wrote a letter dated May 24, 2010 to the owner, Ellen Chenaux, demanding that the wall be removed or made safe immediately. In his letter he stated that the wood wall interior and support system of the stucco wall has been exposed to the elements for years and has deteriorated to the point that it is dangerous to life and limb. If Ms. Chenaux did not comply with the order, a Board of Survey would be established to enforce the removal.
Suzanne Pelton, a member of the Historical Commission, was asked by KF if she found anything about this wall that would confirm that it was historic. She had not, but she expressed that the wall was in place at the time of the formation of the Historic District, and therefore it was her belief that the wall should be restored. She feels that the owner should have to provide papers to show the cost of repair versus cost of tearing it down and then if she finds that she cannot afford, she should provide that documentation.
Ms. Pelton, when asked by KF if she was speaking for the Historical Commission, she responded in the affirmative. KF reminder her that he has asked in the past for her to provide a letter from the HC authorizing her to represent the HC and without authorization, she could only speak as a private citizen.
Ms. Chenaux says that it has to be rebuilt, as it is in disrepair.
JH commented that the wall existed prior to the formation of the HDC but the house is much older than the wall. With the wall’s removal, the historically significant Birchwood Inn would be visible from the street. He said that it would be desirable if a portion of the wall could be kept with the gate to have as a historic reference. He also pointed out that with the removal of the wall, the parking area now will be visible.
JB made a motion to accept the application for the demolition as presented. SS seconded the motion and the Commission voted to approve 4-0-1. JH was not at the first meeting, but listened to the tape and participated in the site visit. ES abstained as she was not at the first meeting and did not listen to the tape but was at the site visit.
Minutes-May 18, 2010: JB made a motion to approve the minutes as presented and SS seconded the motion. The Commission voted to approve 5-0.
Reorganization
JH made a motion to appoint JB as Chair and SS seconded the motion. The Commission voted to approve 5-0.
SS made a motion to appoint JH as Vice Chair and JB seconded the motion. The Commission voted to approve 5-0.
Claire Cantone was present to observe as she is considering becoming an alternate.
Respectfully submitted,
Peggy Ammendola
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