Historic District Commission
Minutes
Land Use Meeting Room
October 2, 2012
Members present: Chair Jason Berger, JB; Ken Fowler, KF; Lucy Kennedy, LK
Absent with notification: Steve Sample, SS
Recusal: Elaine Steinert, ES, as she is a Trustee of Church on the Hill.
Staff present: Peggy Ammendola, PA
Courtney Gilardi, Church on the Hill chapel, 55 Main St., Map 43 Parcel 60, replace eight windows, six over one style, that are located in the basement space of the chapel. The first meeting was held September 18, 2012. After the presentation and discussion, the Commission decided to have a site visit and scheduled the continuation meeting to October 2, 2012 with the site visit at 5:30 PM.
The Mullin Rule was invoked. JB, who was not at the meeting of September 18th, listened to the audio and went to the site on his own.
Present were Courtney Gilardi, Steve Morrison and Steve Alger of Morrison Home Improvement. Mr. Morrison provided a sample vinyl window. He told the Commission that there are three types of windows and three different grid patterns currently in place at the chapel. There are some replacement windows, some are wood and some windows are original. He said that he could use wood for replacement, but the proposed vinyl product is three times more efficient, is more durable, lasts longer and looks like wood.
LK read the following from the Historic District Guidelines:
33. Windows-
Windows are one of the most distinctive character-defining features of a building. Original or historic windows shall be retained, restored or repaired where possible.
Replacement of windows should occur only if the existing windows are beyond repair. Wood windows are preferred. The use of vinyl-clad and metal-framed windows may be approved on a case by case basis. Only clear-paned non-tinted glass shall be used (except to replace original stained glass). Mirrored and tinted heat-reflective glass is not appropriate.
Where original or architecturally appropriate windows have been replaced by windows of a different pattern, the Commission encourages the restoration of the appropriate window patterns.
With regards to the existing trim, Mr. Morrison had proposed encapsulating it with aluminum. The trim paint contains lead, and scrapping it to prepare for paint would disturb the lead and possibly contaminate the soil. The Commission expressed concern that due to the nature of the aluminum sheathing it could not follow the detail of the trim. The Commission proposed the removal of the trim and replacement.
Mr. Morrison said that he could “balloon” each window so that the lead disturbed is contained and remove the trim. He could then re-trim using an extruded composite product similar to Azek. He stated that the trim duplicates the look of wood and that when painted one could not detect a difference.
LK said that as other windows are replaced, she would like for them to be done in the identical manner as the approved windows. JB and KF explained that they can only deal with the application that is before them and cannot make that stipulation.
JB made a motion to accept the application with the understanding that the windows and trim will both match with the existing, the windows can be vinyl, white in color, and the trim needs to be Azek that will match the existing trim and that if there are any issues requiring a change for the trim, the applicant will return to the Commission for approval. The motion was amended to read “Azek type of material” KF seconded the motion and the Commission voted to agree 3-0.
Approve Minutes:
June 5, 2012: Tabled since June 19, 2012 until JB, CC & SS are available.
June 19, 2012: Tabled since July 17, 2012 until SS, CC & JB are available.
August 7, 2012: Tabled since September 4, 2012 until JB, SS & LK are available.
September 4, 2012: Tabled since September 18, 2012 until SS, ES & LK are available.
September 18, 2012: Tabled until SS, KF & LK are available.
Respectfully submitted,
Peggy Ammendola
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