TOWN OF OLD SAYBROOK
Historic District Commission
302 Main Street Old Saybrook, Connecticut 06475-1741
Telephone (860) 395-3131 FAX (860) 395-3125
SPECIAL MEETING
Monday, February 7, 2005 at 7:30 p.m.
Acton Public Library
60 Old Boston Post Road
I. CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chairman Robert Wendler called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL:
Seated Members Absent Members
Robert Wendler, Vice Chairman Robert Welsh, Chairman
Richard Morrison, Clerk Henri David, Alternate Member
Randi Bradbury Louise Tietjen, Alternate Member
Joan Rimkus
Pat Osborne, Alternate Member
Attending Staff
Gratia Lewis, Clerk
III. PUBLIC HEARING:
Public Hearing was held to consider the application by Sarah Ayotte for proposed replace/rebuild existing garage, replacement of garage roof, removal of existing driveway and replacement of same with crushed stone, addition of cobblestone apron at start of driveway and complete landscaping plan to include fencing at 110 North Cove Road. Richard and Sarah Ayotte presented materials showing the proposed repairs and replacements.
Discussion was held regarding the proposed changes to the garage which suffers from considerable deterioration. Richard Ayotte described in detail the condition of the garage and opinion of the engineer that the garage could be raised to replace the sills; however, it is possible that unforeseen site conditions could reveal additional rot which might result in the necessity of rebuilding the entire garage. Further discussion included clarification of the height of the garage and the architectural details and the positioning of the proposed fencing. The installation of the cedar fencing on the east side of the property addresses privacy and construction debris control issues.
Motion to accept the application, as submitted, for a Certificate of Appropriateness for 110 North Cove Road was made by P. Osborne, seconded by R. Bradbury. No further discussion and a vote was taken. In favor: R. Bradbury, R. Morrison, P. Osborne, J. Rimkus and R. Wendler. Opposed: None. Abstaining: None. The motion passed. 5-0-0.
IV. REGULAR BUSINESS:
a. Minutes
Motion to approve as written the Minutes of the December 6, 2004 OSHDC Annual Meeting was made by P. Osborne, seconded by R. Bradbury. No discussion and a vote was taken. In favor: R. Bradbury, P. Osborne and R. Wendler. Opposed: None. Abstaining: R. Morrison, J. Rimkus. The motion passed. 3-0-2.
b. Correspondence
Vice Chairman Wendler read a letter from Hillside General Contracting, LLC outlining proposed repairs and renovations to 158 North Cove Road, property of John and Sharlyn Carter. The letter to the Commission, as part of the review process associated with the building permit application, states that all the work to be done is interior in nature and not, therefore, subject to application for a Certificate of Appropriateness. Vice Chairman Wendler will confirm with the Building Department and the contractor.
c. Member Reports
R. Morrison reported on his research into tax abatement for residential historic homes. His previous investigation had indicated that unless a commercial venture such as a Bed & Breakfast was being operated in the historic home no tax abatement was available. P. Osborne and R. Bradbury noted that Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia both had tax abatement programs that might serve as a guide for a future proposal. R. Morrison will follow up. Further discussion was held regarding the possibility of voluntary periodic structural code inspections of historic homes with a tax credit for those who participated.
Discussion was held regarding the proposed formation of an additional historic district encompassing the South Green area. Vice Chairman Wendler reported on the presentation he and Chairman Welsh made at the Quarterly Land Use Meeting and the Commission reviewed a preliminary map of the area. It was the consensus of the Commission that a coffee social be held for residents within the proposed district at the June 20 Regular Meeting and that workshops prior to the March 14 and May 2 Regular Meetings be held to prepare for the June meeting. G. Lewis will arrange for suitable meeting rooms.
V. OLD BUSINESS:
Discussion was held regarding proposed bylaw changes which reflect the correction of the Commission’s title to Old Saybrook Historic District Commission and the addition of two Regular Meetings, one in February and one in May.
Motion to accept the proposed Bylaw changes as presented made by J. Rimkus, seconded by P. Osborne. No further discussion and a vote was taken. In favor: R. Bradbury, R. Morrison, P. Osborne, J. Rimkus and R. Wendler. Opposed: None. Abstaining: None. The motion passed.
5-0-0.
VI. NEW BUSINESS:
Discussion was held regarding the 2005-2006 budget. R. Morrison felt it would be helpful to have regular budget status reports and volunteered to prepare the reports in conjunction with the
accounting department.
Motion to accept the proposed 2005-2006 budget as presented was made by P. Osborne, seconded by R. Wendler. No discussion and a vote was taken. In favor: R. Bradbury, R. Morrison, P. Osborne, J. Rimkus and R. Wendler. Opposed: None. Abstaining: None. The motion passed.
5-0-0.
Discussion was held regarding the retaining wall being constructed at 191 North Cove Road. An application for a Certificate of Appropriateness has not been received by the Commission. Enforcement procedures were reviewed and it was the consensus of the Commission that Vice Chairman Wendler write a letter to the owners outlining the District’s Rules and Regulations as they pertain to retaining walls and informing the owners that a Certificate of Appropriateness was needed for this project.
R. Bradbury distributed a written precis of CT General Statutes, Section 7-147b, (j) which outlines the requirement to notify the public of the boundaries of an historic district and the properties contained within those boundaries. To that end, the statute requires the properties to be indexed by the Town Clerk “in the grantor index under the names of the owners of record of such property.” Records indicate that the boundary map of the District was recorded but that the properties were not indexed. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Commission that this omission should be corrected as soon as possible and to that end cost estimates be obtained from a number of title search professionals for review by the Commission at its March 14 meeting.
VII. ADJOURNMENT:
Motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 pm until the next regularly scheduled meeting on March 14, 2005 at 7:30 pm, meeting location to be determined, made by P. Osborne, seconded by R. Morrison. In favor: R. Bradbury, R. Morrison, P. Osborne, J. Rimkus and R. Wendler. Opposed: None. Abstaining: None. The motion passed. 5-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Gratia Lewis, Recording Clerk
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