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HDCMinutes_20060918
TOWN OF OLD SAYBROOK
Historic District Commission

302 Main Street  Old Saybrook, Connecticut 06475-1741
Telephone (860) 395-3131  FAX (860) 395-3125
              
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
Monday, September 18, 2006 at 7:30 p.m.
Acton Public Library
60 Old Boston Post Road

I.        CALL TO ORDER

Acting Chairman Robert Wendler called the regular meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

II.        ROLL CALL

Attendant Members       Absent Members
Robert Wendler, Acting Chairman Henri David, Alternate Member
Randi Bradbury, Regular Member  Robert Welsh, Regular Member
Tamara Miglio, Regular Member   Richard Morrison, Regular Member
Louise Tietjen, Alternate Member

Attendant Staff                                                       
Katie Beecher, Recording Clerk                               
Christine Nelson, Town Planner

Louise Tietjen was seated.


III.    PUBLIC HEARINGS
        
        A.      ”George Pratt Residence”  (1813)  Application for Certificate of Appropriateness
                Alteration of Exhisting Principal Building – Windows & Siding
                200 North Cove Road
                Owner:  Osprey Way, LLC         Agent:  William E. Phillips
                
                Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for Renovation presented by William                    E. Phillips for himself and Barbara Smith.  They wish to make the following                                     renovations to upgrade the home’s appearance and to make the home more energy-                           efficient.

                1.  Replace the shingle siding with wood clapboard siding appropriate to the era                                during which the house was built (1813).

                2.  Replace the windows that have not previously been replaced during the kitchen                               and library renovations with wood-framed windows of the same style.

                Randi Bradbury recused herself from the public hearing because her home abuts 200                               North Cove Road.

                No comments were made by the public.

                Board members made favorable comments and the public hearing was closed.
        
MOTION to approve the “George Pratt Residence” Application for Certificate of Appropriateness Alteration of Exhisting Principal Building – Windows and Siding.          
MADE by Tamara Miglio.  SECONDED by Louise Tieten. VOTED IN FAVOR:  T. Miglio, L. Tietjen, R. Wendler; OPPOSED: none;  ABSTAINED: R. Bradbury APPROVED: 3-1-0.


IV.     REGULAR BUSINESS
        
A.      Minutes
        
        Minutes from the last meeting will be reviewed at the next scheduled meeting on                                 December 9, 2006.

   
B.      Committee, Representative & Staff Reports

                Committee Reports
                
                Representatives of the Trustees of the Congregational Church asked to speak                             regarding a letter sent to the board.  The item of concern was not on the agenda.                               They were allowed to speak after Town Planner Christine Nelson stated that their                                 concern was not on the agenda and that the proper procedure would be to schedule a                              public hearing.

                Rick Allen, Russ Jensen, Sara Skeele and Bob Skeele presented the letter sent to the                            board by the Congregational Church Trustees regarding the South Green Historic                          District.

                They requested a letter exempting the church from the Historic District.  They                                  expressed concern about the result of their request if the Historic District packet is                          sent to the state with the Congregational Church as part of the South Green Historic                             District.

                Acting Chairman Bob Wendler told the Board that he had previously met with the                          Trustees about this issue and that he told them the church would be exempt from the                     Historic District.  He stated that he did not want much public discussion of this                               matter before the public hearing as it could be detrimental to the project.  

                Randi Bradbury stated that she wants to be able to respond to public questions about                    the Historic District Commission and that she feels “out of the loop” because she                               was not aware of the meeting between Bob Wendler and the church trustees.                                        Tammy was not aware of the meeting either.

                Bob Wendler responded that Selectman Michael Pace was supposed to have                                  accompanied     him to the meeting but did not attend.  Town Planner Christine                          Nelson stated that the meeting would have been discussed during tonight’s Staff                                Reports if the trustees had not asked to speak about it first.  Randi Bradbury said she                                 would have liked to have the study commission’s report and information about the                                concerns of the Congregational Church.  She asked to be notified about all                                meetings and is willing to participate in any capacity she is able to. Bob Wendler                              stated that he checked with Zoning, Planning and the State of Connecticut before the                            church trustees were told the church could be exempt.

                Randi expressed concern that if the Congregational Church was cut out of the                                    district, other property owners could find out that they could also complain and be                             cut out.  Christine Nelson said that the State advised that the church be left out at                            this time because they are on the edge of the proposed district and later church                                leaders would ask to be included.  Bob Wendler said that he hasn’t heard from the                               Historical Society yet.

                Christine discussed the timing and procedure of public hearings as read from the                                proposed SGHD report part F, page 3.  Bob said he wants to send a letter to the                                 church trustees before the public hearing notifying them that the church will be                                 released from the Historic District plan.  The public hearing will be scheduled for                             Thursday, November 2nd with a follow up HDC meeting to be held on December 9.

                Correspondence

                Christine read the Spirit of Saybrook award invitation and a letter from Bob Welsh                              regarding the end of his term as Chairman.  There was a discussion about new HDC                                board members needed and whether they should be invited from inside the district                                 or out.  It was decided that one member was needed from the North Cove district                                 and one alternate from outside.






V.     ADJOURNMENT

MOTION: to adjourn meeting at 8:35 until the next regularly scheduled meeting on Monday December 9, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. at the Acton Public Library, 60 Old Boston Post Road. MADE by Tamara Miglio.  SECONDED by Louise Tieten. VOTED IN FAVOR:  T. Miglio, L. Tietjen, R. Wendler; OPPOSED: none;  ABSTAINED: R. Bradbury APPROVED: 3-1-0.

Respectfully Submitted,


Katie Beecher
Recording Clerk