Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting
Monday, October 2, 2006
Place: |
Memorial Town Hall, 52 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT
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Present: |
Jim Bechtel (Cochairman, Regular), Kenneth Levin (Cochairman, Regular), Tom Keogh (Regular), Nina Peck (Regular), Elizabeth Chamberlain (Alternate), Joanne DiCamillo (Alternate), John Forbis (Alternate)
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Absent: |
Barbara Traskos (Regular)
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Agenda: |
1. Old Lyme Historic District – Public open forum 2. 52 Lyme Street/Town Hall – John Forbis: Town Hall expansion update 3. The Historic District – Ken Levin: Plaque program 4. Business news – Betty Chamberlain 5. Secretary’s report – Anna Silberberg 6. Any other new or old business to come before the
Commission 7. Adjournment |
The meeting was called to order at 9.15 A.M. by Cochairman Ken Levin.
A motion was made by Joanne DiCamillo, seconded by John Forbis and voted unanimously to approve the minutes of September 11, 2006 with the following change: Under item 7 (last paragraph) delete “She felt the south wing (with the meeting room) was too large and that any additions to the existing building should be symmetrical.”
1. Old Lyme Historic District – Public open forum
No public participation.
2. 52 Lyme Street/Town Hall – John Forbis: Town Hall expansion update
Nina Peck analyzed the massing and proportions of the town hall expansion design noting the classical elements of the existing building (square front portico and golden rectangles on the north and south sections of the Lyme Street façade). Nina felt that the north and south additions in the new design should de “tweaked” to reflect the classical proportions of the 1921 structure.
Nina noted that there were too many main entries on Lyme Street (the main portico, the “knuckle” entry and also the new meeting room addition) and suggested eliminating the entry to the meeting room addition (enter instead through the “knuckle”). She also observed that the rear (east) façade facing the parking area is very successful. By taking advantage of the eight foot drop from Lyme Street, the design provides windows for the offices on the parking area level.
Although the scale of the expansion project relative to the neighboring homes is important, Nina wants the town hall to be a beautiful structure and stand on its own. She feels that it is acceptable for the town hall to be a bit larger in scale then its residential neighbors on either side.
Action: Nina Peck will speak to Paul Bailey, and a special HDC meeting will be scheduled for the week of October 16th (Nina Peck, Ken Levin, Jim Bechtel, Anna Silberberg).
John Forbis briefed the Commission on grant submission activities for the Town Hall Expansion and Renovation project.
Action: Review HRF (Historic Restoration Fund) grant application material (John Forbis, Jim Bechtel, Ken Levin, Anna Silberberg).
3. The Historic District – Ken Levin: Plaque program
Ken Levin presented a prototype blank plaque that seemed large when viewed in the meeting room (might be necessary to be that size to be visible and readable from the street). Jim Bechtel proposed that the plaque have a white semi-gloss background with dark lettering (Essex green, black or navy) in a Roman font – Palatino or Baskerville. Dates will include Circa (Ca.) and original owner’s name will not include house. Dates will be determined by research (including town hall records and old maps suggested by John Pfeiffer during the HDC walk on Lyme Street on September 23rd).
Action: Obtain copies of the1810 (Moses Warren) and 1857 maps from the Florence Griswold Museum (Betty Chamberlain).
Action: Produce a sample plaque for a Lyme Street structure to be determined (Ken Levin).
4. Business News – Betty Chamberlain
Betty Chamberlain mentioned that the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation is concerned about the reduction of the number of historic barns in Connecticut.
5. Secretary’s report – Anna Silberberg
No update.
6. Any other new or old business to come before the Commission
None
7. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 11.45 A.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Anna Silberberg
Recording Secretary
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