Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting
Monday, February 5, 2007
Place: |
Memorial Town Hall, 52 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT
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Present: |
Jim Bechtel (Cochairman, Regular), Kenneth Levin (Cochairman, Regular), Barbara Traskos (Regular), Nina Peck (Regular), Elizabeth Chamberlain (Alternate), Joanne DiCamillo (Alternate), John Forbis (Alternate)
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Absent: |
Tom Keogh
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Guests |
Claire Kearney of Lymeline.com
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Agenda: |
1. Old Lyme Historic District – Public open forum 2. Old Lyme Historic District – Jim Bechtel & Ken Levin: CLG grants applications 3. 100 Lyme Street/Bee & Thistle Inn – Linnea Rufo: new outside dining area 4. 38 Lyme Street – John Caltabiano: Driveway improvements 5. 10 Lyme Street – Diane Birdsall: CofA for new sign 6. 52 Lyme Street/Town Hall – John Forbis: Town Hall expansion update 7. 22 Lyme Street – Rink Dupont: CofA for changes to the former Christ The King Church 7. 8. Old Lyme Historic District - Ken Levin & Jim Bechtel: Plaque program prototype 9. Old Lyme Historic District - Jim Bechtel & Ken Levin: CT Preservation Award 10. Old Lyme Historic District – Jim Bechtel: Demolition Delay Ordinance 11. Business news – Betty Chamberlain 12. Secretary’s report – Martha Hansen 13. Any other new or old business to come before the Commission 14. Adjournment |
The meeting was called to order at 9.15 A.M. by cochairman Ken Levin. .
A motion was made by Barbara Traskos, seconded by Ken Levin and voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the meeting on January 8, 2007 with no changes.
1. Old Lyme Historic District – Public open forum
Claire Kearney of Lymeline.com attended the meeting as an observer.
2. Old Lyme Historic District – Jim Bechtel & Ken Levin: CLG Grants Applications
Grants available to Certified Local Governments (see the minutes of the January 5, 2007 meeting):
a) $2,800 federal enhancement grants for administration or public education projects that can be completed within eighteen months (no town matching funds required).
b) The State also grants up to $30,000 for larger projects (town matching funds required).
John Forbis stated that when the Town Hall renovation is completed there will be an area in the lobby set aside as a “Welcome Center” displaying town services, town brochures and general information. The HDC will have display space there also.
Jim Bechtel stated that Janet and Thomas Bragg have applied for their property at 17 Tantummaheag to be listed as an historic house in the National Historic Trust. The original house is circa 1690. This information has been forwarded to the HDC as a courtesy.
Action: Prepare HDC application for CLG federal enhancement grant when the CLG grant package is received from the CT Culture and Tourism department. (Jim Bechtel & Ken Levin)
3. 100 Lyme Street/Bee & Thistle Inn - Linnea Rufo: New outside dining area
Linnea Rufo did not attend the meeting.
Action: Contact Linnea Rufo (Jim Bechtel)
4. 38 Lyme Street – John Caltabiano: Driveway improvements
John Caltabiano did not attend the meeting.
Action: Contact John Caltabiano (Ken Levin)
5. 10 Lyme Street – Diane Birdsall: CofA application for new sign
Diane Birdsall presented a CofA application for a new sign for her art gallery which is moving from 68 Lyme Street to 10 Lyme Street. The HDC voted to approve the CofA with the stipulation that the type on the sign be black instead of gray. The CofA is good for 60 days.
Action: Send copy of the approved CofA to Diane Birdsall (Martha Hansen)
6. 52 Lyme Street/Town Hall – John Forbis: Town Hall Expansion update
John Forbis stated that the Town Hall Expansion Project was approved by the referendum held on January 30, 2007 and thanked the HDC members for their contributions. First Selectman, Tim Griswold, was present and stated that the house at 50 Lyme Street will be demolished soon. The town is looking for temporary office space to house the departments that will be displaced during construction. This will help maintain the meeting space in the Town Hall during the renovation.
Action: Keep the HDC informed (John Forbis).
7. 22 Lyme Street – Rink Dupont: CofA application for changes to the former Christ The King Church
Rink Dupont, architect, and Michelle Mergy, owner, presented a CofA application for changes to the former Christ The King Church and for a garage to be built in the rear of the property. The main external changes are: the steeple to be replaced by a shorter tower in the Greek Revival style (similar to the church on Grassy Hill Rd), a covered entrance on the north side of the building, a small sunroom on the south side with skylights, and a single front door with sidelights instead of a double door with sidelights. The existing vinyl/aluminum siding will be removed and the original siding restored. The 2-car garage will contain a guest bedroom and bath. The HDC had issues with the sunroom skylights, the size of the tower, the existing concrete front steps and the design of the garage
doors. There will be a public hearing at the next HDC meeting on Monday, March 5.
Action: Notify neighbors and post a legal notice in the New London Day as required (Martha Hansen).
8. Old Lyme Historic District –Ken Levin & Jim Bechtel: Plaque program prototype
Ken Levin presented the finished plaque for the Hiram Marvin house at 33 Lyme Street. After some discussion the HDC voted on black as the color for the text (on a white background).
Action: Determine final cost, present plaque to Ms. Barrie, arrange for photograph of plaque on house, review plaque application form (Jim Bechtel and Ken Levin).
9. Old Lyme Historic District - Jim Bechtel & Ken Levin: CT Historic Preservation Award
It was agreed that the Florence Griswold Museum is an excellent candidate for a CT Historic Preservation Award in any one or all of the categories: Built Environment, Cultural Landscapes, or Community Service. Nominated projects must have been completed since January 1, 2005. The deadline is February 15, 2007, and a description in 750 words or less is required for each application. Endorsements from community members are also helpful. Nominations must be made by members of the CT Trust for Historic Preservation.
Action: Contact Florence Griswold Museum, Tim Griswold, State Rep. Marilyn Giuliano and State
Senator Andrea Stillman (Jim Bechtel)
10. Old Lyme Historic District – Jim Bechtel: Demolition Delay Ordinance
This will be discussed at the March 5 meeting owing to time constraints.
11. Business News – Betty Chamberlain
The CT Historic Preservation Trust has a new financing program to help fund preservation projects.
The Trust has formed the Historic Building Finance Fund to provide gap funding for historic rehabilitation.
12. Secretary’s report – Martha Hansen
Martha is becoming familiar with HDC files and procedures.
13. Any other new or old business to come before the Commission
High School Addition
Nina Peck presented very preliminary and general information about the plan for the proposed new High School buildings. The main (existing) building is in very poor condition and not (financially) worth saving. The roof leaks, the windows don’t open, the classrooms are very small, and the heating – cooling - electrical systems are in poor condition. The main (existing) High School building will continue to be used during construction of the new buildings. The existing gym and auditorium space can be renovated. The HDC is involved mainly with the vehicular entrance/exit on Lyme
Street. It would be helpful to have John Rhodes and possibly Jeff Bianco, the architect, attend the HDC meeting in March.
Action: Contact John Rhodes of LOL Schools (Jim Bechtel)
Plantings by the stone wall between the Denison property (Boro driveway) and LACFA
Ken Levin remarked on the lack of planting (bareness caused by recent loss of a large maple) between the Boro driveway and LACFA. Joanne DiCamillo thought that some small trees had been planted there but had not grown up enough to be seen well. HDC members agreed to look at the area and discuss it at the March meeting.
14. Adjournment
Jim Bechtel made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 12:30 P.M. The motion was seconded by Joanne DiCamillo and passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Hansen
Recording Secretary
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