Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting
Monday, June 4, 2007
Place: |
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LACFA, 84 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT |
Present: |
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Jim Bechtel (Cochairman, Regular), Kenneth Levin (Cochairman, Regular), Barbara Traskos (Regular), Tom Keogh (Regular), Nina Peck (Regular), Elizabeth Chamberlain (Alternate), John Forbis (Alternate) |
Absent: |
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Joanne DiCamillo (Alternate) |
Guests: |
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Gil Boro |
Agenda: |
1. 9:15 |
Old Lyme Historic District – Public Open Forum |
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2. 9:20 |
52 Lyme Street – Town Hall Expansion update – John Forbis |
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3. 9:30 |
HDC – Plaque program update – Ken Levin |
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4. 10:00 |
HDC – Sculpture Policy discussion – Ken Levin & Jim Bechtel |
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5. 10:30 |
2 Sill Lane – Stone wall to replace picket fence – Jamie Childs |
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6. 11:00 |
100 Lyme Street – The Bee & Thistle Inn sculpture walk – Linnea Rufo |
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7. 11:15 |
HDC - Business News – Betty Chamberlain |
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8. 11:30 |
Secretary’s Report – Martha Hansen |
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9. 11:45 |
HDC – Any other new or old business to come before the Commission (CLG Grants) |
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10. 12:00 |
Adjournment |
The meeting was called to order at 9:15 A.M. by Cochairman Ken Levin. A motion was made by Jim Bechtel, seconded by Elizabeth Chamberlain and voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the May 7, 2007 meeting with no changes.
1. Old Lyme Historic District – Public open forum
No public participation.
2. Town Hall Expansion update – John Forbis
Although additional asbestos was found during demolition, the renovation is proceeding on schedule. The memorial stone located behind the flagpole has been moved to a temporary location during the renovation.
Action: Keep the HDC informed (John Forbis).
3. HDC – Plaque Program update- Ken Levin
The summer 2007 edition of the Old Lyme Tymes contained an article about the HDC plaque program. A letter explaining the plaque program, including an application form and a photo of the plaque, has been sent to qualified Historic District property owners. A plaque has been installed on the Marvin family house at 1 McCurdy Road (South Green). Muffy Whitley of 56 Lyme Street contacted Ken Levin for advice on researching the history of her house. As historical property research can be a complicated and confusing process, a standardized form might be helpful in establishing the names of the original owners and dates of construction (to be used at the Old Lyme and Lyme land records).
Action: Prepare a standardized historical research form (Martha Hansen & Ken Levin).
4. HDC – Sculpture Policy Discussion – Ken Levin & Jim Bechtel
The HDC discussed the sculpture policy of the Historic District. The Commission wants to insure that Lyme Street remains simple and uncluttered. Lyme Street resident and sculptor, Gil Boro, participated in the sculpture policy discussion. Sculptures that are more than 300 feet from Lyme Street and those that are screened from view are not a problem. Due to time constraints, the discussion will be continued at the July 9 meeting. Gil Boro was invited back to attend the next meeting.
Action: Invite Fred Osborne (president of LACFA) to the July 9 meeting (Jim Bechtel).
5. 2 Sill Lane – Stone wall to replace picket fence – Jamie Childs
Jamie Childs reappeared before the Commission with his request to replace the white picket fence in front of his house (facing Sill Lane) with a stone wall similar to the Noyes’ wall to the south of the Childs’ property. He presented pictures of stone walls on Lyme Street and Sill Lane. Since the last meeting, HDC members have been looking at stone walls in the Lyme Street/Sill Lane area. While some members felt that the existing fence was more compatible with the sophistication of the house, the HDC approved the homeowner’s request with the following conditions for the stone wall: native, weathered fieldstone; dry set; have a soft, tumbled look to match walls in the surrounding area.
6. 100 Lyme Street – The Bee & Thistle Inn sculpture walk – Linnea Rufo
David and Linnea Rufo appeared before the Commission to discuss extending the end date of the Bee & Thistle’s sculpture garden to September 30th. The Commission had agreed, in a May 7th letter to Ms Rufo, to a July 7th removal date. The Commission gave permission for the extension but reiterated its concerns about sculpture in the District and did not award Ms. Rufo a CofA. As discussed earlier in the meeting, the Commission is working on crafting a policy with the input of local art institutions and artists. Once the policy is determined, an addendum to the OLHD handbook will be printed and distributed.
7. HDC - Business News – Betty Chamberlain
The HDC membership to the Connecticut Trust needs to be renewed. HDC members would like to receive individual copies of the newsletter.
Action: Renew CT Trust Membership and request individual copies of the newsletter for HDC members (Martha Hansen).
8. HDC - Secretary’s Report - Martha Hansen
No news to report.
9. HDC – Any other new or old business to come before the Commission (CLG grants, Gil Boro driveway plantings)
The deadline for applying for the two CLG grants is June 15. The HDC is interested in the Enhancement grant money (up to $2,800) to cover the research of the nonprofit buildings in the District and pay for plaques for those buildings. The larger Supplemental grant money (up to $30,000 with a matching requirement) would be used to fabricate and install literature holders in the Town Hall lobby.
Action: Contact Mary Donohue at the CT Commission on Culture & Tourism and inquire if these programs qualify before starting the application process (Jim Bechtel and John Forbis).
Gil Boro presented a plan to plant birch trees and tall grasses along his driveway between LACFA and the Denison property. This will soften the approach and help to screen the Denison’s outbuilding and propane tank area. The Commission was pleased with the plan and requested that Mr. Boro review it with his neighbor before implementation.
Action: Contact Gil Boro and request that he submit a CofA for the landscaping plan (Jim Bechtel).
10. Adjournment
Barbara Traskos made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 11:50 A.M. The motion was seconded by Jim Bechtel and passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Hansen
Recording Secretary
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