Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting
Monday, October 1, 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), Joanne DiCamillo (Alternate), Elizabeth Chamberlain (Alternate) |
Absent: |
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John Forbis |
Agenda: |
1. 9:15 |
Old Lyme Historic District – Public Open Forum |
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2. 9:30 |
HDC– Plaque program update – Ken Levin |
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3. 9:45 |
HDC- Demolition Delay Ordinance – Tom Keogh |
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4. 10:00 |
96 Lyme Street – Florence Griswold Museum barn – Jeff Andersen |
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5. 10:15 |
HDC – CLG Grants (2) update – Ken Levin, Jim Bechtel, John Forbis |
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6. 10:30 |
62 Lyme Street – Chimney & window additions – Jim Plyler |
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7. 10:45 |
HDC – Sculpture Policy draft – John Forbis |
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8. 11:00 |
Town Hall Expansion Update – John Forbis |
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9. 11:15 |
HDC - Business News – Betty Chamberlain |
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10. 11:30 |
Secretary’s Report – Martha Hansen |
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11. 11:45 |
HDC – Any other new or old business to come before the Commission |
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12. 12:00 |
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 Tom Keogh and voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the September 10, 2007 meeting with no changes.
1. Old Lyme Historic District – Public open forum
No public participation.
2. HDC – Plaque Program update- Ken Levin
The Lyme Art Association has applied for a historic plaque and has provided the required research. Other nonprofit organizations in the Historic District expressing interest in the plaques to be paid for by a grant from the Connecticut Commission for Culture and Tourism include: The Congregational Church and Parsonage, Center School, the Old Lyme Grange and LYSB. Fred Osborne, president of LACFA, has also expressed interest in a plaque for Sill House.
Action: Contact Jean Stands concerning the Grange (55 Lyme Street) history; contact Betsey & Bob Webster concerning the Congregational Church (4 Lyme Street) and Parsonage (5 Lyme Street) histories (Martha Hansen).
3. HDC – Demolition Delay Ordinance – Tom Keogh
Tom Keogh read the letter he drafted to Ron Rose of the Building Department requesting that the HDC be notified of any demolition permit applications for historical (pre WWII-1939) structures both inside and outside the Historic District.
Action: Send the letter to Ron Rose, with copies to Tim Griswold, zoning officials, John Pfeiffer, and the Lyme and Old Lyme Historical Societies (Martha Hansen).
4. 96 Lyme Street – Florence Griswold Museum barn renovation – Jeff Andersen
Jeff Andersen, director of the Florence Griswold Museum, accompanied by his assistant, Donna Carlson, and facilities manager, Ted Gaffney, presented a proposal to renovate the barn located between the FG house and Krieble Gallery on the Museum property. The barn would be restored to its circa 1900 appearance with the help of period paintings and an architect with historic restoration experience. The renovated barn will contain exhibits on landscape and garden history and will also be used as a workspace for garden volunteers. Although the barn is outside the Historic District (more than 300 feet from Lyme Street) the support of the HDC would be valuable in helping the museum to receive a grant from the Connecticut Commission of Culture & Tourism to fund the project. The HDC agreed to provide a letter
endorsing the project.
Action: Compose a letter endorsing the barn restoration (Jim Bechtel).
5. HDC - Grant updates – Ken Levin, Jim Bechtel, and John Forbis
The paperwork is being completed for the $2,300 grant to fund the research and fabrication of historic plaques for nonprofit organizations in the Historic District.
Action: Keep the HDC informed (Ken Levin, Jim Bechtel, John Forbis).
6. 62 Lyme Street- Chimney & window additions - Jim Plyler
Jim Plyler (representing the owners, Denise & Jonathan Collins) submitted a CofA application and a drawing for the addition of 2 windows and a chimney to the east side of the north wing of 62 Lyme Street. The windows will match the existing two over two windows on the rest of the residence and the chimney will be made of Robinson’s “Cambridge” brick. Barbara Traskos made a motion to approve the CofA. Betty Chamberlain seconded the motion and the HDC members voted to approve the CofA for a period of nine months.
7. HDC – Sculpture Policy draft – John Forbis
The sculpture policy discussion will be held at the November meeting.
8. HDC - Town Hall Expansion Update – John Forbis
The town hall expansion update will take place at the November meeting.
9. HDC - Business News – Betty Chamberlain
Betty Chamberlain presented an article about sculpture policy from the September/October 2007 edition of the Connecticut Preservation News. The Connecticut Supreme Court ruled that Historic District Commissions have the power to regulate outdoor sculptures in local Historic Districts.
On Saturday, October 20th there will be a scenic history tour of Groton and Stonington by the Antiquarian & Landmarks Society.
The Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation will be holding a Save Our Connecticut Barns benefit gala on Thursday, October 11th at the Wadsworth Mansion in Middletown, CT.
10. HDC - Secretary’s Report - Martha Hansen
A welcome packet containing an Historic District handbook and plaque program information will be sent to Jonathan and Denise Collins, new owners of 62 Lyme Street.
The Harbor management plan was discussed briefly, but the location of docks and related structures are outside the Historic District (more than 300 feet from Lyme Street).
11. HDC – Any other new or old business to come before the Commission
Joanne DiCamillo stated that the Christ the King Church will be installing a religious sculpture near the sanctuary (more than 300 feet from Lyme Street and McCurdy Road).
12. Adjournment
Jim Bechtel made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 11:15. The motion was seconded by Tom Keogh and passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Hansen
Recording Secretary
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