Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting
Monday, December 3, 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), John Forbis (Alternate) |
Agenda: |
1. 9:15 |
Old Lyme Historic District – Public Open Forum |
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2. 9:30 |
HDC – Sculpture Policy draft – John Forbis |
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3. 10:00 |
49 Lyme Street – Center School Playground CofA – John Rhodes, Christopher Pomroy |
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4. 10:15 |
HDC – Town Hall Expansion update – John Forbis |
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5. 10:30 |
CLG Grants update – Jim Bechtel, John Forbis |
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6. 10:45 |
HDC - 2009 Budget update- Jim Bechtel |
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7. 11:00 |
HDC– Plaque program update – Ken Levin, Martha Hansen |
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8. 11:15 |
2 Ferry Road – Cong. Church Memorial Garden CofA – Jim Bechtel |
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9. 11:30 |
105 Lyme Street – CofA Extensions – Jim Bechtel |
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10. 11:45 |
HDC - Business News – Betty Chamberlain |
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11. 12:00 |
Secretary’s Report – Martha Hansen |
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12. 12:15 |
HDC – Any other new or old business to come before the Commission |
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13. 12:30 |
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 Joanne DiCamillo and voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the November 5, 2007 meeting with no changes.
1. Old Lyme Historic District – Public open forum
No public participation.
2. HDC – Sculpture Policy draft – John Forbis
John Forbis presented Draft 2 of the Old Lyme Historic District Sculpture Policy. John will review and incorporate the suggested revisions and prepare Draft 3 for the January meeting.
Action: Update Sculpture Policy draft (John Forbis).
3. 49 Lyme Street – Center School Playground CofA – John Rhodes, Christopher Pomroy
John Rhodes and Center School Principal, Christopher Pomroy, presented plans for additional playground equipment for the Center School. The plans include a 7’ high x 8’ long x 3’ wide metal gazebo near the northern edge of the playground, a small basketball hoop, a picnic table, and a four-person rockabout. All of the equipment is designed to encourage the participation of children using wheelchairs or walkers. The HDC approved the CofA application for 6 months pending approval by the neighbors at 47 Lyme Street. John Rhodes and Christopher Pomroy agreed to screen the play equipment with landscaping if the neighbors objected to the view.
Action: Contact the owners of 47 Lyme Street and follow up with a letter to the HDC (John Rhodes).
4. HDC - Town Hall Expansion Update – John Forbis
The Town Hall Expansion project is proceeding on schedule and on budget. It is expected that all the siding, trim and windows will be installed by mid January. The dry stone retaining wall on the south side has been completed.
Action: Keep the HDC updated (John Forbis).
5. HDC - CLG Grants update – Jim Bechtel, John Forbis
The Town of Old Lyme has been awarded two grants from the Connecticut Commission of Culture & Tourism. One grant for $200,000 for the Town Hall renovation includes: the second floor conference room, handicap accessibility and information kiosks in the lobby. The other grant, for $2,300, is being used for the research and fabrication of historic plaques for nonprofit organizations in the Historic District.
John Forbis also mentioned the possibility of applying for a $30,000 grant from the CCC&T to create marketing materials for Old Lyme institutions (including updating the Historic District Handbook and creating a booklet on the Impressionist art collection in the Town Hall).
Action: Keep the HDC updated (Jim Bechtel, John Forbis).
6. HDC – 2009 Budget & Capital Request – Jim Bechtel
Jim Bechtel has requested a budget of $5,000 for fiscal year 2009($1,000 more than in 2008). The additional funds would be used to create professional grant applications. Jim pointed out that for fiscal year 2006-2007 the HDC collected $425 in fees and was awarded $2,300 in grant money.
Action: Keep the HDC informed (Jim Bechtel).
7. HDC – Plaque Program update- Ken Levin, Martha Hansen
The Old Lyme - Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library has installed its historic plaque on the façade of the original building on Lyme Street. The Center School has received its plaque and will be installing it soon. Plaques are being created for 1 Lyme Street, the Congregational Church and the Parsonage (5 Lyme Street). Research is in progress for the Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau (57 Lyme Street), the Old Lyme Grange (55 Lyme Street) and the John Sill House (84 Lyme Street). Jim will present the drawings of the Congregational Church and Parsonage plaques to Bob McCracken, for approval.
Action: Keep the HDC updated (Ken Levin, Jim Bechtel and Martha Hansen).
8. 2 Ferry Road – Congregational Church Memorial Garden CofA – Jim Bechtel
Carol Levy contacted the HDC requesting an extension on the Congregational Church Memorial Garden CofA. The HDC agreed to extend the CofA to May 2008 (6 months).
Action: Notify Carol Levy and the Congregational Church about the CofA extension (Martha Hansen).
9. 105 Lyme Street – CofA Extensions – Jim Bechtel
There are four CofAs outstanding for 105 Lyme Street: driveway improvements, fence replacement along Lyme Street, new balustrade and walkway renovations. As the work has not been completed, the CofAs have been extended to May 2008 (6 months).
The HDC discussed the need for a process (perhaps a tickler file) to check expiration dates and issue extensions of CofAs if required. All CofAs will now include: “All changes must be brought to the attention of the HDC” (to be placed at the bottom of the CofA form).
Action: Notify Jill Todd and create tickler file (Martha Hansen).
10. HDC - Business News – Betty Chamberlain
Betty Chamberlain brought the November/December 2007 issue of the Connecticut Preservation News.
11. HDC - Secretary’s Report - Martha Hansen
Martha has completed the research on the Grange building. It was built by the Old Lyme Gun Club (circa 1885) and was purchased by the Grange Aid Society in 1910. In 1928 it was moved from its original location on Maple Avenue to its present location at 55 Lyme Street. The Old Lyme Grange will be shown a proof of the plaque for its approval (Old Lyme Gun Club ca. 1885 – relocated 1928).
The 2008 meeting schedule has been filed with the Town Clerk. The HDC will meet at 9:00 A.M. as of January 7, 2008.
Action: Contact Jean Stands about the proposed plaque design (Martha Hansen).
12. HDC – Any other new or old business to come before the Commission
Joanne DiCamillo asked about the future expansion of I-95 and the preservation of the stone overpass crossing Lyme Street. The HDC would like to preserve the stone façade if and when I-95 is expanded. Jim Bechtel will call Tim Griswold for an update on the DOT plan.
13. Adjournment
Tom Keogh made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 11:45 A.M. The motion was seconded by Joanne DiCamillo and passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Hansen
Recording Secretary
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