Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting
Monday, April 7, 2008
Place: |
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LACFA, 84 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT |
Present: |
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Kenneth Levin (Cochairman, Regular), Barbara Traskos (Regular), Elizabeth Chamberlain (Alternate), John Forbis (Alternate), Joanne DiCamillo (Alternate) |
Absent: |
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Jim Bechtel (Cochairman, Regular), Nina Peck (Regular), Tom Keogh (Regular) |
Guests: |
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Tom Schellens - OLHSI |
Agenda: |
9:00 |
Old Lyme Historic District – Public Open Forum |
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9:15 |
HDC – Church Corner –Ken Levin |
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9:30 |
HDC– Plaque program update – Ken Levin, Martha Hansen |
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10:00 |
68 Lyme Street- Air conditioner CofA – Ray Steinbach |
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10:15 |
2 Ferry Road – Congregational Church hedge removal CofA |
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10:30 |
62 Lyme Street –Privacy fence CofA |
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10:45 |
HDC – Town Hall Expansion update– John Forbis |
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11:00 |
Business News (CT Trust, National Trust) – Betty Chamberlain |
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11:15 |
Secretary’s Report – Martha Hansen |
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11:30 |
Any other new or old business to come before the Commission |
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11:45 |
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 Joanne DiCamillo and voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the March 18, 2008 meeting with no changes.
1. Old Lyme Historic District – Public Open Forum
Old Lyme Historical Society - Tom Schellens presented the design for an informational plaque (history of Sill House – 84 Lyme Street) approximately 36” to 40” high in dark bronze (base and plaque) with cream lettering to be installed in front of Sill House (behind the iron fence). It was suggested that the color of the base and plaque be changed to black (instead of dark bronze).
Action: Submit a CofA indicating height, placement and color (Tom Schellens).
2. HDC – Church Corner –Ken Levin
A STEAP (Connecticut Small Town Economic Assistance Program) grant of $425,000 has been approved for the projected improvements to Lyme Street, Ferry Road and McCurdy Road (church corner). The recommendations made by the HDC on March 18th will be reviewed at the Church Corner Committee meeting on April 16th.
Action: Attend the Church Corner meeting (Joanne DiCamillo and Ken Levin).
3. HDC – Plaque Program update - Ken Levin, Martha Hansen
The plaque for the Grange (Old Lyme Gun Club - ca 1885 - relocated 1928) has been delivered to Jean Stands, Grange Secretary.
The plaques for the Parsonage (Captain Samuel Mather - ca. 1790) and the Congregational Church (The Meetinghouse of the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme - ca 1817 - rebuilt 1910) are on order.
The house at 8 Lyme Street conforms to a Sears Roebuck “Lexington” Model home offered for sale between 1927 and 1932. The owners have been asked to check the joists for the presence of stamped numbers which would provide additional proof of a Sears Roebuck house.
The Masonic Hall at 20 Lyme Street and the LYSB building at 59 Lyme Street are being researched.
Action: Keep the HDC updated (Ken Levin and Martha Hansen).
4. 68 Lyme Street- Air conditioner CofA – Ray Steinbach
Ray Steinbach submitted a CofA application to install a ductless air-conditioning unit in “Gourmet Today.” The compressor would be in the rear of the building (not visible from Lyme Street). White leader pipes will be installed on the north façade of the building.
The HDC approved the CofA (valid for 3 months).
5. Congregational Church – Parish Hall Fence Hedge – Emily Griswold
Emily Griswold submitted a CofA application for the removal of the arborvitae hedge (behind the Congregational Church Parish Hall fence) to be replaced by ilex.
The HDC approved the CofA (valid for 7 months).
6. 62 Lyme Street – CofA application for privacy fence
Jonathan and Denise Collins submitted a CofA application for the installation of a privacy 6’ high cedar fence (tongue and groove boards with a flat top) surrounding the south, west and north borders of their property (with an opening to the west).
The HDC would like to know: a) will the fence be painted, stained or left to weather naturally? b) which side of the fence will face the neighbors? Ken Levin will photograph the proposed fence location. The decision will be made at the May meeting.
Action: Call Denise Collins for additional information (Martha Hansen). Take photos of the proposed fence area (Ken Levin).
7. HDC - Town Hall Expansion Update – John Forbis
The new stairs have been installed and the second floor trusses cleaned. The nursery plants have been relocated to make way for the paving of the rear parking lot. The color of the Town Hall will remain white. John agreed to have the construction site cleaned up and the plastic removed from the tree at the request of several commission members. The project is on schedule and within budget.
Action: Keep the HDC updated (John Forbis).
8. Business News (CT Trust, National Trust) – Betty Chamberlain
Betty Chamberlain reported that the Florence Griswold Museum dining room is featured in the Connecticut Trust 2008 calendar. The Connecticut Trust will hold its annual meeting on April 28th at the Hillstead Museum in Farmington.
9. HDC - Secretary’s Report - Martha Hansen
Martha Hansen reported that the HDC’s memberships in the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Connecticut Trust have been renewed for one year.
10. HDC – Any other new or old business to come before the Commission
Joanne DiCamillo reported that the Tree Commission has arranged for the north side of the Ferry Road/Route 156 corner to be cleared of brush. The invasive shrubs will be removed and the dogwoods and euonymus trimmed. A gate will be installed at the fire well access from Ferry Road to prevent public parking.
11. Adjournment
Barbara Traskos moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:45 A.M. The motion was seconded by Betty Chamberlain and passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Hansen
Recording Secretary
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