Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting
Monday, October 6, 2008
Place: |
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Memorial Town Hall, 52 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT |
Present: |
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Kenneth Levin (Cochairman, Regular), Jim Bechtel (Cochairman, Regular), Barbara Traskos (Regular), Tom Keogh (Regular), Joanne DiCamillo (Alternate), John Forbis (Alternate), Elizabeth Chamberlain (Alternate) |
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Absent: |
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Nina Peck (Regular) |
Agenda: |
9:00 |
Old Lyme Historic District – Public Open Forum |
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9:15 |
HDC– Plaque program update – Ken Levin, Martha Hansen |
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9:30 |
Mergy Contribution Acknowledgement – Ken Levin, Jim Bechtel |
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9:45 |
HDC - I-95 Corridor Task Force suggestions–Jim Bechtel |
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10:00 |
Chamber of Commerce bench update– Ken Levin |
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10:15 |
Sign Policy Discussion – John Forbis |
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10:45 |
Business News (CT Trust, National Trust) – Betty Chamberlain |
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11:00 |
Secretary’s Report – Martha Hansen |
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11:15 |
Any other new or old business to come before the Commission (Sedgwick letter) |
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11:30 |
Adjournment |
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 A.M. by Cochairman Ken Levin. A motion was made by Jim Bechtel
and seconded by Tom Keogh to approve the minutes of the September 8, 2008 meeting with no changes. All present voted in favor except for Joanne DiCamillo who abstained as she had not attended the September meeting.
1. Old Lyme Historic District – Public Open Forum
No public participation.
2. HDC – Plaque Program update - Ken Levin, Martha Hansen
Twelve plaques have been provided for nonprofit organizations in the Historic District as a result of a $2,300 grant from the Connecticut Commission for Culture & Tourism. Plaques have been installed on the Center School, OLPGN Library, the Sill House at LACFA, The Lyme Art Association, Christ the King Church Rectory and the Masonic Hall. The Congregational Church, the Parsonage, Old Lyme Grange Hall, Lymes Youth Service Bureau, Old Lyme Children’s Learning Center and Town Hall have received plaques that have not yet been installed.
Structures built before 1939 (pre-WWII) in Old Lyme (not limited to the HD) are eligible for historic plaques. Applications and information are available on the Historic District Commission’s Web site. Applicants are responsible for researching the property. After approval (by the HDC) of the original owner’s name and date of construction, applicants can order plaques from Computer Signs in Old Saybrook. Presently, plaques cost $115 plus tax.
Action: Keep the HDC updated (Ken Levin, Martha Hansen).
3. Mergy Contribution Acknowledgment – Ken Levin, Jim Bechtel
Lee and Michelle Mergy have requested historic plaques for their properties at 22 and 30 Lyme Street. They have made a donation of $1,000 to the Historic District Commission to cover the cost of the plaques and research. The HDC would like to use the remaining tax deductible portion of the donation to promote the Historic Plaque Program in the Historic District.
Action: Check IRS tax laws regarding tax deductible donations to municipalities (Tom Keogh).
4. I-95 Corridor Task Force Suggestions – Jim Bechtel
Jim Bechtel contacted Mary Donohue of the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism to see how other Historic Districts have handled similar interstate highway expansions. At her recommendation, Jim contacted David Poirier of the Environmental Review Office and requested that he attend an HDC meeting to explain the process and answer questions. Tom Keogh pointed out that the project would have to meet both State and Federal requirements.
The HDC will recommend members of a task force to study the expansion as it affects Old Lyme. Suggested members of the task force would include representatives from: HDC, Chamber of Commerce, Merchants Association, the Conservation Commission, LACFA, LAA, Old Lyme Inn, Tree Commission, The Connecticut River Gateway Commission and local neighbors.
Joanne DiCamillo recommended contacting someone at the Meritt Parkway Conservancy for advice. They were influential in preserving the unique stone-faced bridges on the Meritt parkway during the recent expansion.
Jim Bechtel proposed sending Tim a brief letter referring to the minutes and making suggestions.
Action: Propose names for the task force (all members).
Write Tim Griswold a letter and follow-up with another call to David Poirier (Jim Bechtel).
5. Chamber of Commerce Bench update – Ken Levin
Joanne DiCamillo, a member of the Duck River Garden Club, reported that the Club plans to landscape the corner of Halls Road and Lyme Street after the post office landscaping project is finished. They will present the landscaping plan to the HDC for approval. Joanne agreed to speak to Glynn McAraw, the Garden Club’s Planting Chairman, and Sheila Wertheimer about the CofC bench and also the adjoining Duck River Garden Club planter.
Action: Speak to Glynn McAraw and Sheila Wertheimer about the bench and planter (Joanne DiCamillo).
6. HDC – Sign Policy Discussion – John Forbis
John Forbis distributed an outline of special issues pertaining to signs in the HD. Following discussion, John offered to write the first section of the sign policy defining the position of the HDC. The Commission decided not to have signs marking the Historic District except for the existing sign on Route 156 and Ferry Road. The discussion will continue at the November meeting.
Action: Prepare first section of sign policy (John Forbis).
7. Business News (CT Trust, National Trust) – Betty Chamberlain
No report.
8. HDC - Secretary’s Report - Martha Hansen
The annual CLG Report has been filed. The CCT Grant Final Report has been submitted. There are new FOI rules as of October 1, 2008 that require agendas and minutes to be posted on the town Web site in the same time frame as they are filed with the town clerk (agendas should be filed at least 24 hrs prior to a meeting and minutes should be filed within 7 days after a meeting). There was a question about whether the HDC is required to file an annual report to the State Historic Commission in addition to the annual CLG Report.
Action: Check on reporting procedures with the State Historic Commission (Martha Hansen).
9. HDC – Any other new or old business to come before the Commission
a. Sedgwick letter – Tom Keogh wrote a letter to Robin Sedgwick confirming the HDC’s opinion (see HDC minutes 09/08/2008) that her house at 23 Ferry Road is of historic value. Copies of the letter were given to Ann Brown of Zoning and to the Land Use office.
b. LACFA Propane Tank
The Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts submitted a CofA application to install a propane tank behind the building, out of sight of Lyme Street. Jim Bechtel moved to approve the CofA, Joanne DiCamillo seconded the motion which was approved unanimously.
Action: Call Charles Orcutt at the LACFA (Jim Bechtel).
c. Boxwood Propane Tank
Craig Silver contacted Ken Levin about installing an underground propane tank in the area surrounded by privet hedges in the front of the entry to Boxwood (between Lyme Street and the front door). The only installation visible will be a dome about 6” to 8” high and 12” in diameter. If too visible, Craig promised to conceal the dome by painting and/or planting shrubs.
Action: Contact Craig Silver to ask him to submit a Cof A and also ask about possible damage to privet roots (Ken Levin).
d. CofA extension for 21 Lyme Street
The HDC granted a six month extension to expire on April 1, 2009 to Paul Sagristano for his planned renovation.
10. Adjournment
John Forbis moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:40 AM. The motion was seconded by Jim Bechtel and passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Hansen
Recording Secretary
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