Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting
Monday, September 8, 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), John Forbis (Alternate), Elizabeth Chamberlain (Alternate) |
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Absent: |
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Nina Peck (Regular), Joanne DiCamillo (Alternate) |
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 |
HDC - I-95 Corridor update –Jim Bechtel, Tim Griswold |
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10:00 |
30 Lyme Street – Revised plans for Rectory – Jim Bechtel |
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10:30 |
Sign Policy Discussion – John Forbis |
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11:00 |
Chamber of Commerce bench – Charlie Delinks |
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11:15 |
HDC – Town Hall Expansion update– John Forbis |
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11:30 |
Business News (CT Trust, National Trust) – Betty Chamberlain |
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11:45 |
Secretary’s Report – Martha Hansen |
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12:00 |
Any other new or old business to come before the Commission |
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12:15 |
Adjournment |
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 A.M. by Cochairman Jim Bechtel. A motion was made by Tom Keogh and seconded by Barbara Traskos to approve the minutes of the August 4, 2008 meeting with no changes.
1. Old Lyme Historic District – Public Open Forum
Although outside the HD, Robin Sedgwick presented land records research concerning 23 Ferry Road. Based on the research, she requested that the HDC constitute the house as an historic property in order to obtain a zoning variance to proceed with renovations to the entryway and roof of the house without having to comply with the current building code in terms of flood zone construction. Her builder, Joe Shea, also attended and presented plans for the proposed renovations. Tom Keogh will compose a letter with a copy to Ann Brown, Zoning Enforcement Officer, stating that, according to the HDC, the house (known as the Thomas Ball house) is of historic value.
Action: Write a letter to Robin Sedgwick (copy to Ann Brown) constituting 23 Ferry Road as an historic property (Tom Keogh).
2. HDC – Plaque Program update - Ken Levin, Martha Hansen
a. The plaque for 20 Lyme Street (Masonic Lodge - ca. 1919) has been installed.
b. The plaque for 1 Lyme Street (Tinker-McCurdy - ca. 1700) has been installed.
c. The research for 57 Lyme Street (William Tooker - ca. 1860) has been completed.
d. The research for 59 Lyme Street (James Burnette – ca. 1850) has been completed.
Lee Mergy has donated $1,000 to the Historic District Commission and has applied for plaques for his properties at 22 and 30 Lyme Street.
Action: Order plaques for 57 & 59 Lyme Street (Ken Levin). Finish research on 22 & 30 Lyme Street and send a letter to Lee Mergy confirming, for tax purposes, his donation to the HDC (Martha Hansen).
3. I-95 Corridor – Ken Levin, Jim Bechtel, Tim Griswold
The proposed expansion of I-95 and its impact on Old Lyme and the Historic District was discussed. First Selectman, Tim Griswold, agreed that it would be a good idea to form a task force to study the project before the plans are finalized. A representative from the HDC would be on the task force. Mr. Griswold asked the members of the HDC to consider other Old Lyme groups to be represented on the task force.
Action: Propose names for the task force (all members).
4. 30 Lyme Street – Revised plans for Rectory – Jim Bechtel
Lee Mergy submitted the revised plans for the renovation of the former Rectory at 30 Lyme Street. The original design has been simplified – the garage will have a gable instead of a hip roof and the belvedere tower has been eliminated. In addition, the south side entry porch has been slightly modified. John Forbis moved to approve the new plan and modify the original CofA. Betty Chamberlain seconded the motion which was unanimously approved.
Action: Mail copy of the modified CofA to Lee Mergy with copies to Zoning and Land Use (Martha Hansen).
5. HDC – Sign Policy Discussion – John Forbis
John Forbis distributed a list of signs in the HD, a copy of the HDC’s current sign policy, and a copy of Old Lyme’s Zoning Regulations regarding signs. The HDC discussed the advantages of having a theme for HD signage. Currently, in the HD, there are 13 post & arm style signs and 15 historic plaques. HDC members are encouraged to view signage in other Historic Districts. The discussion will continue at the October meeting.
Action: View signage in other Historic Districts (all members).
6. Chamber of Commerce Bench – Charlie Delinks
There was a discussion of the Chamber of Commerce’s planter bench at the corner of Hall’s Road and Route 1. The bench is in the Historic District (within 300’ of Route 1) and was installed without a CofA. (The Chamber of Commerce did not realize that the Historic District continued past I-95 to Rose Lane.) The HDC would prefer a bench that is more compatible with the large planter installed and maintained by the Duck River Garden Club at the same corner.
Action: Charlie Delinks, president of the Chamber of Commerce, will speak to Sheila Wertheimer about coordinating the Duck River Garden Club planter with a Chamber of Commerce bench.
7. HDC - Town Hall Expansion Update – John Forbis
The Town Hall expansion project is in its final stage. The meeting rooms are furnished and ready for use by town boards and commissions. There will be a town-wide open house and rededication on October 5th.
8. Business News (CT Trust, National Trust) – Betty Chamberlain
The HDC has been invited to become a member of Connecticut Landmarks (www.ctlandmarks.org) which supports eight historic properties in Connecticut and publishes a quarterly newsletter. The members agreed that it would be appropriate for the HDC to join the organization.
The CT Trust for Historic Preservation (www.cttrust.org) is having a fund-raising event on Saturday, September 27, 2008 from 5:30-8:00 P.M. at the Elizabeth R. Hooker House at 123 Edgehill Road, New Haven. Tickets are $125 and $250. Call 203-562-6312 for information.
Jim Bechtel remarked that he has never received the CT Preservation Trust’s newsletter. The other HDC members are receiving their copies.
Action: Send the HDC’s membership information and fee to Connecticut Landmarks and contact the CT Preservation Trust regarding Jim Bechtel’s newsletter (Martha Hansen).
9. HDC - Secretary’s Report - Martha Hansen
All of the HDC files are now stored in a file cabinet in the file room on the lower level. Martha Hansen will be working with Cathy Frank and Ruth Roach to schedule the scanning of the HDC files.
Action: Keep the HDC updated (Martha Hansen).
10. HDC – Any other new or old business to come before the Commission (Town Hall sign).
The Town of Old Lyme is required to post a temporary sign outside the Town Hall to acknowledge the receipt of a state grant for the town hall renovation. The sign is 2’x4’ and will be installed outside the north wing.
Gil Boro sent a letter to the HDC confirming the approval of the adjoining neighbors for the installation of a sculpture on the northeast portion of his property at 80-1 Lyme Street.
11. Adjournment
John Forbis moved to adjourn the meeting at12:30 P.M. The motion was seconded by Ken Levin and passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Hansen
Recording Secretary
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