Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting
Monday, January 5, 2009
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), Tom Keogh (Regular), Barbara Traskos (Regular), Nina Peck (Regular), Joanne DiCamillo (Alternate), John Forbis (Alternate) |
Absent |
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Elizabeth Chamberlain (Alternate) |
Agenda: |
9:00 |
Old Lyme Historic District – Public Open Forum |
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9:15 |
Annual Election of Officers |
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9:30 |
FY2009-2010 Budget Request Update – Jim Bechtel |
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9:45 |
Plaque program update – Ken Levin, Martha Hansen |
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10:00 |
Church Corner Update – Ken Levin, Joanne DiCamillo |
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10:15 |
Sign Policy Discussion – John Forbis |
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10:45 |
HDC Handbook Reprint |
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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 9:00 A.M. by Cochairman Ken Levin. A motion was made by Jim Bechtel
and seconded by John Forbis to approve the minutes of the December 1, 2008 meeting with no changes. All present voted in favor.
1. Old Lyme Historic District – Public Open Forum
No public participation.
2. Annual Election of Officers – Jim Bechtel
A motion was made by Barbara Traskos, seconded by Nina Peck and voted unanimously to reappoint Jim Bechtel and Ken Levin as cochairmen for 2009.
3. FY2009-2010 Budget Request – Jim Bechtel
Jim Bechtel submitted the HDC budget request to the Board of Finance. The budget increased from $4,510 to $5,850 due to the cost of publishing legal notices for public hearings.
Action: Wait to hear from the Board of Finance (Jim Bechtel).
4. HDC – Plaque Program update - Ken Levin, Martha Hansen
Plaques have been installed on the Old Lyme Grange Hall, the Parsonage of the FCC and the Old Lyme Children’s Learning Center. Delivered plaques have not yet been installed on the First Congregational Church, Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau, Memorial Town Hall and the Mergy residence (22 Lyme Street).
The Lyme Times published a front-page article on December 4th on the Historic District Plaque Program.
Jim Bechtel will write a letter to HD property owners who have not yet ordered plaques encouraging them to participate in the HD Plaque Program. John Forbis suggested ordering customized plaque postage stamps (using www.photo.stamps.com). The Mergy donation funds can be used to pay for some of the plaque research.
Action: Write letter to HD property owners (Jim Bechtel).
Keep the HDC updated (Jim Bechtel, Ken Levin, Martha Hansen).
5. Church Corner Update – Ken Levin, Joanne DiCamillo
There was a Church Corner Project Public Information Meeting on December 15th.
The curb height on McCurdy Road bordering the Ames’ property has been dropped to 2” from 7” and the grass preserved. Bordering the South Green on McCurdy Road, there will be a 7” high granite curb (discouraging parking), a sidewalk and granite posts with chains (reflecting the posts and chains in front of the Congregational Church).
A vote will be taken at the Annual Town Meeting on January 26 to approve the project and the $175,000 required (in addition to the STEAP grant of $425,000).
There remains some concern (voiced at the Public Information Hearing) about the placement of the CtheK Church Rectory driveway (cutting through the South Green).
Action: Keep the HDC updated (Joanne DiCamillo, Ken Levin).
6. HDC – Sign Policy Discussion – John Forbis
The possibility of painting (black or dark green) the posts and the backs of the state road signs in the HD was discussed.
Action: Review Sign Policy draft for the next meeting (All members).
7. Handbook Reprint – Jim Bechtel
The HDC has made a capital request of $3,325 to reprint 500 copies of the Historic District Handbook. If approved by the Board of Finance, the updated handbook will include texts on the modified CofA requirements, the Sculpture Policy, the revised Sign Policy and additional photos of preferred styles of signs, fences, light fixtures, etc.
Action: Wait to hear from the Board of Finance before editing and compiling new photos (Jim Bechtel).
8. Business News (CT Trust, National Trust) – Betty Chamberlain
No report
9. Secretary’s Report – Martha Hansen
Martha Hansen distributed the 2009 Meeting Schedule which was filed with the Town Clerk.
There was a discussion about applying for Scenic Road designation for the HD. As Lyme Street is a town road and not a state road, it is not eligible to be designated a Scenic Road. However, Route 1 north of I-95 is a state road and may meet the requirements. The Scenic Road section needs to be at least one mile long and include historic buildings and/or structures listed in the National or State Register of Historic Places or contain natural scenic features.
Action: As a portion of Ferry Road in Hadlyme was recently designated a Scenic Road, contact Lyme Town Hall for information about applying for Scenic Road status (Martha Hansen).
Old Lyme may be able to qualify as a Preserve America Community making the town eligible for Preserve America Grants.
Action: Contact Commission on Culture and Tourism and prepare application (Martha Hansen).
10. HDC – Any other new or old business to come before the Commission
Possibly extend the Historic District to include the Ferry Road section between Lyme Street and Route 156.
Action: Informally discuss expansion with concerned Ferry Road residents (Tom Keogh).
11. Adjournment
Barbara Traskos moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:00 A.M. The motion was seconded by Nina Peck and passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Hansen
Recording Secretary
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