Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting
Monday, May 4, 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), Elizabeth Chamberlain (Alternate), John Forbis (Alternate) |
Absent |
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Barbara Traskos (Regular), Nina Peck (Regular), Joanne DiCamillo (Alternate) |
Guests |
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Craig Silver |
Agenda: |
9:00 |
Old Lyme Historic District – Public Hearing – Craig Silver |
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9:45 |
Plaque Program update– Ken Levin, Jim Bechtel, Martha Hansen |
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10:00 |
Sign Policy discussion – John Forbis |
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10:30 |
HDC Handbook reprint & Grant Application update |
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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 (Grange ceremony, I-95 bridge graffiti, Lyme Street lamps) |
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11:30 |
Adjournment |
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 A.M. by Cochairman Jim Bechtel. Alternates Betty Chamberlain and John Forbis were authorized to vote in place of absent Regulars Nina Peck and Barbara Traskos. A motion was made by Betty Chamberlain and seconded by John Forbis to approve the minutes of the March 6, 2009 meeting with no changes. All present voted in favor.
1. Old Lyme Historic District – Public Hearing Concerning 9 Lyme Street (Boxwood) – Craig Silver
The Public Hearing was called to order at 9:05 A.M. There were no objections to Craig Silver’s CofA application to replace certain windows and siding at 9 Lyme Street (Boxwood) as follows:
- North side – replace existing glass in sunroom with 5 stationary panels and 1 door panel with transom light and trim above and 18” high raised panels below.
- South side – a) replace 2 sliding doors with 2 sets of triple double-hung windows and b) replace 2 double-hung windows with 2 sets triple double-hung windows.
Stanford Brainerd (6 Lyme Street) telephoned Ken Levin to say that he and his wife, Wendy, approved of the changes. Beverly Hendryx (15 Lyme Street) wrote a letter in favor of the renovations. Paul Sagristano (21 Lyme Street) e-mailed his support.
A motion was made by Ken Levin, seconded by Tom Keogh, to approve the CofA application. All present voted in favor.
The HDC advertises public hearings in The Day and on Lymeline.com and also posts them on the Town Hall bulletin board and on Old Lyme’s Web site in compliance with the FOI Act regulations. It may be less expensive to advertise in the LymeTimes. Martha Hansen will check with other town departments and will also check advertising rates in the LymeTimes.
Action: Investigate other Old Lyme public hearing notification procedures, check with the State FOIA department about current regulations and check LymeTimes advertising rates (Martha Hansen).
2. HDC – Plaque Program Update & Letter - Ken Levin, Jim Bechtel, Martha Hansen
Barbara Traskos (46 Lyme Street) has received her plaque. Ken Levin will contact Mary Siedner and suggest that the LYSB plaque (59 Lyme Street) be installed on the south entry porch. Betty Chamberlain will contact Tim Griswold about mounting the Town Hall plaque (52 Lyme Street). Martha Hansen is researching John Forbis’s property (43 Lyme Street). Martha Hansen has completed the research for 174 Mile Creek Road. The house was most likely built by Robart Lay, father of Enoch Lay, in about 1775. Susan Woody (23 McCurdy Road) and Shelley Nobile (112 Sill Lane) are also researching their historic houses.
Letters were sent in April to the owners of forty eligible properties in the Historic District inviting them to apply for plaques and offering (limited) help with property research. A plaque application form and a photo montage of some of the existing plaques were included with the letter. Hilma Berggren (93 Lyme Street) and Richard Willis (61 Lyme Street) responded asking for help with property research.
Action: Speak to Tim Griswold about installing the Town Hall’s plaque (Betty Chamberlain).
Contact Hilma Berggren and Richard Willis regarding property research (Martha Hansen).
Finish research on 43 Lyme Street (Martha Hansen).
Contact LYSB (Ken Levin).
3. HDC – Sign Policy Discussion – John Forbis
The Old Lyme Grange and Fire House were added to the list of nonprofits. There is an informal agreement in Old Lyme that discourages but does not ban political signs. The sign policy in the Historic District will also discourage but not ban political signs. John Forbis will incorporate the amendments into the new sign policy and will e-mail it to all HDC members.
Ken Levin made a motion, seconded by Betty Chamberlain, to approve the sign policy as amended. All present voted in favor.
Action: Edit sign policy and e-mail to all members (John Forbis).
4. Handbook Reprint and Grant Application – Jim Bechtel, Martha Hansen
The CLG Grant application for reprinting the Historic District Handbook will be submitted this week. The grant is expected to cover the estimated cost of $3,500. The new handbook will be printed this summer and will be similar in size and length to the current handbook. It will include new policies and photos and CofA requirements will be updated. The new handbook will be mailed to all Historic District property owners.
Action: Keep the HDC updated (Martha Hansen, Jim Bechtel).
5. Business News (CT Trust, National Trust) – Betty Chamberlain
Betty Chamberlain passed around the latest issues of the Preservation News and the CT Trust Newsletter.
6. Secretary’s Report – Martha Hansen
There is nothing new to report on the Preserve America Communities application. The Scenic Road Designation application will be submitted this month.
Action: Keep the HDC updated (Martha Hansen).
8. HDC – Any other new or old business to come before the Commission (Grange Ceremony, I-95 Bridge Graffiti, Street Lamps)
Ken Levin and Barbara Traskos enjoyed attending the Old Lyme Grange ceremony on April 18th. The Grange members expressed their appreciation for the plaque which was dedicated at the ceremony.
Jim Bechtel spoke to Cathy Frank about the I-95 bridge graffiti. The Selectmen’s office contacted the DOT in Old Saybrook. The DOT agreed to remove the graffiti, if possible. If not, The DOT will notify Tim Griswold and the removal will be attempted by Old Lyme.
David Kelsey requested the HDC to look into the matter of the new street light bulbs on Lyme Street. Some of the original blue-white bulbs have been replaced by pink-orange bulbs. All members are asked to look at the street lights on Lyme Street including the new bulb in front of Paul Sagristano’s house (21 Lyme Street). There is also a new bulb on Ferry Road and one on Lieutenant River Lane.
Action: Look at the street lights on Lyme Street (all members).
Contact David Kelsey regarding bridge graffiti and street lights (Jim Bechtel).
9. Adjournment
Ken Levin moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:35 A.M. The motion was seconded by Tom Keogh and passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Hansen
Recording Secretary
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