Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting
Monday, June 1, 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), Joanne DiCamillo (Alternate) |
Absent |
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Barbara Traskos (Regular), Nina Peck (Regular) |
Agenda: |
9:00 |
Old Lyme Historic District Public Open Forum |
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9:15 |
Plaque Program update – Ken Levin, Jim Bechtel, Martha Hansen |
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9:30 |
HDC Handbook reprint & Grant Application update |
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9:45 |
Business News (CT Trust, National Trust) – Betty Chamberlain |
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10:00 |
Secretary’s Report – Martha Hansen |
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10:15 |
Any other new or old business to come before the Commission (I-95 bridge graffiti, Lyme Street lamps) |
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10:30 |
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 May 4, 2009 meeting with no changes. Jim Bechtel, Ken Levin, Tom Keogh, Elizabeth Chamberlain, and John Forbis voted in favor. Joanne DiCamillo abstained as she had not attended the May meeting.
1. Public Open Forum
No public participation.
2. HDC – Plaque Program Update - Ken Levin, Jim Bechtel, Martha Hansen
Both the LYSB (59 Lyme Street) and the Memorial Town Hall (52 Lyme Street) plaques have been installed. Jim Bechtel has installed a plaque (Robart Lay – ca 1775) on his house at 174 Mile Creek Road. The research has been completed for John Forbis (43 Lyme Street). The house was built by Silas Bramble in about 1853. Martha Hansen has started researching the properties of Hilma Berggren (93 Lyme Street) and Richard Willis (61 Lyme Street) and is helping Shelley Nobile (112 Sill Lane) to research her property. Susan Woody (23 McCurdy Road) is also researching her property.
Action: Order plaque for 43 Lyme Street (Ken Levin).
Finish research on 61 and 93 Lyme Street and 112 Sill Lane (Martha Hansen).
Contact Susan Woody regarding 23 McCurdy Road (Martha Hansen).
3. Handbook Reprint and Grant Application – Jim Bechtel, Martha Hansen
The HD Handbook will be redesigned using Adobe InDesign (replacing Quark used in 2001). This will add to the original cost estimate of $3,500 (the amount applied for in the grant). The grant application will be mailed this week after the ADA and Labor Compliance information is provided by the town. Members are asked to review the current handbook and suggest changes, new photos, etc.
Action: Review HD Handbook and discuss changes at the July meeting (all members).
Keep the HDC updated (Martha Hansen, Jim Bechtel).
4. Business News (CT Trust, National Trust) – Betty Chamberlain
No update
5. Secretary’s Report – Martha Hansen
The Preserve America Community formal designations have been delayed in Washington due to the change in administrations. Judith Rodenstein (Advisory Council on Historic Preservation) has communicated that Old Lyme is one of 26 communities ready for designation as soon as the process is finalized.
The Scenic Road application is being prepared and will be sent out shortly. Martha Hansen is meeting on Tuesday with Charlie Beal (Lyme Historical Society) who may have some information on the “Mile of Roses” which stretched along Route 1 (from the 1920s to the 1950s).
Action: Keep the HDC updated (Martha Hansen).
6. HDC – Any other new or old business to come before the Commission (I-95 Bridge Graffiti, Street Lamps)
a) Mary Seidner and Arleen Sharp (LYSB) have asked if the HDC has another painting project for the Kids Care Club. Last year the Club painted the metal railing on Lyme Street in front of the OL-PGN Library. There was also a discussion about the possibility of painting the posts and the backs of the traffic signs on Lyme Street.
b) A DOT representative met with Ed Adanti of Public Works and Tim Griswold to look at the graffiti on the I-95 bridge and discuss the best way to remove it. Old Lyme’s Public Works Department will do the removal at some future time.
c) All street light bulbs are purchased by the town through CL&P. The bulbs are replaced as they burn out. Members are asked to view the street lights in front of Paul Sagristano’s house (21 Lyme Street), and on Ferry Road in front of Lyme Regis (across from Lieutenant River Lane).
d) Jeff Andersen has invited all members of the HDC to attend the Florence Griswold Museum’s Annual Meeting and Member’s Reception on Friday, June 5 at 5:30 p.m. Betty Chamberlain will attend the reception.
e) The Sign Policy for the HD Handbook has been completed.
f) The Tree Commission plans an Old Lyme tree inventory starting in the Historic District and specifying “notable” trees.
g) There was a discussion about the signage, Garden Club flower urn and Chamber of Commerce bench at the corner of Hall’s Road and Route 1. John Forbis will speak to Neil Gottfried about the bench. The Duck River Garden Club has future plans to redesign the landscaping at the corner.
7. Adjournment
Jim Bechtel moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:45 a.m. The motion was seconded by John Forbis and passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Hansen
Recording Secretary
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