Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting
Monday, October 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), John Forbis (Alternate), Joanne DiCamillo (Alternate) |
Absent |
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Elizabeth Chamberlain (Alternate) |
Guest |
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Christy Laurence |
Agenda: |
9:00 |
Old Lyme Historic District Public Open Forum |
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9:15 |
Porch Column Update- Jim Bechtel |
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9:30 |
Plaque Program update – Ken Levin, Jim Bechtel, Martha Hansen |
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9:45 |
HDC Handbook reprint & Grant Application update |
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10:00 |
Church Corner update |
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10:15 |
Business News (CT Trust, National Trust) – Betty Chamberlain |
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10:30 |
Secretary’s Report – Martha Hansen |
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10:45 |
Any other new or old business to come before the Commission |
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11:00 |
Adjournment |
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Cochairman Jim Bechtel. A motion was made by Jim Bechtel
and seconded by Barbara Traskos to approve the minutes of the September 14, 2009 meeting with no changes.
Jim Bechtel, Ken Levin, Tom Keogh, Joanne DiCamillo, Barbara Traskos, John Forbis and Nina Peck voted in favor.
1. Public Open Forum – Christy Laurence (realtor Coldwell Banker) – 62 Lyme Street
Concerning the garage addition, Christy Laurence questioned if the HDC has building plans reviewed by an historical architect. Nina Peck, architect member of the HDC Board, and the other members of the HDC reviewed the plans for the addition to 62 Lyme Street and recommended extensive changes which were implemented by the owners. The HDC’s goal is to evaluate projects and decide on their appropriateness and not to dictate a certain style.
2. 62 Lyme Street –Porch Column Update – Jim Bechtel
Denise Collins provided her builder’s drawing of the proposed porch column design. A sample column was built and put in place for HDC members to view. The Commission recommended a more robust column design with additional trim added to the base and capital and suggested the entry porch columns at 33 Lyme Street as an example. The Collins agreed to the proportion change but felt the simpler trim was more in keeping with their garage pilasters. The new columns have been installed and the HDC still feels more detail would have benefited the design.
3. HDC – Plaque Program Update –Ken Levin, Jim Bechtel, Martha Hansen
Harry Oakley plans to install a plaque at 27 Lyme Street. The research for 70 Lyme Street has been completed (William Dempsey ca. 1873).The plaque for 112 Sill Lane (Edward DeWolfe ca. 1707) has been installed.
Action: Begin research on 27 Lyme Street (Martha Hansen).
Order plaque for 70 Lyme Street - William Dempsey ca. 1873 – (Ken Levin).
4. Handbook Reprint and Grant Application – Jim Bechtel, Martha Hansen
The $3,500 grant application for a revised Handbook has been approved by the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism. The funding period extends to August 30, 2010.
Action: Continue the editing process and send a draft to all members for review (Jim Bechtel, Ken Levin and Martha Hansen).
5. Church Corner Update – Ken Levin
The project has been delayed and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
6. Business News (CT Trust, National Trust) – Betty Chamberlain
No update.
7. Secretary’s Report – Martha Hansen
As the Board of Selectmen has jurisdiction over the roads in town, the Scenic Roadway application should be discussed with First Selectman Tim Griswold before being submitted.
Action: Contact Tim Griswold (Martha Hansen).
A suggestion was made to place the Preserve America sign on Route 1 near the Four Mile River Road intersection. Old Lyme’s status as a Preserve America Community might also be included on the I-95 sign along with the Florence Griswold Museum, Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts and Lyme Art Association.
Action: Investigate possibility of including Preserve America Community on I-95 sign (Martha Hansen).
8. HDC – Any other new or old business to come before the Commission
Paul Sagristano (21 Lyme Street) has been asked by the Town to remove the concrete apron from the north driveway and replace it with grass. All HDC members present agreed that grass would be more attractive.
The status of the Chamber of Commerce planter bench on the corner of Halls Road and Lyme Street will be reviewed with Bob Chapman, the President of the Chamber of Commerce. Barbara Beal (Duck River Garden Club) is in charge of redesigning the planting at the intersection of McCurdy Road and Route 156. She may be willing to redesign the Halls Road/Lyme Street area also.
Action: Contact Bob Chapman concerning the planter bench (Jim Bechtel).
Contact Barbara Beal concerning plans for the Halls Road/Lyme Street corner (John Forbis).
9. Adjournment
John Forbis moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:35 a.m. The motion was seconded by Ken Levin and passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Hansen
Recording Secretary
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