Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting
Monday, December 6, 2010
Place: |
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Memorial Town Hall, 52 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT |
Present: |
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Jim Bechtel (Cochairman, Regular), Tom Keogh (Regular), Barbara Traskos (Regular), Joanne DiCamillo (Alternate), Janet Sturges (Alternate), John Forbis (Alternate) |
Absent: |
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Ken Levin, Nina Peck |
Guests: |
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Colleen Kissane, Michael Calabrese, Robert Clapper, Bruce Villwock, Al Lallonardo, (members of the CT State Scenic Road Advisory Committee) and neighbors Anne Johnston, Lorraine Proctor, Nicole Supersano, Charles Todd |
Agenda: |
9:00 |
Public Open Forum |
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9:15 |
Public Hearing: Scenic Road application – state DOT |
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9:45 |
Plaque Program update - Ken Levin, Jim Bechtel, Martha Hansen. |
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10:00 |
HDC Handbook Reprint Grant update - Jim Bechtel, Martha Hansen. |
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10:15 |
Business News & Secretary’s Report. |
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10:30 |
Any other new or old business. |
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10:45 |
Adjournment. |
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Cochairman Jim Bechtel.
The November 8, 2010 minutes will be approved at a later time (not received by Janet Sturges and Tom Keogh).
Action: Mail November minutes to Janet Sturges and Tom Keogh (Martha Hansen).
1. Public Open Forum – no participation
2. Public Hearing: Scenic Road Application
Colleen Kissane, Michael Calabrese, Robert Clapper, Bruce Villwock, and Al
Lallonardo, members of the State Scenic Road Advisory Committee, attended the meeting. All the committee members viewed the area in question (Route 1/Boston Post Road from the I-95 overpass to Boggy Hole Road) and recommended that the application be amended to change the road portion to begin on Hall’s Road, west of the Lieutenant River bridge, and extend 1 mile north to Griswold Avenue. This stretch of road is more in keeping with the definition of a Scenic Road as it includes views of the Lieutenant River on both sides of the road. The HDC agreed to amend the application as suggested.
Neighboring property owners Anne Johnston and Lorraine Proctor asked questions regarding the impact of Scenic Road designation on them as property owners. Colleen Kissane explained that Scenic Road designation provides an additional layer of protection for property owners in case the DOT plans to work on or widen the road. Any stone walls removed or disturbed within the road right-of-way would have to be restored by the DOT. Property owners would continue to have the same control over their property as they do now. Anne Johnston, Lorraine Proctor and Nicole Supersano did not object to the Scenic Road designation. Charles Todd spoke in favor of it.
Action: Send letter to DOT Commissioner amending the application (Martha Hansen).
3. Plaque Program update – Martha Hansen
The research on the Todd’s house at 105 Lyme Street has been completed. The house was built between 1810 and 1814 by Joseph Noyes for his grandson, Richard Noyes.
Research continues on the Edmondson’s house at 45 Lyme Street. The house is said to incorporate an ell from the Samuel Mather House (the Parsonage) that was moved to the site in 1837 onto land owned by Samuel Whipp. Land records have been found showing the property was owned by Simon Whipp from 1853 to about 1860.
No update on Boxwood, 9 Lyme Street.
60 Lyme Street, once Bugbee’s Store during the 1890s, was previously a milliner’s shop owned by Richard Minor (according to information found by Lynn Wakeman who is researching early businesses on Lyme Street). The research is continuing.
New information has been found on 25 Lyme Street- Cooley Gallery (J.A. Rowland General Store ca. 1867). Lyn Wakeman found a reference to the store in old letters. The building was originally next door on Charles Waite’s land. Mr. Rowland purchased the present lot from Mr. Waite and moved the building in 1867. The store was open the entire time it was being moved, including when it was sitting in the middle of Lyme Street waiting to be put on its new foundation.
James Elliot, owner of E.F. Watermelon, would like a plaque for the building at 24 Lyme Street.
Joanne DiCamillo would like to have a plaque for her house at 68 Sill Lane. She has information on the origins of the house. She will visit the Lyme Town Hall for confirmation with Martha Hansen.
Action: Contact the Todds and order a plaque for 105 Lyme Street (Richard Noyes ca 1814), contact Mr. Elliot regarding the plaque for 24 Lyme Street, continue property research on 9 Lyme Street, 45 Lyme Street and 60 Lyme Street, and keep the HDC updated (Martha Hansen).
4. Handbook Reprint Grant update- Jim Bechtel, Martha Hansen
Martha Hansen will confirm the reimbursement with the Finance Department. Jim Bechtel requested that extra handbooks be placed in the HDC mailbox in the Selectman’s office.
Action: Keep the HDC informed on reimbursement and put handbooks in the HDC mailbox (Martha Hansen).
5. Business News & Secretary’s Report – Martha Hansen
The Annual CLG (Certified Local Government) Report, due November 30, has been submitted to the CCC& T.
6. Other old or new business
a. John Forbis remarked on the circular stone bench on the North Green (Sill Lane). Joanne DiCamillo stated that the town crew unexpectedly removed the rhododendrons that surrounded the bench. The Tree Commission is in charge of planting trees and shrubs on town greens.
b. The dumpster at 23 Lyme Street has not been moved.
d. The HDC would like to weigh in on the size and style of road signs and will invite Tim Griswold to the January 3, 2011 HDC meeting.
7. Adjournment
John Forbis made a motion, seconded by Janet Sturges, to adjourn the meeting at 10:30 a.m.
All present voted in favor. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Hansen
Recording Secretary
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