Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting
Monday, December 1, 2014
Place: |
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Memorial Town Hall, 52 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT |
Present: |
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REGULAR: John Pfeiffer (Chairman), John Forbis (Vice Chairman), Jim Bechtel, Joanne DiCamillo, Ken Levin ALTERNATE: Barbara Traskos, Dini Mallory, Jeff Cooley |
Guests |
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Lou Annino, Keith Rosenfeld (ZEO) |
Agenda: |
9:00 |
Call to order, Quorum call, Approval of minutes, Communications |
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9:05 |
Public Open Forum |
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9:15 |
Active CofAs: 31 Lyme Street, 77 Lyme Street landscape screening, 84 Lyme Street Sill House steps, 110 Lyme Street |
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9:30 |
Plaque Program Update: Ferry Road, 4 Johnnycake Hill Road, 27 Library Lane, 31 Lyme Street, 206 Mile Creek Road |
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9:45 |
Lyme Street street signs |
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10:00 |
Secretary’s Report |
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10:15 |
Solarize CT |
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10:30 |
Any other new or old business to come before the Commission (Village Shops Parking Signs, Center School Fence, historic buildings tour) |
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10:45 |
Adjournment |
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Chairman John Pfeiffer.
John Forbis made a motion, seconded by Jim Bechtel, to approve the November minutes. John Forbis, Jim Bechtel, Joanne DiCamillo, and Ken Levin voted in favor, John Pfeiffer abstained as he had not attended the November meeting. Motion passed.
Communications: A letter was received from Steve Hallahan stating that the air conditioning unit at 110 Lyme Street will be screened with lattice to match the existing porch lattice on the main house.
1. Public Open Forum: Lou Annino from UNH/LACFA attended the meeting. Mr. Annino is the chief facilities offer for UNH, and is aware of value of the Sill House. Some of the restoration plans may be delayed, but the roof will be replaced and some structural work will be done to stabilize the building.
The HDC discussed the plan to repair/replace the front steps, and the desire to return to the authentic design of a straight stair.
Mr. Annino was informed about the situation regarding the Southwick Commons landscaping.
Mail Mr. Annino information regarding the landscaping and the Sill House steps (Martha Hansen).
2. Active CofAs:
a) 31 Lyme Street CofAs: The work is proceeding as scheduled.
b) 77 Lyme Street, Southwick Commons landscape screening: Some white pine trees have been planted. However, the HDC’s planting designs (which had been agreed to by the developer) were ignored.
c) 84 Lyme Street Sill House steps: information on the plan approved by the HDC will be forwarded to the UNH facilities manager, Lou Annino.
d) 110 Lyme Street – The AC condenser visible from both Lyme Street and Sill Lane will be screened with lattice fencing.
3. Plaque Program Update: Martha Hansen
20 Ferry Road: Research continues. (Martha Hansen and Pamela Hamilton).
23 Ferry Road: Research continues. (Martha Hansen and Robin Sedgwick).
4 Johnnycake Hill Road: Dyanne Rafal plans to do the research with help from Martha Hansen
1 Library Lane: Contacted Eve Todd (Martha Hansen).
27 Library Lane: Land records research has been completed and the plaque has been ordered “John & Emily Appleby ca 1855”.
31 Lyme Street: the plaque has been delivered “Capt. Daniel Chadwick ca 1830”
206 Mile Creek Road: Martha Hansen met with Gary Holland to start research on his house which he thinks was built in 1914. Continue research with Mr. Holland (Martha Hansen).
17 Lieutenant River Lane: Janet S. Littlefield is researching the history of the house, which was built by her parents.
An article about the plaque program will be published in the next Events magazine, which is scheduled to be published in early December.
Ancillary Buildings program
The HDC plans to create a list identifying historic ancillary buildings in Old Lyme.
Charlotte Hitchcock of the CT Trust was given a brief tour of historic sites in Old Lyme by John Forbis, John Pfeiffer and Martha Hansen. The CT Trust is working on a “Creative Places” artists trail and plans to include Old Lyme.
4. Lyme Street Signage:
Jim Bechtel passed around photos of street signs in Historic Districts. It would be nice to have distinctive street signs for the HD. Currently there are no signs designating Lyme Street and there is a lot of sign clutter at the intersection of Hall’s Road and Lyme Street. Keith Rosenfeld confirmed that the town has jurisdiction over all signage in town whether or not it is on a state road. All signs require a permit.
The HDC has discussed improving Lyme Street signage in the past. The discussion will be continued at the January, 2015, meeting.
Find signage discussion in previous year’s minutes and forward to HDC members (Martha Hansen).
5. Secretary’s Report:
The annual CLG Report will be mailed to CCC&T this week.
The HDC 2015 Meeting Schedule has been filed with the Town Clerk.
6. Solarize CT: John Forbis
There will be a meeting on Thursday, December 4, at 7p.m. in the Town Meeting Hall to provide basic information on the program (solar power, financing, tax incentives, installation options, etc.). Old Lyme is participating in the state’s Solarize Connecticut program which is designed to promote residential solar installations.
7. Any Other New or Old Business:
a) The Vitality Spa (Village Shops) public hearing on the special permit application will be continued at the December 8 meeting of the Zoning Commission. The sandwich board signs have returned, and new columns have been installed on the exterior of the building. Keep the HDC informed (Keith Rosenfeld).
b) The house at 38 Lyme Street has been neglected for several years, there are weeds growing out of the gutters. Contact the owners (Keith Rosenfeld).
c) Bee & Thistle Inn sculpture CofA expired in September. The HDC will ask for it to be removed after December 15. Write letter (Martha Hansen).
8. Adjournment:
John Forbis made a motion, seconded by Ken Levin, to adjourn the meeting at 10:37 am. All present voted in favor. Motion passed
Martha Hansen
Recording Secretary
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