Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting
Monday, January 5, 2015
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 ALTERNATE: Barbara Traskos, Dini Mallory |
Absent: |
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Jeff Cooley |
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, 206 Mile Creek Road, 17 Lieutenant River Lane |
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9:45 |
Lyme Street street signs |
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10:15 |
Secretary’s Report |
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10:30 |
Solarize CT |
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10:45 |
Any other new or old business to come before the Commission (Village Shops Signs, 38 Lyme Street) |
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11:00 |
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 December minutes. Jim Bechtel, Joanne DiCamillo, John Forbis and John Pfeiffer voted in favor, motion passed.
Communications: None
1. Public Open Forum: no public participation
1a. Election of Officers:
Jim Bechtel made a motion, seconded by Joanne DiCamillo, that John Pfeiffer be re-appointed Chairman and John Forbis Vice Chairman of the HDC. Jim Bechtel, Joanne DiCamillo, John Forbis and John Pfeiffer voted in favor, motion passed.
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.
c) 84 Lyme Street Sill House steps: information on the plan approved by the HDC has been 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: The plaque has been delivered “John & Emily Appleby ca 1855”.
206 Mile Creek Road: Continue research with Mr. Holland (Martha Hansen).
17 Lieutenant River Lane: Janet Littlefield has submitted research on the house which indicates it was built in 1920 by John J Speirs. Order plaque “John J. Speirs ca 1920” (Martha Hansen).
2 Ferry Road – The Congregational Church plaque will be changed to read “ca 1910, a replica of the 1817 church”. Have Computer Signs change the wording (Martha Hansen).
4. Lyme Street Signage:
Joanne DiCamillo did some research on signs, poles, and manufacturers of signs in New England. She will email the links to HDC members. About 16 signs will be needed if Ferry Road is included.
The new sign style could also be used on Hall’s Road. The Hall’s Road improvement plans are on hold until the transfer of a small piece of land near the Lieutenant River bridge is completed.
In June, 2012, the State DOT awarded scenic road status to the stretch of road starting at the western side of the Lieutenant River Bridge and extending up Route 1/Lyme Street/Boston Post Road to Griswold Avenue, but the signs have never been installed. Contact State Representative Devin Carney for help (Dini Mallory).
The stone-faced overpass is historic, and may be the only one of its kind along I-95. Research history of the overpass (Martha Hansen).
5. Secretary’s Report:
The annual CLG Report has been mailed to CCC&T.
A letter has been sent to the Bee & Thistle Inn asking them to remove the sculpture on the front lawn which was scheduled to be moved at the end of September.
6. Solarize CT: John Forbis
There will be a Solarize CT workshop on Monday, January 26, 2015, 6 PM to 7:30PM at the LOL Middle School Auditorium for residents of Lyme and Old Lyme. Solarize CT representatives will provide information on financing, tax incentives, installation options and more. There was a discussion about solar power installations in Historic Districts.
John Forbis made a motion, seconded by Jim Bechtel, to mandate that solar panel frames, mounting hardware, and panels be black in the Historic District. Jim Bechtel, Joanne DiCamillo, John Forbis, and John Pfeiffer voted in favor, motion passed.
7. Any Other New or Old Business:
a) Joanne DiCamillo reported on a notable tree at Lyme Regis on Ferry Road. In 1876 a weeping Beech tree was planted to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
b) Joanne DiCamillo reported that the CT Fund for the Environment, concerned that Plum Island will be sold and developed, is working to preserve the island.
c) The Vitality Spa (Village Shops) has applied to the ZBA for a special exception to expand the business to include teaching wellness classes and more. Parking on Academy Lane continues to be a problem. Keep the HDC informed (Keith Rosenfeld).
d) The house at 38 Lyme Street has been neglected for several years and is deteriorating. Send the owners a letter expressing the HDC’s concern about the house (Martha Hansen).
8. Adjournment:
John Forbis made a motion, seconded by John Pfeiffer, to adjourn the meeting at 11:20 am. All present voted in favor. Motion passed
Martha Hansen
Recording Secretary
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