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Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting
Monday, February 1, 2016
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), Barbara Traskos ALTERNATE: Jeff Cooley, Dini Mallory |
Absent |
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Jim Bechtel |
Guests |
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Jeff Anderson, Robin Breeding, Gary Parrington, Bonnie Reemsnyder, Greg Stroud |
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 |
Zoning update |
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9:30 |
Plaque Program Update: 4 Johnnycake Hill Road, 206 Mile Creek Road, 209 Mile Creek Road, 6 Ferry Road, 110 Lyme Street |
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9:45 |
Secretary’s Report |
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10:00 |
Amtrak upgrade plans |
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10:30 |
Lyme Art Association |
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11:00 |
Any other new or old business to come before the Commission (32 Lyme Street Propane tank & AC unit screening, HD handbook reprint, Village Shops parking) |
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11:15 |
Adjournment |
A quorum being present, the meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Chairman John Pfeiffer. Jeff Cooley was authorized to vote in place of Jim Bechtel. John Forbis made a motion, seconded by Jeff Cooley, to approve the January minutes. John Pfeiffer, John Forbis, and Barbara Traskos voted in favor, motion passed.
1. Communications: Cynthia Taylor, the new owner of 32 Lyme Street, is interested in joining the HDC.
2. Zoning Update: Keith Rosenfeld was not able to attend the meeting.
3. Plaque Program Update: Martha Hansen
4 Johnnycake Hill Road: Dyanne Rafal plans to do research with help from Martha Hansen
206 Mile Creek Road: Research has been started on the neighboring property to help clarify the history of #206.
209 Mile Creek Road: Martha Hansen is helping Patricia Shippee with the research.
6 Ferry Road: Julie Quinn is working on the research.
110 Lyme Street: John Noyes has been contacted about a plaque for his house at 110 Lyme Street.
4. Secretary’s Report:
a) A welcome letter and HD handbook were mailed to Cynthia Taylor, new owner of 32 Lyme Street.
b) The HD handbook update meets the criteria for a CLG HPEG grant. The grants are up to $5,000 and do not require matching funds.
Action: contact Mary Dunne about applying for a grant (Martha Hansen).
5) Amtrak upgrade plans – First Selectwoman Reemsnyder, Greg Stroud, Robin Breeding
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder stated that she attended a hearing in January and expressed her opposition to Alternative 1 of the Federal Government’s plan to route high-speed rail lines through Old Lyme’s Historic District. The plan includes building a new train bridge between Old Saybrook and Old Lyme located just north of the existing railroad bridge on the Old Saybrook side. It would cross the river diagonally to just south of the Baldwin Bridge and would be high enough to allow river traffic to pass underneath. The new rail line would then continue parallel to I-95, cutting through the Historic District. Mrs. Reemsnyder was not officially notified of the plan, or of the opportunity to testify at the hearing, but was informed by a town resident. She testified at the hearing in January, and was the only
representative from a local government. Mrs. Reemsnyder has notified the Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments (RiverCOG) of the plan. RiverCOG had not heard of the plan and will submit a statement about it. She also notified her colleagues in towns east of Old Lyme (East Lyme, Waterford, etc.) and found that they had not been informed either.
Mrs. Reemsnyder encouraged everyone to go online to www.necfuture.com and comment on the plan before the deadline on February 15, 2016.
Greg Stroud remarked that the NEC plan is actually a large utility project with rail (four tracks), according to Daniel Mackay, Executive Director of the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation. It is a huge project. Due to sea level rise, the rail lines must be moved inland. John Pfeiffer stated that since 1851 the sea level has risen two feet along the Connecticut coast. The current tracks are in an unstable area. No matter where the new rail line goes, it will have an enormous impact on the community and the environment. The I-95 corridor is the easiest and least expensive route.
Jeff Anderson asked if anyone had contacted the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). The Florence Griswold Museum has been designated as a National Historic Landmark, which should provide some protection.
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder said she had contacted CT State Senator Paul Formica, and State Representative Devin Carney, who are both opposed to the plan. She has also reached out to Congressman Joe Courtney.
John Pfeiffer stated that it is important to mobilize our local groups so that we present a united front. Senator Blumenthal will have the most power and influence over the project.
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder plans to have a meeting/press conference at Town Hall with representatives from Old Lyme’s Planning department, RiverCOG, the Florence Griswold Museum, LACFA, LAA, LYSB, Old Lyme Land Trust, CT River Estuary Regional Planning Agency, The CT River Gateway Commission, and other local organizations. It is important for us to have a coordinated response. The meeting will be tomorrow, Tuesday, at 3 pm, in the main meeting hall.
John Forbis remarked that over $100 million has been invested in the Historic District and surrounding area, and that the rail plan will lower property values.
Dini Mallory commented that the Nature Conservancy~named the Connecticut River's tidelands one of the Western Hemisphere's "40 Last Great Places”.
6. 90 Lyme Street, Lyme Art Association – Gary Parrington
Garry Parrington submitted a CofA application for a new sign in front of the Lyme Art Association. The deep blue sign, which is slightly smaller than the existing sign, will be installed on the south side of the walkway, in the same place as the current lamppost, which will be removed. It will be mounted on a single white post with a cross piece, there will be a light at each end of the cross piece, focused on the sign. The banner will not be illuminated. The old sign will be removed.
John Forbis made a motion, seconded by Barbara Traskos, to approve the CofA for one year. John Pfeiffer, John Forbis, and Barbara Traskos voted in favor. Jeff Cooley abstained. The motion passed.
7. Any Other New or Old Business:
A letter will be sent to the Board of Selectmen recommending parallel parking on Academy lane.
8. Adjournment:
John Forbis made a motion, seconded by Jeff Cooley, to adjourn the meeting at 10:52 am. All present voted in favor, motion passed.
Martha Hansen
Recording Secretary
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