Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting
Monday, April 2, 2018
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), Dini Mallory, Barbara Traskos ALTERNATE: Cynthia Taylor, Jeff Cooley |
Guests |
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Ryan Lee, Mary Seidner |
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 |
Plaque Program Update |
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9:30 |
Public Hearing: 59 Lyme Street, LYSB new signage |
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10:00 |
Secretary’s Report - Active CofAs |
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10:15 |
Any other new or old business to come before the Commission |
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10:30 |
Adjournment |
A quorum being present, the meeting was called to order at 9:06 a.m. by Chairman John Pfeiffer who authorized Cynthia Taylor and Jeff Cooley to vote. John Forbis moved, seconded by Cynthia Taylor, to approve the March minutes as presented. All present voted in favor, motion passed.
1. Communications: Dini Mallory reported that many people are unhappy with the High School’s LED sign which seems to be on all night. Although the sign is located just beyond the 300-foot limit of the Historic District, the bright, active light is very noticeable from the street. The HDC would like to have the light put on a timer and moved farther back from the street. The new post and arm signs recently installed by District 18 are a perfect example of the type of sign that is compatible with the Historic District.
Action: write letter to Ian Neviaser and John Rhodes regarding the light (Martha Hansen).
2. Public Open Forum: no participation
3. Plaque Program Update: Martha Hansen
209 Mile Creek Road: Research is continuing.
32 Lyme Street: Cynthia Taylor has been working on the research. Her house was built in 1699 by Joseph Peck and moved to its present location in 1816 by Jonathan Tinker. Cindi was advised to check probate records to see what is mentioned in them.
5 Bailey Road: Alexandra Escher is interested in a historic plaque for her home, believed to have been built by Captain Cunningham ca 1820. Martha Hansen will work with her on the project.
26 Sill Lane: Caroline Ronchini has requested historical information about her home. Martha Hansen will contact her.
4. Public Hearing: 59 Lyme Street, LYSB new signage:
Mary Seidner submitted a CofA application for new signage on the LYSB building. Ryan Lee, of Overabove (formerly Outthink), presented the sign design, a 36-inch diameter circle with LYSB on it and a number 59, with both sides of the sign illuminated by bullet-style lighting. The lights will be on a timer. The sign will be mounted on the building with a black iron bracket. The old sign will be removed.
Motion: John Forbis made a motion, seconded by Barbara Traskos, to approve the CofA application for one year. All present voted in favor, motion passed.
5. Secretary’s Report:
The HDC’s memberships to the Connecticut Trust, the National Trust, and the Old Lyme Historical Society are being renewed.
The handbook grant has been prepared and is ready to submit.
Action: Submit handbook grant (Martha Hansen).
Active (Open) CofAs:
- 55 Lyme Street, screening fence for propane tank and AC unit, September 2018.
- The Lyme Art Association has two projects in process – parking lot lighting and new cedar shingles for the building, September 2018.
Action: Check with Gary Parrington to make sure all the parking lot lights are downlights (Martha Hansen)
- The new sign for Artemesia has not been installed yet.
6. Any Other New or Old Business:
Dini Mallory will find out what, if anything, is happening with the “Arts Mile” idea that was proposed some time ago.
John Forbis reported that the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center is sponsoring a lecture on the Connecticut River which will cover the river’s sediment and how the river, Hamburg Cove, Great Island, etc. could be affected by rising sea level. The lecture will be at the Old Lyme Town Hall at 5pm on April 19.
John Pfeiffer reported that he and Jim Bechtel did a survey and found 295 historic structures in town, in addition to those in the Historic District. This makes a total of 380 historic properties in town. The grant for the historic properties survey is for $30,000 so some priorities will need to be set.
The HDC has openings for two members. If you are interested please contact the Selectman’s Office at town hall.
7. Adjournment: Jeff Cooley made a motion, seconded by John Forbis, to adjourn the meeting at 10:00 am. Motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Hansen
Secretary
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