Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting
Monday, May 7, 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 |
Absent |
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Jeff Cooley |
Guests |
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Kevin Counter, Dave Vitali |
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 |
38 Lyme Street renovations |
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10:00 |
Secretary’s Report – Handbook update, grant update, Active CofAs |
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10:15 |
District 18 Electronic Sign |
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10:30 |
Any other new or old business to come before the Commission |
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10:45 |
Adjournment |
A quorum being present, the meeting was called to order at 9:06 a.m. by Chairman John Pfeiffer. John Forbis moved, seconded by Barbara Traskos, to approve the April minutes as presented. All present voted in favor, motion passed.
1. Communications: The HDC sent a letter to Regional School District 18 officials about the new electronic sign at the entrance to the High School. Although the sign is located just beyond the 300-foot boundary of the Historic District it is an “active” sign and the light is very visible from the street. The HDC feels that the sign is inappropriate for the historic neighborhood and asked it be moved farther back or screened so that it is not visible from the street and be timed to shut off between 10pm and 6am, Superintendent Ian Neviaser responded that the school district has received many positive comments about the sign, as opposed to one negative comment from a neighbor. He does not plan to move the sign but will put it on a timer as requested.
After further discussion the HDC decided to survey Historic District property owners to see how they feel about the sign.
Action: Obtain list of Historic District property owners and forward to HDC members (Martha Hansen).
2. Public Open Forum: no participation
3. Plaque Program Update: Martha Hansen
209 Mile Creek Road: Research is continuing.
32 Lyme Street: Plaque has been delivered “Joseph Peck, ca 1699, moved 1816”
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.
101 Lyme Street: Ronald and Julie Malloy submitted an application with research for the carriage house – Dr. Richard Noyes ca 1814 Carriage House. Martha Hansen will contact them and order the historic plaque.
4. 38 Lyme Street Renovation plans: Kevin Counter & Dave Vitali
Kevin Counter and Dave Vitali submitted a CofA application for renovations to the house. The structure needs to be raised about two feet because of its location in a flood zone. The chimney will be removed, some windows changed, and the board and batten siding will be replaced with clapboards to match the front of the house. New steps will be added to the front entrance to accommodate the increased height. The HDC will render a decision at the June 4 meeting when a public hearing will be held.
5. Secretary’s Report:
The handbook grant has been submitted.
The handbook updates are being put into proper format for printing by Jim Meehan
Edie Twining is working on the updated map.
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. This project is nearly completed.
- The new sign for Artemesia has been installed.
6. District 18 Electronic Sign- see above
7. Any Other New or Old Business:
Update on historic property survey: The RFP will go out in July to get bids on the survey. There are about 295 historic structures in town, the money available for the survey can pay to survey between 150 to 200 buildings. The committee is working on deciding which areas should be surveyed. The beach areas have already been surveyed for FEMA. Dini Mallory mentioned that survey is doubly important due to CT DOT’s plans to widen I-95.
The HDC has openings for two members. If you are interested please contact the Selectman’s Office at town hall.
8. Adjournment: John Forbis made a motion, seconded by Barbara Traskos, to adjourn the meeting at 10:17 am. Motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Hansen
Secretary
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