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Historic District Commission Minutes 05/06/2019
Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting
Monday, May 6, 2019


Place
Memorial Town Hall, 52 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT
Present
REGULAR: Cynthia Taylor (Chairman), John Forbis (Vice-chairman), Dini Mallory, Municipal Historian: John Pfeiffer
Absent
Jeff Cooley
Guests
Gregory Stroud, Cate Hewitt, Attorney Fran Sablone
Agenda
9:00
Call to order, Quorum call, Approval of minutes, Communications
9:05
Public Open Forum
9:15
Public Hearing: 24 Lyme Street, CT Examiner Sign, Gregory Stroud
9:30
Public Hearing: 3 Wyckford Lane, Wheelchair Ramp, Joseph Kelly
9:45
Plaque Program update
10:00
Secretary’s Report – Handbook update, Active CofAs
10:15
Any other new or old business to come before the Commission
10:30
Adjournment

A quorum was present and the meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by John Pfeiffer. The April Minutes were discussed. John Forbis moved, seconded by Dini Mallory, to approve the minutes, Cynthia Taylor, John Forbis, and Dini Mallory voted in favor, motion passed.

Barbara Traskos’ memorial service was on Saturday. Barbara served on the HDC for more than 20 years and will be greatly missed.

1. Communications: Cell phone tower extension notification for 189 Boston Post Road. This is not in the Historic District and does not threaten any historic properties.  

2. Public Open Forum: Gregory Stroud asked what the relationship is between the Arts District and the Historic District. The districts overlap. John Pfeiffer replied that the Arts District must comply with Connecticut Landmarks and National Register of Historic Places requirements as well as Historic District requirements where applicable.
Greg also asked about the Historic Resource Survey Report and if there could be additional surveys. John Pfeiffer replied that he has read the survey and made recommendations for improvements/corrections and that Jim Bechtel is going over it again. There could be architectural and archeological surveys done in the future.

3. Plaque Program Update:
209 Mile Creek Road: Research is continuing on the Wait family.
60 Lyme Street: the new owners are interested in a plaque for their house.
5 Bailey Road: Alexandra Escher is interested in a historic plaque for her home, ca 1820
26 Sill Lane: Caroline Ronchini has requested historical information about her home.
10 Ferry Road: The date of 1830 appears to be correct, the original builder is still being determined.
6 Lyme Street: Martha Hansen has been in touch with the new owner, Tom Fowler.  

4. Public Hearing 24 Lyme Street, CT Examiner Sign: Gregory Stroud presented a CofA application for a new sign for the CT Examiner office. Sign will be 24” x 24” and will be hung on the awning towards the rear of the building. There were no objections from neighbors.
Motion: John Forbis moved, seconded by Cynthia Taylor, to approve the CofA for one year. John Forbis, Cynthia Taylor, and Dini Mallory voted in favor; motion passed.

5. Public Hearing 3 Wyckford Lane, Wheelchair ramp: Attorney Fran Sablone represented Joseph Kelly.
A CofA application was presented to install an 8-foot-long wheelchair ramp for access to a breezeway and side entrance to the house. The homeowner’s association is aware of and approves the application. John Pfeiffer recommended checking with the building department regarding the proper slope of the ramp to make sure it is not too steep. Once installed it should be screened from view. The HDC would like to see a sketch of the final layout of the ramp and screening shrubbery. The final decision on the CofA application was deferred to the HDC’s June 3 meeting.

6. Secretary’s Report:  
The new Historic District Handbook has been printed. Copies of the new handbook will be distributed to Historic District residents and local real estate offices. John Forbis suggested that the HDC present the new handbook at a Board of Selectmen’s meeting.
Action: contact Selectman’s Office, mail new handbook to HD residents, etc. (Martha Hansen).

Motion: John Forbis moved, seconded by Cynthia Taylor, to thank the Handbook team – Martha Hansen, Dini Mallory, Jim Meehan, and Edie Twining – for doing an outstanding job on the handbook update. John Forbis, Cynthia Taylor, and Dini Mallory voted in favor; motion passed.

Active (Open) CofAs:
  • 55 Lyme Street, screening fence for propane tank and AC unit
  • 38 Lyme Street, renovations
  • 97 Lyme Street, renovations
Action: Send letters to 55 Lyme Street, and 38 Lyme Street regarding renewing the CofA applications (Martha Hansen).

7. Any Other New or Old Business:
John Forbis reported that the National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) application has been sent to NOAA.
The Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center encouraged people in the local community to support the creation of a National Estuarine Research Reserve in Old Lyme by writing letters of support to the Undersecretary of Commerce. Thanks to this effort, over 4,000 letters have been received supporting the nomination, a great many from Old Lyme and other towns in the Connecticut River Valley.

John Forbis reported that the Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library has installed a sculpture on the library grounds. This requires a CofA application and HDC approval.
Action: Invite library representatives to the HDC’s June 3 meeting and send a copy of the new handbook (Martha Hansen).

The HDC has openings for three members. If you are interested please contact the Selectman’s Office.

8. Adjournment:  John Forbis moved, seconded by Dini Mallory, to adjourn the meeting at 10:00  am. John Forbis, Cynthia Taylor, and Dini Mallory voted in favor, motion passed.
 
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Hansen, Secretary