Willington Commons Historic District
Minutes for June 10, 2015
The meeting began at 7 pm. Present were Greg Farmer, CT Trust Rider, Robert Shabbot, Richard Mueller, Timothy Blauvelt, Rosa Helena Chinchilla, and guests.
Gregory Farmer began his presentation talking about the difference between local, state and national designation of a Historic District. He told us that ours is all three, and the state designation allows us to contact the State Historic Preservation Officer about any type of environmental impact on the Green or any impact on the character of the historic district.
Our local historic district has been in existence since 1981 and this is very good because we have close to 35 years of being such legally and formally. Ours with 12-15 structures is a good size; the largest in the state are 600 homes in Litchfield and Wethersfield. Our bimonthly meetings seemed reasonable because of the size, and our membership is active and should be rotating. He also commended us for having signs posted at the entry.
Historic district commissions are asked to review certificates of appropriateness for what is visible from the street, the lake, or any public access rd. Page 108 in the CT Historic District Site Booklet has a checklist for residents. He does recommend that we update our website so that it is searchable, with links for property owners and forms. Any change in material of original construction that is permanent and visible needs a certificate of appropriateness hearing.
Assesors of Historic properties are very impostant because a Historic District enhances the life of the population. It is important that our website answer Why does the district exist? What the district does for the property owners? How it enhances property values? And why it should remain the same? The process of hearings is also important to outline for owners.
Through the same process we can add one household even if not from the same era as the rest. We can also designate individual historic properties, cementeries, and local scenic roads. This sometimes allows these properties to have funding or be eligible for funding. Right now there is a special tax credit for preservation of Farms and barns.(10 years tax abatement on barns).
There are also automatic demolition delays set by state laws regarding historic structures that might suffer damage from cars or fire principally.
He left material to be distributed.
We then discussed the Arts Council Grant for the Glazer Tavern on 1 Common Rd for the purpose of creating a cast iron three dimensional sign. The sign has to conform to the signage rules of the town of the ruling 1907.01.03 that states that it will not exceed 20 square feet. Robert Shabott said it would be a double pole with a cross arm. He had no drawings as of yet, and we await the decision of the Arts Council.
New items included discussion on the CT State Troopers proposed firing range within 1.5-1.2 miles distance from the Willington Commons Historic District, that seeks to preserve the quiet, tranquility attractive to homeowners, visitors, and all the members of the community. The accumulated impact of the noise generated by such a facility with one indoor and four outdoor ranges far exceeds any noise generated by anything within a 20 mile radius.
Richard Mueller moved that we make it known that we are opposed to the proposed CT State Troopers Firing Range on Ruby Rd. We are drafting a letter stating the detrimental effects on the Historic District and the religious, educational and local activities that take place around the Commons and the roads sorrounding it. We will send the letter to the appropriate government officials soon.
Tim Blauvelt seconded. The members were unanymously in agreement.
We accepted the approval of the minutes to be tabled for the next meeting in August.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:05 Tim Blauvelt made a motion, and Robert Shabott seconded.
Respectfully submitted
Rosa Helena Chinchilla, Chair, in absence of Laurie Masciandaro took notes for today.
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