Heritage Commission

CITY OF LACONIA HERITAGE COMMISSION Wednesday, 11 January 2017 5:00 PM Room 200A, City Hall MINUTES I. Call to Order: C. Tokarz called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. II. Present: C. Tokarz (Chair), D. Duffy, M. Hoey, P. Clark, M. Boudman Absent: J. Whitehead, A. Doyle Staff: B. Loughlin, D. Wood (recording the meeting) III. Chairman’s Remarks: C. Tokarz said she had nothing further to report that wasn’t already covered under the agenda items. IV. Minutes: Minutes of the meeting on December 14, 2016, were reviewed. P. Clark made a motion to approve the Minutes. M. Hoey seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously. V. City Council Liaison Report: B. Loughlin said there was a Land & Building Subcommittee meeting before the Council meeting on January 9, 2017, discussing the Lakeport Fire Station, but nothing came of it. B. Loughlin also said that there would be a public hearing if the property was going to be sold. VI. Old Business: A. Area Studies: C. Tokarz said she had assumed Judith Pellowe would be at the meeting today. P. Clark said she would contact Judith and ask her to come to the next meeting (February 8, 2017) with her report. B. Lakeport Fire Station: C. Tokarz said this would be taken off the agenda at this time, and put back on the agenda if/when a DEMO application is submitted. C. Demolition Permit 2 Methodist Circle: B. Loughlin showed recent photo’s she had taken of the property and said she does not think this is a significant building, nor is it in a protected district. She introduced Attorney Steve Nix who represents the owner of the subject property. S. Nix said he had done extensive research of the Methodist Circle area, when he was involved in a law suit 10 years ago. He said the area was originally a camp ground and the Methodist Church came and built a building in the middle with camp sites around. In the Late 1800’s the Methodist decided the area was too crowded and bought a facility on Waukewan, where it is located now. The campground was sold and individual lots created. The subject house was one of the original houses but has since been extensively renovated. The subject house now has many leaks; therefore, the owner wants to demolish it and build a new house, basically looking the same, but adding a 2nd floor. P. Clark made a motion to have the Chair sign the DEMO application. M. Boudman seconded the motion. The motion passed with 4 in favor and 1 abstaining. VII. New Business: A. 125th Anniversary of Railroad Station: P. Clark talked about the board meeting she had attended for planning the celebration of the 125th Anniversary of the Railroad Station. She said she e-mailed the owner of the Railroad Station asking if Saturday, August 19, 2017, was agreeable for the celebration, as the 125th anniversary falls on Tuesday, August 22, 2017. P. Clark also gave a brief description of some of the planned activities, such as, ceremony, dignitaries, Boston & Maine Historic Society, color guard, entertainment, 3 train rides (hopefully with a stop in Lakeport to see the museum), and dinner in the Rotunda. She noted that the Rotunda is owned by the HOBO Corporation so they have to wait until they get approval from them before finalizing arrangements. B. Budget: P. Clark reported that the Heritage Commission has $1500 in their budget at this time. She also said that they would like to have a national historic register plaque unveiled at the time of the celebration of the 125th Railroad Anniversary. She said the prices of a bronze plaque is $206 (11” x 8”) and $374 (15” x 12”), and she was hoping the money would come from the Heritage Commission. C. Tokarz said she would prefer it comes out of the general budget for the City C. Budget: C. Tokarz said the new budget request must be in by January 23, 2017, and she will be asking for $750 again. D. Heritage Commission Vacancy: C. Tokarz asked members to think about anyone they knew who could fill the Alternate vacancy. IX. Public Comments: None X. Adjournment: M. Boudman made a motion to adjourn, which was seconded by P. Clark and unanimously approved. The meeting was adjourned at 6:20 p.m.