Heritage Commission

CITY OF LACONIA HERITAGE COMMISSION APRIL 11, 2018 MINUTES I. CALL TO ORDER: J. Whitehead called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. II. PRESENT: J. Whitehead (chair), D. Duffy, M. Boudman, C. Tokarz, M. Haynes ABSENT: M. Hoey STAFF: D. Wood (recording the meeting) III. MINTUES: The Minutes of the meeting on March 15, 2018 were reviewed. M. Boudman made a motion to approve the Minutes. C. Tokarz seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously. IV. INTRODUCTION OF POTENTIAL NEW MEMBER: J. Whitehead welcomed and introduced Gerald Hansen who is interested in becoming a member of the Heritage Commission. V. CITY COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT: M. Haynes said there was a second revision to the plans for 23 Elm Street (former Lakeport fire station). He also said that the City Council is going to hold the new owner to the terms she had agreed to when she purchased the property. D. Duffy said Councilor Cheney had said that the new owner has not abided by the terms of the agreement. D. Duffy felt that there was nothing of historic significance with the structure VI. PLANNING BOARD UPDATE: Planning Board meeting (April 10, 2018) was cancelled because of lack of quorum. VII. REPORT ON OLD HOUSE AND BARN EXPO: M. Boudman, C. Tokarz and J. Whitehead attended the NH Preservation Alliance presentation on March 24, 2018. All agreed the presentation was very informative. M. Boudman said there are different uses for barns. Architectural structure is pretty much the same, but foundations are different. C. Tokarz said it was most interesting being with Andrew Cushing and others who shared success stories from other communities. J. Whitehead also agreed listening to other Heritage Commission members from other communities was very interesting and informative. J. Whitehead also said that finding your house’s history is very important as this brings your house alive. VIII. OLD BUSINESS: A. Area Studies/Photography: C. Tokarz said she is planning on taking pictures with M. Boudman during the next school vacation, maybe April 26th or 27th depending on the weather. She also said that any and all members are welcome to join them. B. Property Restoration Recognition: J. Whitehead said that she brought the prototype of the award to the City Manager, who approved. Discussion then ensued regarding how many awards would be given each year and maybe in conjunction with the Front Porch Award. C. Tokarz said it would be nice to have at least 6 per year. D. Duffy suggested maybe 4. D. Duffy also said it would be good to give the winner a copy of the completed inventory for their property. D. Duffy said she is also planning a tour of the Riverbank House properties (sometime in May) to see changes that were made to the buildings and put to reuse. C. St. Joseph’s Church: C. Tokarz asked if there was anything new. M. Haynes said that it was still on the market. IX. NEW BUSINESS: A. State Preservation activities: J. Whitehead said there is a Grant Workshop (LCHIP grants) at NH Dept. of Natural & Cultural Resources on May 1, 2018. D. Duffy said it would be good to have at least one person from our commission attend this workshop and be trained. B. 125th Anniversary Celebration and other projects: C. Tokarz talked about doing a walk again of the historic homes on Pleasant Street. M. Haynes said the time capsule was unearthed today, April 11, 2018. He said that water got into the capsule and there was some water damage. He also said there will be a celebration in Opechee Park on July 7, 2018. C. Historic Structure Directory: This was already addressed at previous meetings. D. Meeting Date Change: J. Whitehead said the June meeting has been rescheduled to the first Wednesday in June, June 6, 2018; and the July meeting cancelled. E. C. Tokarz said there was one piece of new business. Because of the 8 days of school closings due to snow, she had suggested that the Middle School students do a walking tour of downtown Laconia. She asked members of the Commission to think about making a list of questions/information about the buildings. C. Tokarz is waiting for approval for this project from the Middle School Administration. X. Public Comments: None XI. Adjournment: D. Duffy made a motion to adjourn, which was seconded by M. Boudman. The meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m.