Heritage Commission

CITY OF LACONIA HERITAGE COMMISSION AUGUST 14, 2019 MINUTES I. Call to Order: Jane Whitehead called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. II. Present: J. Whitehead (Chair), D. Duffy, L. Kessin, C. Tokarz, M. Sweet, M. Haynes Staff: D. Wood (recording the meeting) III. Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting on July 10, 2019, were reviewed. C. Tokarz noted one minor correction (Andrew Cushing – not Andrew Hosmer). L. Kessin made a motion to approve the Minutes with the correction. M. Sweet seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously. IV. Welcome of new member: Welcome to Lois Kessin who was formally appointed to the Heritage Commission at the City Council Meeting. V. City Council Liaison Report: Mark Haynes said the redevelopment of Lakeport has created some excitement and also parking problems. VI. Planning Board Update: D. Duffy said there was nothing that pertained to the Heritage Commission. VII. Recent news items: Awards to Lakes Region Heritage Commissions – J. Whitehead said that the Center Harbor Heritage Commission recently received an award for their historic resources map inventory. J. Whitehead said that perhaps the Laconia Heritage Commission could aspire to doing something similar, which would also involve a lot of work. VIII. Old Business: A. NH Department of Historic Resources Inventory (status): C. Tokarz said she contacted 2 people. One of them responded (Mae Williams) and sent copies of the area study she did for Wakefield. C. Tokarz passed around a map, identifying the area she thought we should focus on and asked the Commissioners if this was the area they wanted to study, and all agreed. D. Duffy made a motion to accept the area and also pursue hiring Mae Williams. M. Haynes said he would check with the City Manager. D. Duffy amended her motion to accept the map for the area studies and a second motion to continue pursuing Mae Williams for filling the position. L. Kessin seconded the motions, which were approved unanimously.  B. Lakeshore Redevelopment, State School update: J. Whitehead said she attended the last public meeting which was about agricultural uses of the land. She said she will also be attending the next meeting. IX. New Business: A. Demolition permit applications - new protocol: J. Whitehead said that under advice of counsel, there is now a new protocol for DEMO applications. J. Whitehead asked 5 questions of each Commissioner before a vote was taken to approve/disapprove the application. 1. 235 Endicott St. East: L.Kessin said she drove by the property and saw no historic significance, and it also looked structurally unsafe and was an eyesore. J. Whitehead also drove by and agreed with L. Kessin. D. Duffy made a motion to approve the application. L. Kessin seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously. 2. 18 Wilson Court: D. Duffy made a motion to approve the application. L. Kessin seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously. B. Meetings on establishment of Laconia Historic District - update: Tara Shore spoke about establishing a historic district. She said there will be a meeting of the subcommittee on August 21, 2019, and she hopes there will be ordinances in place to be sent back to the Planning Board. She also said there were concerns about enforcement, so she reached out to other historic districts. Durham was very helpful and said enforcement was through Code Enforcement and Zoning. C. Heritage Commission Preservation Awards: M. Sweet suggested getting an engraved award made instead of a paper certificate. C. Tokarz asked about choosing a building for the award and said this would get publicity out to spur interest in our Heritage Commission. J. Whitehead said Commissioners should come up with nomination suggestions. Tara Shore asked if there was criteria set up, and J. Whitehead said she thought this was a great idea. X. Public Comments: None XI. Adjournment: L. Kessin made a motion to adjourn. M. Sweet seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 6:05 PM. .