Heritage Commission

CITY OF LACONIA HERITAGE COMMISSION March 11, 2020 MINUTES Accepted August 12, 2020 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 Absent: M. Haynes Staff: D. Trefethen, D. Wood (recording the meeting) III. Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting on February 12, 2020, were reviewed. D. Duffy made a motion to approve the Minutes. C. Tokarz seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously. IV. PUBLIC MEETING: Demolition permit application for 1330 Union Ave. (Barton’s Motel) J. Whitehead said this DEMO application was tabled at the last meeting waiting for the NHDHR Individual Inventory Form from Lisa Mausolf. Jon Rokeh and Lisa Mausolf were present to represent the owner of 1330 Union Avenue. L. Mausolf said the report was finished and gave a power point presentation. She gave a summary of Barton’s Motel from the beginning up to the present time. She said that the conclusion was that the Barton’s Motel complex is eligible for the National Register under Criterion C, Architecture, on the local level. Keith Henderson, owner of Annie’s Bookstop, spoke about the building which houses his business. Mr. Henderson said this building has some original features including the chimney. Tara Shore asked if the developers would be open to displaying a plaque after the buildings were torn down. Jon Rokeh said he would present the request to the owner. Tara Shore asked Keith Henderson if she could tour the building, as she’s interested in keeping history/heritage alive. Mr. Henderson said she could tour the building. J. Whitehead said the Commissioners would like to visit the property and document it before it’s demolished and said they would also like the sign preserved. D. Trefethen said he would contact the owner, Chris Barton, to arrange a date and time. D. Trefethen then said that now that there has been a Public Hearing on this property, per ordinance, the Heritage Commission has to make a decision. L. Kessin made a motion to approve the DEMO application for 1330 Union Avenue. M. Sweet seconded the motion. With the exception of one abstention from D. Duffy, all the other Commissioners were in favor. J. Whitehead signed the DEMO application. V. Planning Board Update: Nothing to report. VI. Old Business: A. Property Restoration Recognition Awards – J. Whitehead passed around copies of the letters that were mailed to the 4 property owners and is awaiting responses. B. NH Department of Resources Inventory – J. Whitehead said she received an e-mail from Mae Williams about her contract. D. Trefethen said he has talked to the City Manager and hopefully there will be a contract within a week. VII. Demolition permit application: 337 Meredith Center Road – J. Whitehead, following the new protocol, read questions 1, 2 & 3 and asked if all Commissioners understood the questions, and all replied “yes”. J. Whitehead then asked questions 4 & 5, which were specific to this property. All Commissioners replied "no". L. Kessin made a motion to approve the application. M. Sweet seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously. VIII. Public Comments: None IX. Adjournment: L. Kessin made a motion to adjourn. M. Sweet seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m.