Heritage Commission

CITY OF LACONIA HERITAGE COMMISSION Wednesday, November 10, 2021 - 5:00 PM City Hall - Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber Accepted February 9, 2022 11/10/2021 - Minutes 1. Call to order Jane Whitehead called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm. 2. Salute to the flag The commission saluted the flag. The commission held a moment of silence for former mayor Edward Engler. 3. Roll call Mark Haynes, Lois Kessin, Catherine Tokarz, Jane Whitehead, and Scott Ringer were present. 3.I. Introductions of members Each member of the commission and staff briefly introduced themselves and what lead them to value cultural heritage and the preservation of cultural heritage. 4. Recording secretary Mackenzie Theberge 5. Staff in attendance Planning Director Dean Trefethen 6. Acceptance of Minutes from previous meeting 6.I. Acceptance of Minutes for October 13 L. Kessin made a motion to approve the minutes, S. Ringer seconded the motion. All voted in favor. 7. City Council Liaison Report M. Haynes discussed that the Historic District had a presentation on the Pemaco building. D. Trefethen explained that there are currently six apartments in the building that will be gutted. The main floor will be preserved. The rear portion of the theatre will become the kitchen area, and some seats in the balcony will remain. The brick work will be repointed. They will replace the windows and try to replicate them as much as possible. A new stairwell will be constructed and an elevator shaft. They are constructing a rooftop deck with a sun room at the top. The second and third floor will be strictly for the family while the lower level will be maintained for the businesses as is. The Pemaco sign will remain, and there will be no designated parking spaces for the family at the moment. The commission would like to have a tour of the Pemaco building.  them as much as possible. A new stairwell will be constructed and an elevator shaft. They are constructing a rooftop deck with a sun room at the top. The second and third floor will be strictly for the family while the lower level will be maintained for the businesses as is. The Pemaco sign will remain, and there will be no designated parking spaces for the family at the moment. The commission would like to have a tour of the Pemaco building. 8. Planning Board update D. Trefethen briefly discussed that the contract for the real estate company to market the state school property was approved by the executive council. The city will be included in the formulation of their marketing material. The redevelopment commission continues to do their work. North Water Marine was approved by the Planning board for their redevelopment plans. They will be tearing down a number of buildings and replacing them with a different configuration of buildings. The salesroom stays where it is and the rest is all boat storage. They need to create a retaining wall along most of the property to keep things in place. They will be changing out their ramp with a negative lift. They will be using the valet system. J. Whitehead asked if there are any potential form of intrusion on any of the archeological areas. D. Trefethen but they have been in touch with DES and marine patrol. J. Whitehead asked if the buildings that plan on being torn down, will they go in front of the Heritage Commission. D. Trefethen explained that o ne building was already torn down due to it not being structurally sound. T hey potentially could, they are wooden steel framed with boat racks. With some unknown dates for the year built. D. Trefethen discussed that Kevin Morrissette had started tearing down the gymnasium section of the old Trinity School, and replacing it with a new addition. The front portion of the building will be rehabbed. Each of the former classrooms become an apartment. There will be ten units at least in the old part of the building and four units in the new section. They are still working out what to do with the ADA compliance. 9. New business 9.I. Seven to save announcement J. Whitehead handed out printed copies of the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance handbook. This year there were two buildings that were nominated from Laconia. The Lakeport Baptist Church and the Drive in Movie Theatre located in the Weirs were nominated. J. Whitehead discussed that it would be a great idea to have the Director of the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance, Jennifer Goodman, to be present at the next meeting to provide the commission information on the different heritage possibilities and to provide creative ideas as to what the commission can do. J. Whitehead also mentioned to have Tara Shore at the next meeting as well to provide the commission information on the Historic District. S. Ringer asked if we have our own version of seven to save for the city. J. Whitehead explained that the city does not but the commission should start thinking about what they would want to save. 10. Old business 11. Public comment S. Ringer also asked if the buildings that make it on N.H. Preservations Seven to Save list does that open them up for grant money. J. Whitehead confirmed that it does. 12. Other business L. Kessin wanted to confirm that 76 Lakeside Ave was being sold and the demolition was to be put off. D. Trefethen explained that they are not selling but they are not ready to do demolition yet. J. Whitehead briefly discussed that there are awards that the commission still needs to hand out. C. Tokarz mentioned that Eagle Scout, Ben Cone, will attend the January meeting to give his presentation then. C. Tokarz also discussed that they are sprucing up over at 50 Washington Street. C. Tokarz thinks it would be really important to reach out to them to highlight this.  J. Whitehead briefly discussed that there are awards that the commission still needs to hand out. C. Tokarz mentioned that Eagle Scout, Ben Cone, will attend the January meeting to give his presentation then. C. Tokarz also discussed that they are sprucing up over at 50 Washington Street. C. Tokarz thinks it would be really important to reach out to them to highlight this. 13. Adjournment L. Kessin made a motion to adjourn, C. Tokarz seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Meeting adjourned at 5:50 pm.