Heritage Commission

CITY OF LACONIA HERITAGE COMMISSION Wednesday, April 13 2022, 5:00 PM City Hall - Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber Accepted May 11, 2022 4/13/2022 - 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. 3. Roll call Mark Haynes, Catherine Tokarz, Chair Jane Whitehead, and Scott Ringer were present. 4. Recording secretary Mackenzie Theberge 5. Staff in attendance 6. Acceptance of Minutes from previous meeting 6.I. Acceptance of Minutes March 9 S. Ringer made a motion to accept the minutes, C. Tokarz seconded the motion. All voted in favor. 7. City Council Liaison Report M. Haynes briefly explained that they are moving in with the budget cycle. M. Haynes stated that M. Wilkinson was approved as a member for the commission. L. Kessin was reappointed as a member for the commission. The commission briefly discussed the commissions budget and the Mae Williams project. 8. Planning Board update 9. New business 9.I. Welcome to Marjorie Wilkinson, new member The commission will welcome Marjory Wilkinson at the next meeting. 9.II. Guidelines for creating a new logo for the Heritage Commission The commission discussed the guidelines for the commission and that the logo would need approval by the city manager. The commission agreed to get the community involved in making of the logo. C. Tokarz agreed to do the press release for a logo contest. The commission discussed of possibly giving a gift certificate to the person that created the logo of their choosing.  9.II. Guidelines for creating a new logo for the Heritage Commission The commission discussed the guidelines for the commission and that the logo would need approval by the city manager. The commission agreed to get the community involved in making of the logo. C. Tokarz agreed to do the press release for a logo contest. The commission discussed of possibly giving a gift certificate to the person that created the logo of their choosing. 9.III. 211 Endicott Street East Applicant Jonathan Gammons briefly explained that he plans on demolishing the building and then plans on selling the property. J. Whitehead stated that she does not find the building architecturally sound. S. Ringer made a motion to approve the demolition permit application, M. Haynes seconded the motion. All voted in favor. 9.IV. 171 Gold Street Attorney Shawna Bentley form Wescott Law represented the applicant. S. Bentley handed out photos of the building to the commission and provided a narrative for each photo. S. Bentley explained that the fireplaces are closed up and painted over. There is a portion that is flea infested, and there is respiratory concerns. There is exposed wood that is deteriorating, exposed wires, and the building is not structurally sound. S. Ringer asked if anything is left of the original building, and S. Bentley is not sure but the banister and the beams could be original. S. Ringer also asked what the plan is for the property. S. Bentley explained that it is not relative but they plan to have residential housing there. C. Tokarz read the history of the building from the New Hampshire Division of History Resources Area Form and the Inventory Form. S. Ringer asked if the commission can take a tour, S. Bentley said that they could schedule a walk through with the Project Manager, Mike Lokken. They would need to sign waivers and wear masks. S. Ringer made a motion to table this demolition permit application for the next meeting so the commission can have an opportunity to view it. C. Tokarz seconded the motion. All voted in favor. 10. Old business 10.I. Update on preservation awards 10.I.I. NH Preservation Alliance S. Ringer explained that the Colonial Theater received a preservation award, it will be on May 3rd at 5:00 pm on Zoom. J. Whitehead explained that there was no news regarding the C. A. K. E. building and the Opera House. C. Tokarz mentioned they were interested for next year. 10.I.II. Laconia residential awards C. Tokarz explained that the Mike and Clare Persson are the owners of 43 McGrath Street and they are excited to receive their reward on the May meeting. J. Whitehead asked what to present to them and it should be framed. J. Whitehead said she will try to find the previous residential awards. C. Tokarz said the rewards should be publicized and she will contact the paper for the press release. 10.II. Consideration of joint workshops with the Historical Society, Historic Overlay District Commission, and other Heritage Commissions  J. Whitehead asked what to present to them and it should be framed. J. Whitehead said she will try to find the previous residential awards. C. Tokarz said the rewards should be publicized and she will contact the paper for the press release. 10.II. Consideration of joint workshops with the Historical Society, Historic Overlay District Commission, and other Heritage Commissions The commission discussed about having an off the record work session and to figure out a date, time, and where. J. Whitehead said she will contact the other parties for a timeframe. 11. Public comment There was no public to comment. 12. Other business C. Tokarz asked what was happening at the condemned building at 728 Union Ave and M. Theberge is not sure if they have any permits and will find out. C. Tokarz said she had spoken with Mae Williams and she has completed the study for the Lakeport Baptist Church and it will be costly, so they will apply for grants. The commission discussed C. Tokarz mentioned she would like to have a subcommittee formed for preservation purposes in the Lakes Region, and to document the interior and exterior of the buildings. J. Whitehead said she will contact Jennifer Goodman about doing this. C. Tokarz also mentioned she would like to have the wording on the demolition permit application changed. M. Haynes suggested to have this run by Dean Trefethen and to consult with legal council beforehand. C. Tokarz would like to attend the meeting with the city attorney also. C. Tokarz had also mentioned that the Division of Historical Resources has a subscription that is $400.00 a year and maybe that it can be reduced to a lower rate. C. Tokarz said she had left a message to them to see how it would benefit the commission. 13. Adjournment S. Ringer made a motion to adjourn the meeting, C. Tokarz seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Meeting adjourned at 6:10 pm.