Heritage Commission

CITY OF LACONIA HERITAGE COMMISSION 5:00 PM City Hall - Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber Draft Minutes 9/14/2022 - Minutes 1. Call to order T Chair Jane Whitehead called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM 2. Salute to the flag F Chair J. Whitehead led the pledge of allegiance 3. Roll call A Members present: Mark Haynes, Lois Kessin, Catherine Tokarz, Marjorie Wilkinson, Jane Whitehead Absent: Scott Ringer Catherine Tokarz was seated as a full member. R 4. Recording secretary Yanis Banks 5. Staff in attendance D Kalena Graham 6. Acceptance of Minutes from previous meeting 6.I. Acceptance of July 13 minutes Lois made the motion and Mark seconded. All voted in favor. 7. City Council Liaison Report Counselor Haynes had nothing to report. New City Manager Kirk Beattie will be starting on October 3rd and current City Manager Scott Myers will be staying as a consultant for some time. 8. Planning Board update Nothing to report. 9. New business 9.I. 73 Wentworth Cove Rd Applicant Steve Hatem briefly explained he will be demolishing current building to add a new one. Original building has been modified added several times, current building doesn’t look anything like the original building. Applicant purchased the property March 2020, he has resided in the area for over 20 years. Catherine asked if there were any pictures of the original building. Applicant did not have any pictures. Yanis Banks was able to go on Zillow and found pictures of the current building’s interior  Applicant Steve Hatem briefly explained he will be demolishing current building to add a new one. Original building has been modified added several times, current building doesn’t look anything like the original building. Applicant purchased the property March 2020, he has resided in the area for over 20 years. Catherine asked if there were any pictures of the original building. Applicant did not have any pictures. Yanis Banks was able to go on Zillow and found pictures of the current building’s interior condition. Catherine Tokarz made a motion to approve the demolition permit application, M. Haynes seconded the motion. All voted in favor. 9.II. Report on the Laconia State School property T Jane Whitehead had a newspaper article in which the company who surveyed the history of the building and its historical importance produced a very detailed draft which Jane had a copy present. Jane stated Catherine did read such report and she would be willing to pass it on to the other members if they wanted to read it or that the draft was also on the website. Jane briefly covered that there are about 35 F buildings in which they are probably more than 50 years older. 9.III. Update on the Folsom-Batchelder house Jane mentioned that Tara Shore sent an email to Scott Everette to ask ways in which the building 171 A Gold St could be commemorated to preserve the towns history, such as adding a plaque in case the building needed to be demolished as it is the oldest building in town. 9.IV. Introduction of Andrew Cushing, Field Representative of the NH Preservation Alliance R Jane asked for Andrew to introduce himself. Andrew stated what he does and how he could be helpful to the Heritage Commission further on. Catherine stated three concerns are such as the State School, Lakeport Baptist Church and St. Joseph’s Church. Hosting 7 to save outing at the Mill building in Laconia on October 18th from 5-7 PM appetizers and drinks would be provided. Tours would be given from 3:00-5:00 PM. D 10. Old business 10.I. Election of Officers Catherine Tokarz made a motion to move to next meeting. Marjorie Wilkinson seconded the motion. All voted in favor. 11. Public comment 12. Other business Catherine Tokarz asked about clarification on who closed the Goss reading room. Catherine Tokarz commented that she had heard the Board of Trustees temporarily closed it. Mark Haynes said he would further investigate and get an answer. Established in 1807. New Code Department Secretary Yanis Banks. Welcome! 13. Adjournment Lois Kessin made a motion to adjourn. Mark Haynes seconded it. Meeting ajourn 5:57 PM. Yanis Banks