Historic District Commission

HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION, NORWICH, CONNECTICUT 17 April 2008 The regular meeting off the Norwich Historic District Commission was held on 17 April 2008 in Room 210, Norwich City Hall at 5 p.m. Members Present: Chairperson: Malcolm Edgar Desiree Champagne Robert Crootof Gideon Lowenstein Marco Middleton Nancy O’Neil Absent: Judith Hamblen I. HEARING – Application for COA #257 was presented by Mr. Chet Terns. Reliance House, owners of the property at 81 Union Street, have agreed to remove the vinyl siding and underlying insulation, to replace wood clapboards and corner pilasters and crown dentil molding. The application specified “synthetic materials” for some of this work. (See COA #255.) The Commission specifically denied the use of synthetic materials. If the property owners are willing to use wood throughout this restoration project, then the Commission would approve the application. In the absence of appropriate authorities, Mr. Terns agreed to seek their endorsement of this change and, if it is obtained, he will contact Chairman Edgar to complete the application process. Application for COA #258 presented by Greg Boyd and Jessica Heffernan concerns replacement of sills and portions of front porch because of extensive deterioration. Also included is replacement of the porch roof and two front windows. The new windows will be Anderson 400 Series vinyl clad, double hung wooden sashes with muntins of the same design and dimension as the existing windows. This application was approved by unanimous vote. Application for COA #259 was presented by Glenn Rubino and Robin Wilber, and involves extensive reconstruction and renovation of sills, walls, roof, siding and windows. Front siding will be cedar clapboards, side and rear siding will be HARDIE clapboard (wood fiber and cement composition.) Roof will be architectural shingle. Windows in front will be Anderson 400 Series vinyl clad wood sashes, double hung, and reuse of current widows elsewhere. The presenters have revised their ideas regarding the roof line, porch railing and window detail. They will have the front elevation revised to incorporate these details. When available, the Chairman will consult with at least two other commission members and, if all are satisfied with the new drawings, this application will be approved. II. SECRETARY’S REPORT Minutes of the regular February meeting were approved by unanimous vote. III. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT Edgar, Lowenstein and Crootof reported on the Connecticut Circuit Rider Program they attended on 12 March 08. Crootof has begun work on a photo inventory, and is also applying for a grant through Mary Dunne. Edgar will investigate the possible transfer of several documents to the Reference Library at Otis including: 1. Study Group Reports for Norwichtown Historic District and Little Plain Historic District. 2. 1998 Report on Norwich City Greens 3. 2003 Master Plan on Huntington Place 4. 2005 Report regarding Greenville Nomination to National Register of Historic Places 5. William Champagne’s composition, “Your House on Jail Hill” III. OLD BUSINESS There was no Old Business to be discussed by the commission. IV. NEW BUSINESS The State Historic Preservation Office of CCCT has invited us to a meeting on 14 May 2008 with focus on CLG’s and the Preserve American Program. Edgar, Lowenstein and Middleton plan to attend. The meeting was adjourned at 6:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Malcolm S. Edgar, Chairman