Historic District Commission

NORWICH HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Minutes of the October 16, 2019 Regular Meeting The regular meeting of the Historic District Commission was held Wednesday October 16, 2019 at 5:37 pm in City Hall Room 319. Members Present: Regan Miner (Vice Chairman) Nancy O’Neil Greg Johnson Members Absent: Scott Learned (Chairman), Richard Guideback and Timothy Dowhan I. Public Meeting The public meeting was convened at 5:40 pm. The order of COA presentations and discussions are at the discretion of the commission to accommodate all participants. ● COA #400 - Old Cemetery Lane (Norwich Area Veterans Council) - New Construction William Shishmanian of the Norwich Area Veteran’s Council stated they are looking to have a flag pole installed in the vicinity of Samuel Huntington’s grave near Old Cemetery Lane. Mr. Shishmanian noted that while there is a flag pole at the home of Samuel Huntington there is not one at his grave or anywhere in that cemetery which contains many veterans. William Shishmanian provided photographs showing their proposed location for the pole that they chose after a conversation with Barry Ellison at Norwich Public Works approximately a year prior that is both in the vicinity of Huntington’s grave and visible from both sides of the cemetery. Mr. Shishmanian stated the donated pole (slightly over 30 feet) would utilize a 4’ x 6’ stationary flag, ground solar lighting with no wiring and would require no maintenance. In the case of damages Mr. Shishmanian stated the City of NAVC would handle it.  ● COA #401 - 5 Crossway Street (Barros) - Windows Contractor Cynthia Bolanos presented on behalf of the owner an application for the replacement of 55 windows and provided options for all wood and aluminum clad windows. Along with stating the homeowner’s preference of aluminum clad windows, Ms. Bolanos also questioned if the existing six-over- six windows on one side of the home with four-over-four must remain as the homeowner prefers a uniform look. Cynthia Bolanos stated the homeowner is flexible but to go with wood windows would increase the time line from a few weeks to six months. II. Regular Meeting The regular meeting was convened at 6:17 PM. A. Action on COA’s ● COA #400 - Old Cemetery Lane - New Construction Regan Miner stated any time digging occurs in a historic cemetery the State Historic Preservation Office and the State Archeologist must be notified. Discussion ensued. Motion to approve the COA as presented per the review and determination of the State Historic Preservation Office (Greg Johnson, Nancy O’Neil seconded) was approved unanimously. ● COA #401 - 5 Crossway Street (Barros) - Windows Discussion ensured over the aluminum clad replacement windows versus the all wood window options presented. Regan Miner provided guidelines from the Secretary of the Department of Interior regarding rehabilitation standards which calls for like-for-like replacement. Motion to approve the COA as presented with the aluminum clad windows in the same style as existing (Greg Johnson, Nancy O’Neil seconded) failed. (Greg Johnson in favor, Nancy O’Neil and Regan Miner opposed). Motion to approve the COA as presented with the alternative proposal of all wood windows in the same style as existing (Nancy O’Neil, Regan Miner seconded) passed. (Nancy O’Neil, Regan Miner in favor, Greg Johnson opposed). B. Minutes of September 18, 2019 Regular Meeting • Motion to accept the September 18, 2019 Regular Meeting minutes as written with the revision of the New Business section and Mr. Gregory Johnson listed as an excused absence (Nancy O’Neil, Regan Miner seconded) was  approved. (Greg Johnson abstained) C. Chairman Report: None D. Old Business: None E. New Business: 2020 Meeting Schedule ● Motion to accept the 2020 Meeting schedule (Gregory Johnson, Regan Miner seconded) was approved unanimously. F. Next Meeting Date ● Scheduled for Wednesday November 20, 2019 at 5:30 PM. G. Adjournment ● Motion to adjourn the Regular Meeting At 7:19 PM (Regan Miner, Nancy O’Neil seconded) was approved unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Katherine Rose Recording Secretary