Historic District Commission

NORWICH HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Minutes of the May 8, 2020 Special Meeting The special meeting of the Historic District Commission was held Friday May 8, 2020 at 12:00PM via Zoom virtual meeting. Members Present: Regan Miner (Acting Chairwoman) Timothy Dowhan Nancy O’Neil Richard Guideback Members Absent: Greg Johnson Guests: Vincent Verdi and Kylene Thompson I. Public Meeting The public meeting was convened at 12:01 pm. The order of COA presentations and discussions are at the discretion of the commission to accommodate all participants. ● COA 415 – 377 Washington Street (Vincent Verdi) Reconstruction, Roof Vincent Verdi stated he is looking to repair and replace two major sections of his home’s roof due to severe leaks in several places that are causing major damage to the inside of the property. Mr. Verdi stated he would like to replace the roof with like-for-like original style cedar shingles as soon as possible to prevent further interior and structural damage. Vincent Verdi stressed the current emergency status of the roof. Timothy Dowhan asked if any other fascia or trim was rotted other than the roof and the underlying layer and if it would be replaced. Vincent Verdi responded no, however that the roofer would have to determine how much damage exists underneath the shingles so structural items may need to be replaced dependent on their findings, but nothing would be visible to the public. In response to a question by Timothy Dowhan, Vincent Verdi clarified that the project is not a full roof replacement as certain portions  had been replaced in the past. Nancy O’Neil clarified that the portions of the roof that are not being replaced are in good condition which Mr. Verdi stated was correct. Vincent Verdi expressed the urgency of being able to complete repairs before further damage is done. ● COA 416 – 61 East Town Street (Kylene Thompson) Reconstruction, Porch Railing Kylene Thompson stated her property at 61 East Town Street has an all-wood porch that is in need of replacement due to rot. Kylene Thompson stated the property is for sale so the repairs need to be completed in a timely manner in order to sell the home. Kylene Thompson stated her plan is to replace the damaged wood with like-for-like material and will be painted Accessible Beige to match the previous existing structure and it will match the house. Kylene Thompson clarified that a portion of the work had begun due to the appraiser requesting the removal of the rotting wood. Kylene Thompson stated she is planning to finish the new porch with the same caps used on the fencing on her property which was previously approved by the Commission to create a uniform look. Richard Guidebeck asked if the porch would be pressured treated wood with square spindles which Kylene Thompson stated was correct. Timothy Dowhan questioned if there had been a decorative spindles and posts in the past based on images he had seen on Google Earth. Discussion regarding the design ensued. II. Regular Meeting The regular meeting was convened at 12:34 PM. A. Action on COA’s • COA 415 – 377 Washington Street (Vincent Verdi) Reconstruction, Roof Nancy O’Neil made a motion accept the COA as presented and submitted. Timothy Dowhan seconded the motion. Regan Miner, Tim Dowhan and Nancy O’Neil voted in favor. Richard Guidebeck abstained. The motion passed. • COA 416 – 61 East Town Street (Kylene Thompson) Reconstruction, Porch Railing Richard Guidebeck made a motion to approve the COA as presented and submitted. Nancy O’Neil seconded the motion. During discussion, the Commission deliberated the previous detail and style of the balusters, spindles and railings of the porch. The results of the discussion determined that the new  porch balusters would have a different design and style than what previously existed. Timothy Dowhan made an amended motion to approve the COA as presented and submitted with the following modifications: the reconstruction of the porch balusters match and retain the previous baluster design and detail using like for like wood materials and installing the cap on the baluster posts which match the existing cap on the fence. Nancy O’Neil seconded. Regan Miner, Timothy Dowhan, Nancy O’Neil and Richard Guidebeck voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. B. Minutes of Wednesday April 15, 2020 Regular Meeting ● Vote was deferred to the next scheduled meeting. C. Chairman Report: None. D. Old Business: None. E. New Business: None. F. Next Meeting Date: ● Scheduled for Monday May 18, 2020 at 4:00 PM. G. Adjournment ● Nancy O’Neil made a motion to adjourn the Special Meeting at 1:09 PM. Timothy Dowhan seconded. Richard Guideback, Nancy O’Neil, Timothy Dowhan and Regan Miner voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Katherine Rose Recording Secretary