Historic District Commission

NORWICH HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Minutes of the November 17, 2021 Regular Meeting The regular meeting of the Historic District Commission was held Wednesday November 17, 2021 at 5:30 PM via Zoom virtual meeting. Members Present: Regan Miner (Chairwoman) Timothy Dowhan Richard Guidebeck Nancy O’Neil Members Absent: Gregory Johnson and Gregory Farlow Guests: Cameron Reinhart. Regan Miner reviewed the rules of a virtual meeting and clearly notified participants that the meeting would be recorded. I. Public Meeting The public meeting was convened at 5:36 pm. The order of COA presentations and discussions are at the discretion of the commission to accommodate all participants. ● COA 474 – 365 Washington Street (City of Norwich) New Construction, Fixtures Regan Miner, stated on behalf of the Norwich Historical Society, that the NHS had been working with the city to repair the East District School House and they are looking to install a heating system in the building, as it currently does not have one. Regan Miner stated the NHS received funds through the Neighborhood Assistance Act. Regan Miner added that they are looking to install a split system with one floor unit and an air condensing unit installed behind the schoolhouse. Timothy Dowhan noted that the condensing unit looked similar to the one at the Joseph Silversmith Shop to which Regan Miner responded that it was essentially the same style unit, but that they would only be utilizing one instead of  two. ● COA 475 – 167 Broadway (Sharon Murphy-Normile) Preservation, Restoration, Other The applicant was not in attendance. ● COA 476 – 93 Union Street (Cameron Reinhart) New Construction, Other Cameron Reinhart stated he was intending to install a heat pump system in his home with two units and two condensers, which would sit on the north side of the home behind a fence. Cameron Reinhart stated the condensing units would not be very visible and that the system would assist in the preservation of the structure. ● COA 402 – 428 Washington Street (Vincenzo Race & Sara Franklin) Restoration, Roofs, Chimneys Regan Miner stated that the commission approved the COA a couple years ago and the applicants now need an extension, however the six-month extension period for the application had passed. Regan Miner instructed the applicant to re-submit the application and noted that the applicant stated the COA contained the same information as before. Timothy Dowhan stated the applicants relayed to him that they had gotten the chimney work completed so the COA would now just apply to the restoration and roof work, which was leaking worse than it was in 2019. Timothy Dowhan stated there had been delays with their contractor which caused the work to be put on hold. II. Regular Meeting The regular meeting was convened at 5:59 PM. A. Action on COA’s ● COA 474 – 365 Washington Street (City of Norwich) New Construction, Fixtures Richard Guidebeck made a motion to approve the COA as written and presented. Nancy O’Neil seconded. Richard Guidebeck, Nancy O’Neil and Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. Regan Miner abstained. The motion passed. ● COA 475 – 167 Broadway (Sharon Murphy-Normile) Preservation, Restoration, Other  Timothy Dowhan made a motion to approve the COA as written. Nancy O’Neil seconded. Timothy Dowhan noted that the applicant was using like- for-like wood materials and discussed the condition of the wood in some areas. Timothy Dowhan, Nancy O’Neil, Richard Guidebeck and Regan Miner voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. ● COA 476 – 93 Union Street (Cameron Reinhart) New Construction, Other Richard Guidebeck made a motion to approve the COA as written and presented. Nancy O’Neil seconded. Richard Guidebeck stated the condensing units would not be visible from the street to which Timothy Dowhan agreed and noted the placement behind the fence. Timothy Dowhan, Nancy O’Neil, Richard Guidebeck and Regan Miner voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. ● COA 402 – 428 Washington Street (Vincenzo Race & Sara Franklin) Restoration, Roofs, Chimneys Timothy Dowhan made a motion to approve the COA as written, without the chimney work. Nancy O’Neil seconded. Timothy Dowhan, Nancy O’Neil, Richard Guidebeck and Regan Miner voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. B. Minutes of Wednesday October 20, 2021 Regular Meeting and Thursday October 21, 2021 Special Meeting ● Nancy O’Neil made a motion to approve the meeting minutes as written Richard Guidebeck seconded. Richard Guidebeck, Nancy O’Neil, Timothy Dowhan and Regan Miner voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. C. Chairman Report ● None. D. Old Business ● None. E. New Business ● Finalize Date for Second Public Meeting  Discussion ensued regarding the second public meeting date and what would be presented during the meeting. Regan Miner stated she would follow up with Chris Skelly to see if combining the public meeting with the regular meeting on December 15th would work with his schedule. Regan Miner stated the information session would take place prior to the regular HDC meeting. F. Next Meeting Date ● Scheduled for Wednesday December 15, 2021 at 5:30 PM. G. Adjournment ● Richard Guidebeck made a motion to adjourn the Regular Meeting at 6:20 PM. Timothy Dowhan seconded. All voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Katherine Rose Recording Secretary