Historic District Commission

NORWICH HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Minutes of the July 20, 2022 Regular Meeting The regular meeting of the Historic District Commission was held Wednesday July 20, 2022 at 5:30 PM via Zoom virtual meeting. Members Present: Timothy Dowhan (Chairman) Regan Miner Jacob Stahl Gregory Farlow Members Absent: Nancy O’Neil and Gregory Johnson Guests: Joe Adams, Dianne Brown, Meghan Campbell and Josh Armstrong Timothy Dowhan 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 5:35 pm. The order of COA presentations and discussions are at the discretion of the commission to accommodate all participants. ● COA 491 – 16 Elm Avenue (Greg and Jennifer Johnson) – Reconstruction, Other The applicant was not in attendance. Timothy Dowhan reported that the applicant stated to him that the COA was for the replacement of aluminum gutters and three downspouts using like-for-like materials. ● COA 492 - 130 Union Street (Dianne Brown) - New Construction, Fixtures Dianne Brown showcased photos of her front entryway and stated it had not had a handrail in the past. Dianne Brown stated she chose a 38 inch tall wrought iron handrail that she thought would be appropriate for the home. Timothy Dowhan noted the handrail dimensions provided fell within the guidance for city building codes. Dianne Brown noted the hand rail would only be on one side. Timothy Dowhan discussed the consideration of which side the railing would sit, based on previous COAs. Dianne Brown clarified the railing would be on the same side of her staircase as the mailbox. ● COA 493 – 51 East Town Street (Candice Flewharty & Matthew Brown) – Reconstruction, Roofing, Masonry Josh Armstrong from Armstrong Chimney described the state of the existing chimney, which was in poor condition. Josh Armstrong stated the top piers and several courses would be redone and the existing concrete cap would be replaced with bluestone. Timothy Dowhan asked if any other structural work needed to be done to the chimney. Josh Armstrong responded that there was a crack in the chimney which may require more courses to be removed. Josh Armstrong stated he would be using like-for- like materials including the same style watsontown pavers. ● COA 494 – 7 Huntington Place (Joseph Adams) - Other Joseph Adams stated his COA was for the installation of mini-split air conditioning/heating units into the side of his home. Joseph Adams stated his home is currently not very insulated and the oil furnace steam system was not efficient. Joseph Adams stated four internal units would be put on the right side of the home with the first floor having the largest unit, which would require two condensers on the ground floor outside of the home. Joseph Adams stated they would use gray conduit material to match the siding of the home. Joseph Adams stated the electrician would install 20 amp service in the electrical panel after the installation work was done. Joseph Adams stated the conduit from the third and second floors would come down to meet the first floor units. Joseph Adams stated the shrubbery on the ground level would cover at least three-quarters of the view of the ground condensers from the street. Timothy Dowhan noted the COA mentioned a single 18,000 BTU wall unit and one condenser mounted on the rear of the home. Timothy Dowhan asked if the wall units  were visible from the outside other than the conduit to which Joseph Adams responded they were not. Joseph Adams explained that his original quote was for only the first floor units but he decided to put units on the other floors as well as it was within his budget. Joseph Adams stated his contractor said he would be able to tie in the conduit lines coming from the third, second and first floor units. Regan Miner asked if the applicant would be willing to add additional screening for the condensers if the units are taller than the existing shrubbery. Timothy Dowhan asked if all conduits would run up the home and into the different floors vertically. Joseph Adams stated they would and that they would attempt to run the conduit downward as straight as possible and noted the units were not directly above one another. Timothy Dowhan and Joseph Adams discussed the exact location of the condenser units, which would sit about 15 to 20 feet to the rear of the chimney. ● COA 495 - 17 Huntington Lane (Meghan Campbell) - Other, Addition Meghan Campbell stated she would like to put copper gas lights in the front of her home. Meghan Campbell stated the lights would be custom made and would like to put them on either side of the front door. Meghan Campbell stated the lights would be designed similar to a gas fireplace with a remote control and a backup valve. Meghan Campbell stated the lights would be connected to the town’s gas line as she already had lines coming into her home. Meghan Campbell stated the lights would have an emergency valve switch that would control how much gas was coming through the lines and shut off automatically. Meghan Campbell stated she would like to put in electric lights by the garage to match the style of gas lights. Regan Miner asked what size the lights would be and if clearance from the fire department was needed. Meghan Campbell stated she spoke to Dan Daniska and as far as she understood, if there was a remote to turn off the lights she did not need to involve any other departments. Meghan Campbell stated she believed that, like a gas fireplace, if the lights were not running consistently, she was in the clear. Meghan Campbell stated the lights by the door would be approximately 19 inches in length and the lights by the garage would be about 21 inches in length. Meghan Campbell stated the lights by the garage would be electric but similar in style and would be replacing an existing flood light. II. Regular Meeting The regular meeting was convened at 6:09 PM. A. Action on COA’s ● COA 491 – 16 Elm Avenue (Greg and Jennifer Johnson) – Reconstruction, Other Gregory Farlow made a motion to approve the COA as written. Jacob Stahl seconded. Gregory Farlow, Jacob Stahl, Regan Miner and Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. ● COA 492 - 130 Union Street (Dianne Brown) - New Construction, Fixtures Jacob Stahl made a motion to approve the COA as written and presented. Regan Miner seconded. Regan Miner stated she felt the wrought iron would be an attractive addition in line with the Greek revival style of the home. Jacob Stahl, Regan Miner, Gregory Farlow and Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. ● COA 493 – 51 East Town Street (Candice Flewharty & Matthew Brown) – Reconstruction, Roofing, Masonry Regan Miner made a motion to approve the COA as written and presented. Gregory Farlow seconded. Gregory Farlow, Jacob Stahl, Regan Miner and Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. ● COA 494 – 7 Huntington Place (Joseph Adams) - Other Regan Miner made a motion to approve the COA as written and presented, with the stipulation that appropriate outdoor screening be installed to hide the condensers from public view. Jacob Stahl seconded. Regan Miner stated that a type of greenery screening would be acceptable. Regan Miner, Jacob Stahl, Gregory Farlow and Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. ● COA 495 - 17 Huntington Lane (Meghan Campbell) - Other, Addition. Jacob Stahl made a motion to approve the COA as written and presented. Regan Miner seconded. Regan Miner stated she felt lights were attractive and would look nice and that her only concern was the applicant doing their due diligence with the fire department, which would not fall under their jurisdiction. Jacob Stahl, Regan Miner, Gregory Farlow and Timothy  Dowhan voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. B. Minutes of the Wednesday June 15, 2022 Meeting Minutes ● Regan Miner made a motion to approve the meeting minutes as written. Gregory Farlow seconded. Regan Miner, Timothy Dowhan, Jacob Stahl and Gregory Farlow voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. C. Chairman Report ● Timothy Dowhan discussed Richard Guidebeck’s resignation. Timothy Dowhan discussed the need to fill any board vacancies. Timothy Dowhan discussed his action item of mailing welcome packages to new historic district residents. D. Old Business ● None. E. New Business ● None. F. Next Meeting Date ● Scheduled for Wednesday August 17, 2022 at 5:30 PM. G. Adjournment ● Gregory Farlow made a motion to adjourn the Regular Meeting at 6:29 PM. Jacob Stahl seconded. Gregory Farlow, Regan Miner, Jacob Stahl and Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Katherine Rose Recording Secretary