Historic District Commission

NORWICH HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Minutes of the November 16, 2022 Regular Meeting The regular meeting of the Historic District Commission was held Wednesday November 16, 2022 at 5:30 PM via Zoom virtual meeting. Members Present: Timothy Dowhan (Chairman) Regan Miner Jacob Stahl Gregory Johnson Gregory Farlow Nancy O’Neil (arrived at 6:10PM) Members Absent: None. Guests: 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 5:31 pm. The order of COA presentations and discussions are at the discretion of the commission to accommodate all participants. ● COA 502 - 417 Washington Street (Jacob & Deb Stahl) - Restoration, New Construction, Other Jacob Stahl reported his home was suffering from rot along its base and around the windows in the basement. Jacob Stahl showcased a photo of the home detailing the damage on screen for all to see. Jacob Stahl stated there were three windows in total as well as a door sill that were affected.  Jacob Stahl stated he would like to replace the damaged wood, but would not be replacing any clapboards or brick. Jacob Stahl showcased a photo of the front door sill, which was separating from the door jam, on screen for all to see. Jacob Stahl stated he received a quote for the sill and was waiting on quotes for the baseboard and windows pending COA approval. Jacob Stahl clarified that the windows themselves would not be replaced, just the wood framing and sills. ● COA 503 - 417 Washington Street (Jacob & Deb Stahl) - Restoration, Reconstruction, New Construction, Other Jacob Stahl stated that new gutters needed to be installed on his home and clarified that he submitted two different COA’s for the project. Jacob Stahl stated that COA 503 was for the replacement of the existing fascia of the home with a flat face that would be painted to match the home. Jacob Stahl explained that when the roof was put in place the shingles were installed over existing wood gutters, which led water to seep into the basement. Jacob Stahl stated they have been unable to put gutters in because of the existing downspouts. Jacob Stahl stated the proposal from the contractor detailed cutting back the existing shingles to reduce the roof overhang slightly and installing a proper flat fascia on the front of the home to which a proper gutter system would be attached. Jacob Stahl stated that this approach would be the only way to put gutters on the front of his home. Jacob Stahl clarified that the existing metal flashing on the home covers the old wood gutter and that the shingles that would be cut back were not supported by plywood so the roof itself was not being altered. ● COA 504 - 417 Washington Street (Jacob & Deb Stahl) - Restoration, Reconstruction, New Construction, Other Jacob Stahl stated, in continuation with his gutter project, COA 504 is for the requested removal of the existing wood gutter on the front of the home and the gray gutter that surrounds the garage. Jacob Stahl continued that the middle downspout on the front of the home would be removed and a new downspout would be on the corner of the home that faces the road. Jacob Stahl proposed a black gutter for the front of the home, front of the garage and side of the garage, similar to what is used on the Leffingwell House. Jacob Stahl stated the new gutters would surround the entire home but noted the back of the home was not visible from the public right of way. Regan Miner asked if the gutters would be aluminum to which Jacob Stahl responded he believed so. ● COA 505 - 417 Washington Street (Jacob & Deb Stahl) - Restoration, Reconstruction, New Construction, Other Jacob Stahl stated the COA was for the replacement of the light on the  front of the home to the right of the front door. Jacob Stahl stated that one socket inside of the existing light was dead and that the light was rusting out. Jacob Stahl stated they would like to update the fixture as well as have the option for a regular bulb that can be used with a security system. Jacob Stahl reported that the diameter and size of the proposed replacement light was very close to the current fixture. Jacob Stahl showcased photos of the proposed fixture on screen for all to see. Jacob Stahl stated that any caulking that needed to occur would be clear and if painting was needed it would match the color of the home. II. Regular Meeting The regular meeting was convened at 6:00 PM. A. Action on COA’s ● COA 502 - 417 Washington Street (Jacob & Deb Stahl) - Restoration, New Construction, Other Regan Miner made a motion to accept the COA as written presented Gregory Johnson seconded. Regan Miner stated the work was necessary to get done. Gregory Farlow, Regan Miner, Gregory Johnson and Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. Jacob Stahl abstained. The motion passed. ● COA 503 - 417 Washington Street (Jacob & Deb Stahl) - Restoration, Reconstruction, New Construction, Other Regan Miner made a motion to accept the COA as written and presented. Gregory Johnson seconded. Greg Farlow, Regan Miner, Gregory Johnson and Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. Jacob Stahl abstained. The motion passed. ● COA 504 - 417 Washington Street (Jacob & Deb Stahl) - Restoration, Reconstruction, New Construction, Other Gregory Johnson made a motion to accept the COA as written and presented. Regan Miner seconded. Gregory Farlow, Regan Miner, Gregory Johnson and Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. Jacob Stahl abstained. The motion passed. ● COA 505 - 417 Washington Street (Jacob & Deb Stahl) - Restoration, Reconstruction, New Construction, Other Regan Miner made a motion to accept the COA as written and presented. Gregory Farlow seconded. Gregory Farlow, Regan Miner, Gregory Johnson and Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. Jacob Stahl abstained. The motion passed. B. Minutes of the Wednesday October 19, 2022 Meeting Minutes ● Gregory Farlow made a motion to approve the meeting minutes as written. Jacob Stahl seconded. Regan Miner, Jacob Stahl, Gregory Farlow, and Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. Gregory Johnson abstained. The motion passed. C. Chairman Report ● Timothy Dowhan and Regan Miner discussed if correspondence had been received from the city in regards to the 2023 budget. Regan Miner stated she would follow up with the city. D. Old Business ● Timothy Dowhan reported that the homeowner of 171 Broadway had inquired about submitting a COA, but nothing had been received yet Nancy O’Neil joined meeting at 6:10PM ● Timothy Dowhan stated Regan Miner saw a shed was erected at 16 Huntington Lane, but had not seen a COA submitted for the work. Timothy Dowhan added that homeowner Vincent Verdi requested suggestions on an architect to assist with the design of his front entrance for a future potential COA and that Miranda Creative had contacted the HDC regarding installing new trim border, for which a COA had not yet been submitted. E. New Business ● Discussion ensued regarding interviews for vacancies. ● Regan Miner reported there would be a virtual local historic district training hosted by the SHPO office on November 30th at 7PM. Regan Miner stated she would forward the information to members. F. Next Meeting Date ● Scheduled for Wednesday December 21, 2022 at 5:30 PM.  G. Adjournment ● Gregory Johnson made a motion to adjourn the Regular Meeting at 6:18 PM. Gregory Farlow seconded. Gregory Farlow, Nancy O'Neil, Regan Miner, Jacob Stahl and Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Katherine Rose Recording Secretary