Historic District Commission

NORWICH HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Minutes of the June 21, 2023 Regular Meeting The regular meeting of the Historic District Commission was held Wednesday June 21, 2023 at 5:30 PM via Hybrid meeting in Room 319 of City Hall and via ZOOM. Members Present: Timothy Dowhan (Chairman) Regan Miner Jacob Stahl Gregory Farlow Gregory Johnson Nancy O’Neil Dayne Rugh Members Absent: 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 5:30 pm. The order of COA presentations and discussions are at the discretion of the commission to accommodate all participants. ● COA 523 - 12 Elm Avenue (James Justice) - Other, Electrical The applicant was not in attendance. ● COA 524 - 67 East Town Street (Dayne Rugh & Regan Miner) - Reconstruction, New Construction, Perimeter, Other Dayne Rugh stated that the driveway to 67 East Town Street intersects between 71 and 69 East town Street, making the area where their cars are parked somewhat visible to the public right of way. Dayne Rugh continued that the area where they park their cars is currently a crushed stone parking pad located directly behind the Lathrop Schoolhouse. Dayne Rugh stated they would like to pave the area to make it easier to park cars and shovel snow during the winter. Dayne Rugh stated the paved pad would be more inline with the style of the neighborhood. Dayne Rugh stated they would remove the existing arborvitae and replace them with more attractive arborvitae trees that would also provide better coverage. Dayne Rugh stated the last portion of the project was to put a simple split rail fence between the parking area and the trees to give a more finished landscape aesthetic. Dayne Rugh stated they would add perennials or ornamental plants to improve the appearance later on. Dayne Rugh reviewed photos of the area on screen for all to see. Gregory Johnson asked if they would pave over to the garage or just where the cars sit.  Dayne Rugh responded only where cars are shown in photos. ● COA 525 - 17 Huntington Lane (Pamela Campbell) - Roofing The applicant was not in attendance. II. Regular Meeting The regular meeting was convened at 5:40 PM. A. Action on COA’s ● COA 523 - 12 Elm Avenue (James Justice) - Other, Electrical Dayne Rugh made a motion to approve the COA as written. Gregory Farlow seconded. Gregory Johnson noticed wires were contained in a large conduit, and questioned if that was a regular practice. Timothy Dowhan stated he believed it would assist in preventing water from accessing the wires. Regan Miner suggested requesting the applicant paint the electrical box to match the home as to not be obtrusive. Gregory Farlow, Gregory Johnson, Nancy O’Neil, Dayne Rugh, Regan Miner and Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. ● COA 524 - 67 East Town Street (Dayne Rugh & Regan Miner) - Reconstruction, New Construction, Perimeter, Other Jacob Stahl made a motion to approve the COA as written and presented. Nancy O’Neil seconded. Gregory Farlow, Gregory Johnson, Nancy O’Neil and Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. Regan Miner and Dayne Rugh abstained. The motion passed. ● COA 525 - 17 Huntington Lane (Pamela Campbell) - Roofing Nancy O’Neil made a motion to approve the COA as written. Dayne Rugh seconded. Nancy O’Neil appears the work is to be the same as what was approved on the other portion of the property. Timothy Dowhan agreed and stated he believed the COA was a requirement of the building department. Gregory Farlow, Gregory Johnson, Nancy O’Neil, Dayne Rugh, Regan Miner and Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. B. Minutes of the Wednesday May 17, 2023 Meeting Minutes ● Nancy O’Neil made a motion to approve the meeting minutes. Jacob Stahl seconded. Gregory Farlow, Gregory Johnson, Nancy O’Neil, Dayne Rugh, Regan Miner voted in favor. Timothy Dowhan abstained. The motion passed. C. Chairman Report ● Timothy Dowhan reported he saw some correspondence regarding the  Norwich budget being approved and had a call in to Deanna Rhodes to follow up. Timothy Dowhan noted that Regan Miner was contacted by the Building Department regarding the demolition of 233-235 Central Avenue. Timothy Dowhan stated the HDC does not have any official involvement but Regan Miner requested photos be taken of the property prior to demolition. D. Old Business ● Timothy Dowhan discussed the follow-up request on COA’s that was discussed briefly at last month’s meeting. Gregory Johnson and Timothy Dowhan discussed following up on a COA that was submitted for a home on Washington Street Extension. Timothy Dowhan stated he would look into it. Timothy Dowhan stated he had not heard anything in regards to the Bed & Breakfast issue since the cease and desist notice was served. Discussion ensued. Nancy O’Neil left the meeting at 5:54 PM. E. New Business ● None. F. Next Meeting Date ● Scheduled for Wednesday July 19, 2023 at 5:30 PM. G. Adjournment ● Dayne Rugh made a motion to adjourn the Regular Meeting at 5:55 PM. Jacob Stahl seconded. Gregory Farlow, Gregory Johnson, Dayne Rugh, Regan Miner and Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Katherine Rose Recording Secretary