Historic District Commission

NORWICH HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Minutes of the October 18, 2023 Regular Meeting The regular meeting of the Historic District Commission was held October 18, 2023 at 5:30 PM via Hybrid meeting in Room 319 of City Hall and via ZOOM. Members Present: Timothy Dowhan (Chairman) Jacob Stahl (ZOOM) Dayne Rugh (ZOOM) Gregory Farlow (ZOOM) Members Absent: Nancy O’Neil, Regan Miner and Greg Johnson Guests: Joe Cirrito, Brian McDonald and Arthur Charbonnier 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 532 - 89 Union Street (Aaron Daniels) - Gutters Brian McDonald from Rhino Back Roofing noted that he briefly discussed the project at the September HDC meeting. Brian McDonald stated that when the roof on the home was replaced a few months prior it was discovered that the existing yankee gutters on the home were in complete disrepair, and an emergency decision was made to put new five inch white K-style gutters on the home. Brian McDonald stated that many homes in the neighborhood had the same style gutters. Brian McDonald stated in addition to approval for the gutters the homeowner was seeking to put a rain diverter on the home to help maintain a historic look. Brian McDonald explained the diverter is a piece of metal that comes up about two or three inches and is incorporated into the roof shingles. Brian McDonald stated the diverter would feed water into the gutters on the sides of the home. Brian McDonald stated that the metal of the diverter would be similar in color to the roof so that it blended in. Timothy Dowhan asked what width in the front of the home the diverter would cover. Brian McDonald responded it would be 39 feet and would go three to four courses of shingles upward. ● COA 533 - 81-83 East Town Street (First Congregational Church) - Fixtures Joe Cirrito stated that the heating system at the First Congregational Church had failed and they are looking to replace it with an upgraded  system. Joe Cirrito stated the new system would have heat pumps and air conditioners. Joe Cirrito stated that the COA was for the two air condenser units being placed in the rear of the building. Joe Cirrito stated the condensers were approximately three feet by three feet in size and could not be seen unless you were to drive to the rear of the building. Joe Cirrito stated the condensers would sit within the jog in the rear of the building, located on the grass side of the property. Dayne Rugh asked if the units were only going on the church and not the rectory building, which Joe Cirrito responded was correct. Tim Dowhan asked if any piping from the units would travel within the church. Joe Cirrito stated the piping and electrical would go through the church and into the basement. ● COA 534 - 26 Coit Lane (Maria Miranda) - Restoration, Roofing Arthur Charbonnier stated the homeowner was looking to remove the existing asphalt shingles on the home and install a new thirty-year roof with asphalt shingles. Arthur Charbonnier stated the shingles were changing from a brown color to light gray architectural style shingles. Arthur Charbonnier stated they would be replacing the drip edge as well, but all the gutters on the home appeared to be new. II. Regular Meeting The regular meeting was convened at 5:45 PM. A. Action on COA’s ● COA 532 - 89 Union Street (Aaron Daniels) - Gutters Dayne Rugh made a motion to approve the COA as written and presented. Jacob Stahl seconded. Dayne Rugh, Jacob Stahl, Gregory Farlow and Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. ● COA 533 - 81-83 East Town Street (First Congregational Church) - Fixtures Dayne Rugh made a motion to approve the COA as written and presented. Gregory Farlow seconded. Jacob Stahl noted that he wished there were photos and more information included with the COA. Discussion ensued. Dayne Rugh noted a ductless condenser was approved for installation on the rear of the Joseph Carpenter Silversmith Shop a few properties down. Jacob Stahl, Gregory Farlow, Dayne Rugh and Timothy Dowhan voted in opposition. The motion failed unanimously. ● COA 534 - 26 Coit Lane (Maria Miranda) - Restoration, Roofing Dayne Rugh made a motion to approve the COA as written and presented. Gregory Farlow seconded. Jacob Stahl noted there was no information included to show the color or look of the replacement shingles. Dayne Rugh, Jacob Stahl, Gregory Farlow and Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. B. Minutes of the Wednesday September 20, 2023 Meetings  ● Jacob Stahl made a motion to approve the September 20, 2023 meeting minutes. Gregory Farlow seconded. Dayne Rugh, Jacob Stahl, Gregory Farlow and Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. C. Chairman Report ● None. D. Old Business ● None. E. New Business ● Legal Notices Timothy Dowhan reported he still has been in discussions with the city regarding how the notices affect the overall HDC budget that was previously approved. Timothy Dowhan stated he had been notified it was required for the notices to be published in The Day paper. He is currently investigating the content requirement for the notices. Timothy Dowhan stated he was planning to ask the city clerk's office about possible options to shorten overall notice in an effort to keep the cost down. ● Updated COA Application Timothy Dowhan stated that Regan Miner had emailed sample COA’s from other towns for members to review in an effort to update the existing HDC COA. Timothy Dowhan stated he worked on revisions that he would review with Regan Miner to present at the next regularly scheduled meeting. ● 2024 Meeting Schedule Timothy Dowhan stated that the 2024 Meeting Schedule was distributed to members and did not need to be voted on. Timothy Dowhan confirmed that members wanted to continue hybrid meetings at the same date and time each month. F. Next Meeting Date ● Scheduled for Wednesday November 15, 2023 at 5:30 PM. G. Adjournment ● Jacob Stahl made a motion to adjourn the Regular Meeting at 6:23 PM.  Dayne Rugh seconded. Dayne Rugh, Jacob Stahl, Gregory Farlow and Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Katherine Rose Recording Secretary