Historic District Commission

NORWICH HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Minutes of the March 20, 2024 Regular Meeting 5:30PM via ZOOM & Room 319 of City Hall 100 Broadway, Norwich, CT Members Present: Regan Miner Jacob Stahl (ZOOM) Dayne Rugh Nancy O’Neil (ZOOM) Greg Johnson (ZOOM) Members Absent: Gregory Farlow and Timothy Dowhan (Chairman) Guests: Tyler Booth 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 5:33 pm. The order of COA presentations and discussions are at the discretion of the commission to accommodate all participants. ● COA 543 - 380 Washington Street (Tyler and Keri Booth) - Reconstruction, Roofing Tyler Booth explained the new COA was a follow up from the last meeting as they are now planning to utilize asphalt shingles to replace the entirety of the roof instead of just a portion of it with cedar shingles. Tyler Booth stated they contacted Scepanski Roofing per recommendation to get a cost on using cedar shakes to do the roof. Tyler Booth stated they were quoted $93,850 to cover the whole roof with asphalt shingles versus $272,900 for cedar shakes. Tyler Booth noted that aside from the cost difference, Scepanski Roofing stated they were putting cedar shakes on a garage for another project and were having extreme difficulty in sourcing the material. Tyler Booth stated that even if the cost were feasible he is not sure that they could find the cedar shake material to cover his roof. Tyler Booth stated that Harry Bledso was willing to start on the roof on April 1, 2024. Tyler Booth stated they are anxious to begin the work as since the last minute an active leak was found and they are worried about what damage is not being seen. Dayne Rugh clarified that the new COA is for the entire roof, while the previous COA was for a portion of the roof. Dayne Rugh asked Tyler Booth which of the asphalt shingle samples that Regan Miner, Jacob Stahl and himself had viewed was the thicker style. Tyler Booth responded that was the premium grade shingle which he had not received an exact quote on but was told it is twice as expensive as the Certain-teed Pro, which was one tier down from the premium. Tyler Booth stated that the closest sample they have found to emulate the color of a cedar shake was the Resawn Shake color. Regan Miner noted that the COA mentioned that color is not available in the premium grade shingle, although the premium would more resemble a cedar shake due to its thickness. Tyler Booth stated he and his wife wanted to maintain the historic quality  and value of the home by protecting it. Regan Miner stated that she and Dayne Rugh had recently encountered the director of the State Historic Preservation Office and was able to discuss the situation with her to get some feedback. Regan Miner reported the director relayed that SHPO recently put a cedar shingle roof on their museum property and the quality of the single was not what they expected, so they were worried they would need to replace the roof again somewhat soon. Regan Miner stated that the director spoke in favor of using the asphalt shingles as the main importance is to protect the historic property. II. Regular Meeting The regular meeting was convened at 5:40 PM. A. Action on COA’s ● COA 543 - 380 Washington Street (Tyler and Keri Booth) - Reconstruction, Roofing Jacob Stahl made a motion to approve the COA as written and presented. Nancy O’Neil seconded. Jacob Stahl, Nancy O’Neil, Dayne Rugh, Regan Miner and Gregory Johnson voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. B. Minutes of the Wednesday February 21, 2024 Meeting ● Nancy O’Neil made a motion to approve the February 21, 2024 meeting minutes. Dayne Rugh seconded. Jacob Stahl, Nancy O’Neil, Dayne Rugh, Regan Miner and Gregory Johnson voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. C. Chairman Report ● None D. Old Business ● COA 541 - 380 Washington Street (Tyler and Keri Booth) - Reconstruction, Roofing, Windows, Other Regan Miner reminded that the approval of COA 541 was contingent on the review of the sample asphalt shingle by Dayne Rugh, Jacob Stahl and herself. Regan Miner asked the commission to make a formal vote as it was an actionable item left open from the previous meeting. Dayne Rugh made a motion to approve the COA as written and presented, as stated under old business. Jacob Stahl seconded. Jacob Stahl, Nancy O’Neil, Dayne Rugh, Regan Miner and Gregory Johnson voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. E. New Business ● None.  F. Next Meeting Date ● Scheduled for Wednesday April 17, 2024 at 5:30 PM. G. Adjournment ● Greg Johnson made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting at 5:45 PM. Jacob Stahl seconded. Jacob Stahl, Nancy O’Neil, Dayne Rugh, Regan Miner and Gregory Johnson voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Katherine Rose Recording Secretary