Historic District Commission

NORWICH HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Minutes of the April 17, 2024 Regular Meeting Hybrid via ZOOM & Room 319, City Hall 100 Broadway, Norwich, CT 5:30PM Members Present: Timothy Dowhan (Chairman) Regan Miner Nancy O’Neil (ZOOM) Jacob Stahl (ZOOM) Members Absent: Greg Johnson, Gregory Farlow and Dayne Rugh Guests: Richard Revere (ZOOM), Matthew Brown (ZOOM), Tom Callinan, Lillian Pereira 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 5:34 pm. The order of COA presentations and discussions are at the discretion of the commission to accommodate all participants. Went out of order, Tom first. ● COA 544 - 51 East Town Street (Candice Flewharty) - Reconstruction, Driveway Matthew Brown stated that the driveway at their home had been in terrible condition since they moved into the home in 2007 and had always been on their list to fix. Matthew Brown stated they would like to replace the existing driveway with gravel and do a drainage correction towards the end of the driveway near the road, where a pond formed whenever there was more than an inch of rain. Matthew Brown stated the material would switch from an unlevel chunky asphalt to a level layer of gravel. Matthew Brown stated a fringe drain would go in under the low spot of the driveway where water collects. Timothy Dowhan noted that the COA stated the parking area would be sealed, which Matthew Brown stated was correct. Timothy Dowhan asked what color the driveway would be. Matthew Brown responded it would be a dark gray crushed stone. ● COA 545 - 171 Broadway (Lillian Pereira) - Other, Heat Pump, Mini Splits Lillian Pereira of City Mechanical stated she was hired by Amanda Plateroti and was proposing to install mini splits to replace a broken furnace at the property. Lillian Pereira explained the single furnace located at the property cracked and left the building without heat. Lillian Pereira stated that the installation should be simple but due to the structure of the home they are unable to go through the walls. Lillian Pereira continued that they still plan to attempt that, but in the worst case scenario, which is what was proposed in the COA, the accessory lines would be on the outside of the home. Lillian Pereira stated there would be four condensers put in the rear of the home; one per unit. Lillian Pereira showed an example of the white acrylic gutter-like material that would hide the accessory lines if they needed to go that route. Lillian Pereira explained those would one be visible from the public way on the north side of the home. Amanda Plateroti stated there would be two condensers on the bottom rear of the home, one on the second floor and one on the top floor. ● COA 546 - 161 Broadway (Michael Rubino) - Other, Heating Lillian Pereira of City Mechanical stated the COA was for installing condensers in the rear of the hall and that no duct sling would be needed, as all the ducts would run through the walls and basement. ● COA 547 - 193 Broadway (Lillian Pereira) - Other, Fencing Lillian Pereira stated that the COA was to install a privacy fence with a gate, but the hardware would be installed on the inside of the gate towards the home so that from the streetview it would appear to be a continuous part of the fence. Lillian Pereira stated the fence would be painted white. Timothy Dowhan noted that the commission did not have jurisdiction over colors. ● COA 548 - 25 Otis Street (Adeline Nelson) - Roofing Adeline Nelson stated the COA was for the replacement of her roof due to leaking in her home. Jacob Stahl asked what color the replacement shingles would be. Adeline Nelson responded they would be the same color as the existing shingles. Timothy Dowhan noted the COA called for the use of architectural asphalt shingles and included the roof of the porch, as well as the entire home. Timothy Dowhan added that if any work was to be done to the gutters it would require an additional COA. ● COA 549 - 55 East Town Street (Thomas Callinan and Ann Shapiro) - Preservation, Restoration, Masonry, Chimney Tom Callinan reported that the chimney of his 1793 home, that he has lived in since 2007, was installed in the mid-1970’s and connected to a wood stove that they have not used in several years. Tom Callinan stated that the chimney gets frost heaves each year and causes the interior paint on the bricks of his home to chip off. Tom Callinan stated he was unsure if this was due to the chimney not being installed properly or deterioration over the years. Tom Callinan stated that he would like to address the chimney sooner than later due to safety concerns. Tom Callinan stated that Richard Revere would be doing the work. Tom Callinan stated he has repaired the area in the past which holds for a while, until the frost heaves occur again.Tom Callinan added that there is also mortar disintegration on the riprap foundations of the home. Tom Callinan stated the foundation has been that way since they moved into the home but has further deteriorated. Timothy Dowhan asked if a special mortar would be used to match up the joints. Richard Rever responded that he would be using a Portland mixture with some lime which dries to a whiter consistency than other mortars. Timothy Dowhan asked if the chimney was visible from the public right of way. Tom Callinan responded it was slightly during a small portion of the year, due to foliage, from Mediterranean Avenue. Regan Miner asked Richard Rever what type of bricks would be used. Richard Rivere responded that a red common brick, made to look like an older red brick, would be used and covered with a stucco finish, then painted to match the existing. II. Regular Meeting The regular meeting was convened at 6:16 PM. A. Action on COA’s ● COA 544 - 51 East Town Street (Candice Flewharty) - Reconstruction, Driveway Jacob Stahl made a motion to approve the COA as written and presented. Regan Miner seconded. Regan Miner, Nancy O’Neil, Jacob Stahl and Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. ● COA 545 - 171 Broadway (Lillian Pereira) - Other, Heat Pump, Mini Splits Nancy O’Neil made a motion to approve the COA as written and presented. Jacob Stahl seconded. Regan Miner, Nancy O’Neil, Jacob Stahl and Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. ● COA 546 - 161 Broadway (Michael Rubino) - Other, Heating Nancy O’Neil made a motion to approve the COA as written and presented. Regan Miner seconded. Regan Miner, Nancy O’Neil, Jacob Stahl and Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. ● COA 547 - 193 Broadway (Lillian Pereira) - Other, Fencing Regan Miner made a motion to approve the COA as written and presented. Jacob Stahl seconded. Regan Miner, Nancy O’Neil, Jacob Stahl and Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. ● COA 548 - 25 Otis Street (Adeline Nelson) - Roofing Regan Miner made a motion to replace the roof as presented and submitted. Nancy O’Neil seconded. Regan Miner noted the approval was only for the work on the roof and any other work discussed in the public hearing would require an additional COA. Regan Miner, Nancy O’Neil, Jacob Stahl and Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. ● COA 549 - 55 East Town Street (Thomas Callinan and Ann Shapiro) - Preservation, Restoration, Masonry, Chimney Regan Miner made a motion to approve the COA as written and presented. Nancy O’Neil seconded. Regan Miner, Nancy O’Neil, Jacob Stahl and Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. B. Minutes of the Wednesday March 20, 2024 Meeting ● Nancy O’Neil made a motion to approve the March 20, 2024 meeting minutes. Jacob Stahl seconded. Regan Miner, Nancy O’Neil, Jacob Stahl and Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. C. Chairman Report ● Timothy Dowhan reported that the updated COA application has been linked on the city website. Timothy Dowhan stated that he did ask the city IT department to make the form fillable to make things easier for applicants, and would follow up with them on this. Timothy Dowhan stated the IT department was unsure of the possibility for applicants to add additional pages or images to the COA online. Timothy Dowhan suggested the COA application be in a Word document format that may allow for that instead of a PDF. Regan Miner stated she attended another city planning meeting on behalf of the HDC but had nothing substantial to report. D. Old Business ● Timothy Dowhan stated he was notified by the city building department that when the homeowners of 380 Washington Street went to submit a building permit it was noticed that a different contractor and slightly different material was listed than what was on the approved COA. Timothy Dowhan stated the building department asked the homeowners to go back to the HDC and the issue was resolved. E. New Business ● Discussion on Procedures for Emergency Issues: Timothy Dowhan stated that the tenants 171 Broadway had received an eviction notice when the furnace died, as the building was condemned due to a lack of heat. Timothy Dowhan stated that the property owner requested a special meeting but even if it had been possible to schedule one it would not have occurred much sooner than the regularly scheduled meeting, and likely would not have impacted the project timeline. Timothy Dowhan asked the members how they would like to address emergency situations in the historic districts. Regan Miner stated that emergency situations would need to be addressed on a case-by-case basis, which is the guideline recommendation provided by the State Historic Preservation Office. ● Regan Miner noted concerns with the regular May meeting due to her own schedule and was aware that Timothy Dowhan would be out of the state. Regan Miner stated that due to a new work position she would likely be stepping down as the Vice Chairman. Jacob Stahl stated he also would not be available for the regular May meeting, and Nancy O’Neil noted she may have a scheduling conflict as well. Regan Miner suggested canceling the regular May meeting and scheduling a special meeting if necessary. Nancy O’Neil made a motion to cancel the regular May meeting and leave the availability open to schedule a special meeting if needed. Jacob Stahl seconded. Regan Miner, Nancy O’Neil, Jacob Stahl and Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. F. Next Meeting Date ● Scheduled for Wednesday May 15, 2024 at 5:30 PM. (Canceled) G. Adjournment ● Jacob Stahl made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting at 6:56 PM. Nancy O’Neil seconded. Regan Miner, Nancy O’Neil, Jacob Stahl and  Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Katherine Rose Recording Secretary