Historic District Commission

NORWICH HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Minutes of the August 21, 2024 Regular Meeting Hybrid via ZOOM & Room 319, City Hall 100 Broadway, Norwich, CT 5:30PM Members Present: Timothy Dowhan (Chairman) Dayne Rugh (ZOOM) Gregory Farlow (ZOOM) Members Absent: Jacob Stahl, Greg Johnson, Nancy O’Neil and Regan Miner Guests: Evan Hall and Camilla Farlow 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 556 -142 McKinley Avenue (Evan Hall) - Alteration/Replacement, Residential Building, Windows Evan Hall stated he would be replacing all 41 windows on his home to match what is existing. Timothy Dowhan noted the windows were double- hung. Dayne Rugh asked if the home was within the historic district because as far as he could tell the address was not located in either local historic district. Timothy Dowhan confirmed this was correct and he did not realize this as the city building department advised the applicant they require a COA. II. Regular Meeting The regular meeting was convened at 5:44 PM. A. Action on COA’s There was no action to be taken. B. Minutes of the Monday June 24, 2024 Special Meeting ● Dayne Rugh made a motion to approve the May 28, 2024 special meeting minutes. Gregory Farlow seconded. Gregory Farlow, Dayne Rugh and Timothy Dohwan voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. C. Chairman Report ● Timothy Dowhan stated that Dan Coley reached out to him regarding foundation work at Joseph Carpenter Silversmith Shop and Timothy Dowhan advised him there was not a COA in place for it. Timothy Dowhan stated he reached out to the city attorney to see if the COA for the Society of the Founders of Norwich could be added to the agenda as it was already  posted, but he did not hear back. Timothy Dowhan noted it appeared that the work had already been done. Gregory Farlow stated that was correct. Timothy Dowhan stated he was not sure if the COA would be an administrative approval or if it would need to be put on the next meeting agenda. Greg Farlow stated she was told by the contractor a permit was not needed as the work was only a repair but after seeing the email from Timothy Dowhan she reached out to Dan Coley who advised him to submit a permit and COA. Camilla Farlow stated that someone from the city was on site that day to inspect the work. Camilla Farlow stated a permit was also submitted for the Leffingwell House doors as they needed to be replaced. Timothy Dowhan stated that COA would be on the next meeting agenda. Timothy Dowhan stated he would reach out to Dan Coley to see if the city was satisfied with the work and if any HDC approval is needed for any of the work. D. Old Business ● None. E. New Business ● Timothy Dowhan stated he received an email regarding electrical work at 3 Huntington Place that he did not believe would require a COA. Timothy Dowhan stated he noticed earlier that week the bed and breakfast at Lathrop Meadow was doing side work that was visible from public view and he did not see anything approved for that address recently other than roofing work. Dayne Rugh stated he recalled the homeowner coming to a meeting to discuss damage under a portion of the siding, but he would need to defer to the previous minutes to see if the work being done now is the same thing or different. Timothy Dowhan stated he also received an email from 5 Huntington Lane inquiring if the home was historic or if the commission had any information on the property. Gregory Farlow stated to refer them to the Leffingwell House. Timothy Dowhan reported that Jacob Stahl submitted his resignation from the commission effective September 1, 2024 and thanked him for his time. Timothy Dowhan encouraged members to recruit any interested parties they know to join the commission. Timothy Dowhan stated he still had planned to step down as the chair at the end of the year and still was looking for someone to fill that role. F. Next Meeting Date ● Scheduled for Wednesday September 18, 2024 G. Adjournment ● Gregory Farlow made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting at 6:08 PM. Dayne Rugh seconded. Nancy O’Neil, Gregory Farlow, Regan Miner, Gary Johnson, Dayne Rugh and Timothy Dohwan voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Katherine Rose Recording Secretary