Historic District Commission

NORWICH HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Minutes of the October 16, 2024 Regular Meeting Hybrid via ZOOM & Room 319, City Hall 100 Broadway, Norwich, CT 5:30PM Members Present: Timothy Dowhan (Chairman) Nancy O’Neil (ZOOM) Gregory Farlow (ZOOM) Dayne Rugh (ZOOM) Greg Johnson (ZOOM) Members Absent: Regan Miner Guests: Dan Riley (ZOOM), Karen Moore, Kyle Moore and Jason Largent. I. Public Meeting The public meeting was convened at 5:32 pm. The order of COA presentations and discussions are at the discretion of the commission to accommodate all participants. ● COA 559 - 20 Harland Road (Jason Largent) - Routine Maintenance, Roofing, Chimney Jason Largent stated that his COA was to address the ridge pole of his wood roof which has rotted and been destroyed by squirrel activity. Jason Largent stated that three different roofing contractors suggested putting a metal cap across the top. Jason Largent stated he is looking to retain the wood roof and this would allow 99% of it to be retained. Jason Largent stated that the flashing around the chimney would be replaced with like- for-like materials. Timothy Dowhan asked if it would be a copper cap. Jason Largent responded that to his understanding the metal would have a finish that looks like copper and the wood would blend with it visually. Jason Largent stated that from the roadway it would not be a noticeable change. Jason Largent stated the roof itself would be treated with a type of water seal to relax the shingles, as he learned they should be oiled every three-to-five years. Jason Largent stated the treatment was up to code with Connecticut guidelines and was environmentally friendly. Jason Largent stated in addition to the roof work he would like to put an actual gutter on his home similar to the one at Leffingwell Inn. Jason Largent stated his home did not have a gutter when he purchased it so he constructed a copper lined wood gutter, but it has been recommended to him that a real gutter be placed on his home. Timothy D0whan recommended submitting a COA for the work. Discussion ensued. ● COA 560 - 71 East Town Street (Society of the Founders of Norwich) - Addition, History Museum, Masonry Greg Farlow stated the Joseph Carpenter Silversmith Shop never had a gutter on the front, only a copper one in the rear. Greg Farlow stated that the rain creates a trench along the front of the home. Greg Farlow stated they would like to place bluestone slabs atop the water trench area to  divert the water from the home, as it seeped into the foundation and basement. Greg Farlow stated the stones would only be in front of the home similar to what is at the Leffingwell House and 2 Elm Street. Greg Farlow stated that Hyde Landscaping would do the work. ● COA 561 - 5 Town Street (Carrie Arleaga) - Alteration/Replacement, Residential Building, Windows The applicant was not in attendance. ● COA 562 - 21 West Town Street (Karen Moore) - Alteration/Replacement, Residential Building, Windows Karen Moore stated she purchased her 1750’s home in December 2023 and was told at the time there were eight windows that would need to be replaced. Karen Moore stated she was told the remaining windows were previously replaced with Andersen windows. Karen Moore stated she found Lincoln brand windows that match the existing Andersen window. Karen Moore stated the home is losing heat from the deteriorating single- pane windows, many of which cannot be opened. Karen Moore stated she is looking to replace six windows on the second floor and two attic windows, one on either end of the home. Timothy Dowhan noted the specification sheet provided with the COA called for six-over-six windows where the existing windows are nine-over-six. Timothy Dowhan stated the COA called for aluminum clad windows. Gregory Johnson clarified that the outside of the frame would be white. Karen Moore stated that was correct and that look would match the existing Andersen windows on the ground floor. Dayne Rugh asked the applicant if they knew when the other windows in the home were replaced. Karen Moore stated she was unsure and the previous owner had the property for 21 years. Gregory Johnson asked if the Andersen windows were aluminum clad as well. Karen Moore responded that they were. Karen Moore added that she realized she attached the wrong manufacturer quote to her COA and that the replacement windows would in fact be nine-over-six, like the existing grid pattern. ● COA 563 - 16 Huntington Lane (Donald Michels) - Alteration/Replacement, Residential Building, Gutters Dan Riley presented the application on behalf of the homeowner. Dan Riley stated the homeowner was looking to replace the existing gutters on the left side of the home and everything visible from the road with copper gutters. Dan Riley stated they would like to do this for an aesthetic purpose as well as due to the current gutter failings that were creating damage to the front of the home. Timothy Dowhan asked if the gutters would be six or five inches. Dan Riley stated he believed they would be six inches. Timothy Dowhan asked if the replacement work included any downspouts. Dan Riley stated he believed the homeowner was looking to re-do the downspouts as well as the gutter. Timothy Dowhan discussed the layout of the gutters. Timothy Dowhan asked if any of the gutters on the back barn would be done or only the main home and garage. Dan Riley responded that only the gutters on the main home and garage would be replaced. Dan Riley stated the homeowner would be replacing the gutters on the back of the home as well but would likely use a standard aluminum gutter, not copper. Timothy Dowhan stated the rear of the home was not  visible from the public right of way and the gutters would be replacing existing ones. Dan Riley reiterated that the copper gutters would be installed in all spots visible from the roadway. II. Regular Meeting The regular meeting was convened at 6:12 PM. A. Action on COA’s ● COA 559 - 20 Harland Road (Jason Largent) - Routine Maintenance, Roofing, Chimney Dayne Rugh made a motion to accept the application as written and presented. Gregory Johnson seconded. Gregory Johnson, Dayne Rugh, Nancy O’Neil, Gregory Farlow and Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. ● COA 560 - 71 East Town Street (Society of the Founders of Norwich) - Addition, History Museum, Masonry Dayne Rugh made a motion to accept the COA as written and presented. Nancy O’Neil seconded. Gregory Johnson, Dayne Rugh, Nancy O’Neil and Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. Gregory Farlow abstained. The motion passed. ● COA 561 - 5 Town Street (Carrie Arleaga) - Alteration/Replacement, Residential Building, Windows Gregory Johnson noted he referred to the district map and it did not appear the property was located in the historic district. Timothy Dowhan stated he did have a list of historic properties in the district and 5 Town Street was listed. Discussion ensued. Dayne Rugh shared the Norwich MapGeo GIS Map on screen for all to view showing where the historic district line cut through the property so that the lawn is located within the district but the home itself is not. Gregory Johnson suggested tabling the application so a definitive answer could be received if the home was within the jurisdiction of the HDC. Dayne Rugh made a motion to table the COA until the next regular meeting so that jurisdiction could be determined. Gregory Farlow seconded. Gregory Johnson, Dayne Rugh, Nancy O’Neil, Gregory Farlow and Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. ● COA 562 - 21 West Town Street (Karen Moore) - Alteration/Replacement, Residential Building, Windows Gregory Johnson made a motion to accept the COA as written and presented. Dayne Rugh seconded. Gregory Johnson, Dayne Rugh, Nancy O’Neil, Gregory Farlow and Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. ● COA 563 - 16 Huntington Lane (Donald Michels) - Alteration/Replacement, Residential Building, Gutters  Gregory Farlow made a motion to accept the COA as written and presented. Nancy O’Neil seconded. Gregory Johnson, Dayne Rugh, Nancy O’Neil, Gregory Farlow and Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. B. Minutes of the Wednesday September 18, 2024 Regular Meeting ● Nancy O’Neil made a motion to approve the August 21, 2024 regular meeting minutes. Gregory Farlow seconded. Nancy O’Neil, Gregory Farlow and Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. Gregory Johnson and Dayne Rugh abstained. The motion passed. C. Chairman Report ● Timothy Dowhan stated he did not hear back from the city or Meghan Campbell regarding her HDC application to become a commission member. Gregory Johnson stated he received a letter the day prior letting him know he was approved to remain on the HDC. Dayne Rugh stated he received a similar letter notifying him that he is now a regular member of the commission. Dayne Rugh stated he believed there was a pending commission application from Tyler Booth as well. Timothy Dowhan he reiterated would not be extending his role as chairman past the end of the year and checked again if any members would be interested in taking on the role. Timothy Dowhan discussed communications he received regarding potential COA’s. Timothy Dowhan stated he would reach out to the city to see what needed to be submitted for the 2025 budget. D. Old Business ● None. E. New Business ● None. F. Next Meeting Date ● Scheduled for Wednesday November 20, 2024 G. Adjournment ● Nancy O’Neil made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting at 6:47 PM. Dayne Rugh seconded. Gregory Johnson, Dayne Rugh, Nancy O’Neil, Gregory Farlow and Timothy Dowhan voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Katherine Rose Recording Secretary