Historic District Commission Minutes 12/03/2015

HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION

DECEMBER 3, 2015

MINUTES FROM REGULAR MEETING

ROLL CALL

Diane Mead, Chairperson, opened the Regular Meeting of the Historic District Commission at 7:30 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room at the Town Offices.  Other members and alternates in attendance were Jonathan Laschever, Patricia Hyyppa, and Mark Nyquist.  Also present were Michael Glidden, Assistant Town Planner; Janis Prifti, Commission Clerk; and other interested parties.

APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES

Chairperson Mead appointed Commissioner Nyquist to serve for the vacancy.

PUBLIC HEARING(s)

Application #15-05 of Josh Bruhn, Rhino-Back Roofing, LLC, Applicant; MaryBeth Selby, Owner; for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the replacement of the roof shingles on the property located at 93 East Weatogue Street (Assessor’s Map H12, Block 107, Lot 019R). Zone R-15. (received 10/21/2015; decision must be rendered y 12/25/2015)

Chairperson Mead reviewed Commission understanding that Application #15-05 is for emergency replacement of roofing replicating the original material.  Josh Bruhn of Rhino-Back Roofing represented the Applicant indicating the material for the first 6 feet on the roof and all valleys and/or where a wall meets a roof received underlayment and then Owens Corning asphalt shingles with modern coatings duplicating previous roof shingles with a nail strip through the shingles to extend their life.  Town Staff confirmed the material would look the same as the previous roof shingles.  However, the Commissioners noted a change in that architectural shingles were used as opposed to the previous 3-tab shingles.

Commissioner Hyyppa made a motion to approve Application #15-05.

Commissioner Laschever seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.

Town Staff noted the building permit would be released tomorrow.  The Applicant confirmed they had actual roof leakage prompting the emergency repair and did not realize they needed to come before the Commission.  The Commissioners noted the presence of the insurance claim attached to the Application per Town Staff’s request.

IV.       DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION

The Commissioners discussed the need to educate residents of the Historic District and revise the Handbook.  Town Staff will revise the grant application and forward it to the Commissioners for review in the next 2-3 weeks.  The Commissioners discussed whether it would be best to use grant money to redo the handbook and mail it or to have a consultant work on it to make it more consistent.  Town Staff noted the grant would be a monthly rolling $10K grant and a proposal for how to budget it could be developed.  The Commissioners agreed that Staff should look into a consultant with a new format, printing, and distribution which would also be available on the Town website, rather than funding for public meetings.  Town Staff reviewed the procedure would be to apply for the grant, review of about a dozen State-approved consultants to select appropriate candidates, with a goal of completion mid-year.  Town Staff will prepare the application for review by the Commission at the January meeting with filing the following day.

Vote on the 2016 Meeting Calendar

Commissioner Laschever made a motion to approve the proposed Regular Meeting dates for Year 2016.

Commissioner Hyyppa seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.

V.        APPROVAL OF MINUTES from August 6, 2015

Commissioner Laschever made a motion to approve the August 6, 2015 minutes, as written.

Commissioner Nyquist seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.

The Commissioners discussed Vincent’s Sports Shop and their presentation to the Design Review Board of an interim proposal which was accepted but had no certain timeframe, and no enforcement action available.  The reviewed design involved work across the shop’s top, gable overhangs, sturdy columns, removal of vinyl siding with replacement to match the clapboard shingles on the 2nd story, and painted the same color.  Town Staff indicated only a building permit was required as there is no substantial change to the building footprint; and while DRB is advisory, the Town building official will not perform final inspection until interim standards for the work are satisfied, which could be a potential negative for future owner financing for this location if the building permit remains open. 

VI.       ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Laschever made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m.

Commissioner Hyyppa seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.