WHC Minutes, August 4, 2008
Present
Member: Arlene Cloutier, Jim Collins (first part of meeting), Sharon Connors, Norma
Judson, Jane Loos, Geraldine Millham, Dora Millikin
Alternate: Bette DeVeuve
Absent
Member:
Alternate: Anne (Pete) Baker, Tim Bryant
1. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Chair Sharon Connors (SC)). SC noted that there are two items on the agenda that will require that she and Jim Collins (JC) to recuse themselves as abutters; SC named Bette DeVeuve (BDV) to act as a voting member during those parts of the agenda. Others present included:
David Cole & Betty Slade 2037 Main Road, WPT
Janet Jones 38 Lawrence Avenue, WPT
James F. Kelly for 2028 Main Road, WPT
Martin Kelly 2023 Main Road, WPT
Robert Kugler 2029 Main Road, WPT
Lisa Mead for 2028 Main Road, WPT
Victoria Reppert & Chris Vezetinski 1990 Main Road, WPT
Tim Sawyer for 2028 Main Road, WPT
Barbara Slaight 2026 Main Road, WPT
Rick Smith 1962 Main Road, WPT
Ralph Souza Westport Building Inspector
A. General Business.
1. Minutes. June 2, 2008. Geraldine Millham (GM) moved and Dora Millikin (DM) seconded a motion to approve the draft minutes as circulated. The vote in favor was unanimous. July 7, 2008. GM moved and Norma Judson (NJK) seconded a motion to approve the revised draft minutes as circulated, with one correction of a typo in para 16. The vote in favor was unanimous.
2. Treasurer’s Report. DM presented the August Treasurer’s report (Attachment 1). The balance in the FY09 General Fund is $940, representing an increase over FY08 as requested to cover administrative costs previously borne by volunteers. There is no hearing income to date. The FY09 Town Farm expense budget is the same as FY08 -- $2,816. Trust Account balances were given as of end May 2008, because the Town has not yet closed the books as of June 30, 2008:
Historical Commission Trust Account $ 6,805
Town Farm Trust $12,456
Wolf Pit School Trust $ 6,201
3. In response to a query, DM confirmed that the Cemetery Identification Group has fully utilized the $1,000 gift from Mrs. Malatesta. Jane Loos (JL) moved and Arlene Cloutier seconded a motion to approve the Treasurer’s report. The vote in favor was unanimous.
4. Conservation Commission. SC reported that she had met with ConCom, and agreed with them that they would share their agendas with WHC.
5. Mail. SC read to the meeting the following correspondence :
(a) Invitation from Council on Aging for August 19-20 events
(b) June 6, 2008 letter from Mass Historical Commission regarding environmental notification form for Sports Complex on Route 177 (Attachment 2)
(c) July 19, 2008 WHC letter to Giblin family congratulating on their restoration of 1500 Main Road (Attachment 3)
(d) July 18, 2008 WHC letter to Tim Palmer thanking for his offer to undertake yard maintenance at the Wolf Pit School (Attachment 4)
(e) letters and court filings concerning 1813/1815 Main Road—July from WHC, June 24 court summons, and August 1 from Town Counsel (Attachment 5)
6. Status Reports.
(a) 1953 Main Road – SC and AC monitors confirmed that the west façade does now contain the third window, as shown in the approved drawings.
(b) 2044-46 Main Road - SC noted that the work had not yet started on the replacement boat house
(c) 1878 Drift Road - SC noted that this project has been finished
(d) 1950 Drift Road - SC noted that this project has been finished
(e) 7-Up Machine at the Point Docks - SC informed that she has not received any response to WHC letters, but noted that the 7-Up machine is now plugged in and functioning; it has been decorated with a lattice arbor.
(f) Microphone – SC explained that she is still working on finding ways to improve the audio quality of WHC meetings (and videos shown on local Cable) and would report on her efforts at a later meeting.
(g) 2032 Main Road - SC informed that she is considering adding a privacy/sun screen on the south side of her deck and may be approaching WHC for a review, depending on the proposed solution and whether it falls under WHC remit. She requested that WHC members pass on any thoughts they may have about awnings or temporary types of screening.
7. Request for Certificate of Non-applicability, 2037 Main Road. Betty Slade presented a request for permission to proceed with reshingling of the north side of the main house with the same materials and design as now in place. She confirmed that the contractor for the work is David Hobart. JL moved and AC seconded a motion to grant a Certificate of Non-Applicability for this work, as it is replacing like with like. The vote in favor was unanimous, with SC and Jim Collins (JC) recusing themselves as abutters.
8. 2028 Main Road. SC and JC recused themselves as abutters and joined the audience. GM assumed the chair of the meeting, and explained that this meeting is not a public hearing, and no approvals can be given. The purpose is to: (i) learn from the owner his views about the changes made to the house and boat house that are not in compliance with the approved plans and (ii) provide WHC feedback along the lines of a preliminary review. Lisa Mead, attorney, Tim Sawyer, the designer of the projects, and Jim Kelly, brother of the owner and contractor for parts of the work, represented the owner, David Kelly.
9. GM noted that there are two sets of issues:
(a) Main House – changes from approved plans, which are already constructed without WHC review/approval – dormer placement and associated window alignment, missing first floor window and sky light replacement.
(b) Boat House -- failure to restore “people” door to original location after the owner agreed more than one year ago to do it under the terms of the ex-post Certificate of Appropriateness and ex-post Building Permit.
10. WHC monitors (AC and DM) summarized the key points in the chronology of events on these projects, noting the lack of responsiveness by the owner to the numerous WHC communications over the past year requesting consultations on matters that appear to be out of compliance. Ralph Souza, Building Inspector, summarized his communications with the owner and his representatives over the past two years, noting that he had advised them of the need to communicate with WHC as a first step to resolve the outstanding issues.
11. In addition to the items listed by the monitors as being not in compliance with the approved Certificates of Appropriateness , Tim Sawyer noted that they had added corner boards to the boat house to facilitate shingling and had changed the two approved newel posts on the main house porch to floor-to-ceiling porch posts. He explained that he considered all the changes to be insignificant. He noted that the omission of the new window on the north side and the shifting of the dormer (and windows in the dormer) were due to structural requirements that had not been taken into account properly in the originally approved plans. He explained that there was an existing sky light, and the owner undertook a restoration of the light rather than popping in a new style light. He acknowledged that the drawings presented for WHC approval did not contain a skylight.
12. Several members of the audience supported the need for everyone to play by the known rules. Some pressed WHC to pursue sanctions. One abutter, while not addressing the issue of process, stated that she found the resulting arrangement of windows/dormers on the north side in keeping with typical Westport practice.
12. Lisa Mead, owner’s lawyer, offered no explanation for why and how this situation had developed, stating that “it is what it is.” She confirmed that the owner would file an application for changes in the already approved Certificates of Appropriateness. AC informed that the filing date for inclusion on the September 2008 agenda is August 18.
13. Wolf Pit School. In light of the difficulties encountered when WHC attempted to arrange for routine yard maintenance around the school under the terms of the agreement between the Town and the owners, as well as other issues concerning access, the meeting agreed to refer the matter to CPC .
Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 9:35 pm. The next regular meeting is September 10, 2008 at Town Hall.
prepared by JL, revised September 8, 2008, approved September 8, 2008
Attachments:
1. August Treasurer’s Report
2. June 6, 2008 MHC letter re Sports Field
3. July 18, 2008 WHC letter re Giblin Property
4. July 18, 2008 WHC letter re Tim Palmer
5. Letters/filings concerning 1813-15 Main Road
Member: Arlene Cloutier, Jim Collins (first part of meeting), Sharon Connors, Norma
Judson, Jane Loos, Geraldine Millham, Dora Millikin
Alternate: Bette DeVeuve
Absent
Member:
Alternate: Anne (Pete) Baker, Tim Bryant
1. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Chair Sharon Connors (SC)). SC noted that there are two items on the agenda that will require that she and Jim Collins (JC) to recuse themselves as abutters; SC named Bette DeVeuve (BDV) to act as a voting member during those parts of the agenda. Others present included:
David Cole & Betty Slade 2037 Main Road, WPT
Janet Jones 38 Lawrence Avenue, WPT
James F. Kelly for 2028 Main Road, WPT
Martin Kelly 2023 Main Road, WPT
Robert Kugler 2029 Main Road, WPT
Lisa Mead for 2028 Main Road, WPT
Victoria Reppert & Chris Vezetinski 1990 Main Road, WPT
Tim Sawyer for 2028 Main Road, WPT
Barbara Slaight 2026 Main Road, WPT
Rick Smith 1962 Main Road, WPT
Ralph Souza Westport Building Inspector
A. General Business.
1. Minutes. June 2, 2008. Geraldine Millham (GM) moved and Dora Millikin (DM) seconded a motion to approve the draft minutes as circulated. The vote in favor was unanimous. July 7, 2008. GM moved and Norma Judson (NJK) seconded a motion to approve the revised draft minutes as circulated, with one correction of a typo in para 16. The vote in favor was unanimous.
2. Treasurer’s Report. DM presented the August Treasurer’s report (Attachment 1). The balance in the FY09 General Fund is $940, representing an increase over FY08 as requested to cover administrative costs previously borne by volunteers. There is no hearing income to date. The FY09 Town Farm expense budget is the same as FY08 -- $2,816. Trust Account balances were given as of end May 2008, because the Town has not yet closed the books as of June 30, 2008:
Historical Commission Trust Account $ 6,805
Town Farm Trust $12,456
Wolf Pit School Trust $ 6,201
3. In response to a query, DM confirmed that the Cemetery Identification Group has fully utilized the $1,000 gift from Mrs. Malatesta. Jane Loos (JL) moved and Arlene Cloutier seconded a motion to approve the Treasurer’s report. The vote in favor was unanimous.
4. Conservation Commission. SC reported that she had met with ConCom, and agreed with them that they would share their agendas with WHC.
5. Mail. SC read to the meeting the following correspondence :
(a) Invitation from Council on Aging for August 19-20 events
(b) June 6, 2008 letter from Mass Historical Commission regarding environmental notification form for Sports Complex on Route 177 (Attachment 2)
(c) July 19, 2008 WHC letter to Giblin family congratulating on their restoration of 1500 Main Road (Attachment 3)
(d) July 18, 2008 WHC letter to Tim Palmer thanking for his offer to undertake yard maintenance at the Wolf Pit School (Attachment 4)
(e) letters and court filings concerning 1813/1815 Main Road—July from WHC, June 24 court summons, and August 1 from Town Counsel (Attachment 5)
6. Status Reports.
(a) 1953 Main Road – SC and AC monitors confirmed that the west façade does now contain the third window, as shown in the approved drawings.
(b) 2044-46 Main Road - SC noted that the work had not yet started on the replacement boat house
(c) 1878 Drift Road - SC noted that this project has been finished
(d) 1950 Drift Road - SC noted that this project has been finished
(e) 7-Up Machine at the Point Docks - SC informed that she has not received any response to WHC letters, but noted that the 7-Up machine is now plugged in and functioning; it has been decorated with a lattice arbor.
(f) Microphone – SC explained that she is still working on finding ways to improve the audio quality of WHC meetings (and videos shown on local Cable) and would report on her efforts at a later meeting.
(g) 2032 Main Road - SC informed that she is considering adding a privacy/sun screen on the south side of her deck and may be approaching WHC for a review, depending on the proposed solution and whether it falls under WHC remit. She requested that WHC members pass on any thoughts they may have about awnings or temporary types of screening.
7. Request for Certificate of Non-applicability, 2037 Main Road. Betty Slade presented a request for permission to proceed with reshingling of the north side of the main house with the same materials and design as now in place. She confirmed that the contractor for the work is David Hobart. JL moved and AC seconded a motion to grant a Certificate of Non-Applicability for this work, as it is replacing like with like. The vote in favor was unanimous, with SC and Jim Collins (JC) recusing themselves as abutters.
8. 2028 Main Road. SC and JC recused themselves as abutters and joined the audience. GM assumed the chair of the meeting, and explained that this meeting is not a public hearing, and no approvals can be given. The purpose is to: (i) learn from the owner his views about the changes made to the house and boat house that are not in compliance with the approved plans and (ii) provide WHC feedback along the lines of a preliminary review. Lisa Mead, attorney, Tim Sawyer, the designer of the projects, and Jim Kelly, brother of the owner and contractor for parts of the work, represented the owner, David Kelly.
9. GM noted that there are two sets of issues:
(a) Main House – changes from approved plans, which are already constructed without WHC review/approval – dormer placement and associated window alignment, missing first floor window and sky light replacement.
(b) Boat House -- failure to restore “people” door to original location after the owner agreed more than one year ago to do it under the terms of the ex-post Certificate of Appropriateness and ex-post Building Permit.
10. WHC monitors (AC and DM) summarized the key points in the chronology of events on these projects, noting the lack of responsiveness by the owner to the numerous WHC communications over the past year requesting consultations on matters that appear to be out of compliance. Ralph Souza, Building Inspector, summarized his communications with the owner and his representatives over the past two years, noting that he had advised them of the need to communicate with WHC as a first step to resolve the outstanding issues.
11. In addition to the items listed by the monitors as being not in compliance with the approved Certificates of Appropriateness , Tim Sawyer noted that they had added corner boards to the boat house to facilitate shingling and had changed the two approved newel posts on the main house porch to floor-to-ceiling porch posts. He explained that he considered all the changes to be insignificant. He noted that the omission of the new window on the north side and the shifting of the dormer (and windows in the dormer) were due to structural requirements that had not been taken into account properly in the originally approved plans. He explained that there was an existing sky light, and the owner undertook a restoration of the light rather than popping in a new style light. He acknowledged that the drawings presented for WHC approval did not contain a skylight.
12. Several members of the audience supported the need for everyone to play by the known rules. Some pressed WHC to pursue sanctions. One abutter, while not addressing the issue of process, stated that she found the resulting arrangement of windows/dormers on the north side in keeping with typical Westport practice.
12. Lisa Mead, owner’s lawyer, offered no explanation for why and how this situation had developed, stating that “it is what it is.” She confirmed that the owner would file an application for changes in the already approved Certificates of Appropriateness. AC informed that the filing date for inclusion on the September 2008 agenda is August 18.
13. Wolf Pit School. In light of the difficulties encountered when WHC attempted to arrange for routine yard maintenance around the school under the terms of the agreement between the Town and the owners, as well as other issues concerning access, the meeting agreed to refer the matter to CPC .
Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 9:35 pm. The next regular meeting is September 10, 2008 at Town Hall.
prepared by JL, revised September 8, 2008, approved September 8, 2008
Attachments:
1. August Treasurer’s Report
2. June 6, 2008 MHC letter re Sports Field
3. July 18, 2008 WHC letter re Giblin Property
4. July 18, 2008 WHC letter re Tim Palmer
5. Letters/filings concerning 1813-15 Main Road
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