WHC Minutes July 6, 2009
Present
Member: Jim Collins, Sharon Connors, Jane Loos, Geraldine Millham, Janet Jones
Alternate: Bette DeVeuve, Chris Vezetinski
Absent
Member: Norma Judson
Alternate: Anne (Pete) Baker
The meeting was called to order at 7:04 pm by Chair Sharon Connors (SC) in the Town Hall basement meeting area. SC named Alternates Bette DeVeuve (BDV) and Chris Vezetinski (CV) as voting members, for a total of seven votes. Others in attendance included:
Lynn and Suzanne Carter 2043 Main Road, WPT
Whitney Chadwick 1934 Main Road, WPT
Pamela Coravos & Garrett Stuck 1998 Main Road, WPT
Tony Connors 2032 Main Road, WPT
Peter, Kristina & Allison Fenn 21 Cape Bial Lane
Richard T. Loring 2004 Main Road, WPT
Susanne & Richard Peck 2048 Main Road, WPT
Lennard Roberts Architect for 1998 Main Road, WPT
Betty Slade 2037 Main Road, WPT
Rick Smith 1962 Main Road, WPT
Peter Streng 1818 Main Road, WPT
Dorothy and Richard Tongue 2048 Main Road, WPT
A. General Business.
1. WHC Membership.
(a) SC welcomed Janet Jones (JJ) as a Full Member.
(b) For the record:
(i) SC Email requesting re-appointment of James Collins, Norma Judson, Jane Loos as
Full Members and BDV and Anne (Pete) Baker as Alternate Members.
(Attachement 1)
(ii) SC Email naming Norma Judson as WHC representative to the Community
Preservation Committee (Attachment 2).
(iii) SC Email to Tim Bryant, thanking him for his contributions (Attachment 3).
(iv) SC letter to Arlene Cloutier, thanking her for her valuable contributions to WHC
(Attachment 4).
3. Treasurer’s Report from Geraldine Millham (GM):
(a) June 30, 2009 report will be prepared after the Town’s FY20009 books are closed.
(b) $14 over-run from the end of year purchase of stamps was covered by a gift from Betty
Slade (BS)
(c) $110 printing costs for the Head of Westport Book will be paid from the WHC Trust.
4. Demolition Request for 1380 Drift Road. See Attachment 5 and 6, conveying WHC decision reached at June 12, 2009 special meeting to allow Building Inspector to proceed with consideration of this demolition request.
5. Demolition Request for 111 Blossom Road. See Attachment 7 , conveying WHC decision reached at June 1, 2009 regular meeting to allow Building Inspector to proceed with consideration of this demolition request.
6. Open Meeting and Public Records Laws. Jane Loos (JL) attended a briefing by Town Counsel on these laws, and advised that WHC’s Rules and Regulations and practices appear to be fully in compliance, with one exception—amendment of draft minutes. It is considered a breach of public meeting law to incorporate comments/revisions into draft minutes outside of a public meeting.
7. JL also noted that WHC minutes contain much more information that legally required. It was agreed that, in future, minutes will be more streamlined, and focus mainly on decisions reached, rather than laying out history, context and lessons. Any revisions to draft minutes after they are circulated will be done when they are considered for approval at the subsequent public meeting.
8. JL noted reminded that WHC can charge a fee to cover the costs of supplying copies of documents, minutes, etc., to members of the public.
9. June 1, 2009 Minutes. SC offered one addition to the draft minutes, which had been circulated electronically. GM moved and BDV seconded a motion to approve the draft minutes as revised. The vote in favor was unanimous, with CV abstaining, as she had not attended that meeting.
10. Revisions to Ch. 40B. See Attachment 8 for SC letter conveying WHC support for proposed changes.
11. Proposed Revisions to WHC Application Forms. SC asked all WHC members to review the proposed revisions, prepared by BS (hard copy handout at the meeting and electronic file on email). WHC will discuss them at the next meeting.
12. Application for Certificate of Non-Applicability for 1962 Main Road. Rick Smith, owner, informed that they wished to replace the shingles on the roof of this house. JL moved and CV seconded a motion to grant a Certificate of Non-Applicability for this work, as roof material is not under WHC purview. The vote in favor was unanimous.
B. Public Hearing for 10 Cunningham Lane, 7:30 PM
SC informed that Mr. Pires, contractor for the owner, had requested a second continuance of the public hearing until the August 3, 2009 WHC meeting, at 7:30pm. GM moved and BDV seconded a motion to grant this continuation. The vote was six in favor, and one (JL) against the motion. The motion carried.
C. Public Hearing for 21 Cape Bial Lane, 7:35 PM
1. Peter Fenn, owner, and Chip Gillespie, architect, presented revised plans (dated June 2 and June 4, 2009) for the demolition of the existing garage and its replacement with a new one-story guest cottage. The proposed project had already been considered at preliminary reviews on April 6 and May 11, 2009.
2. JL moved and GM seconded a motion to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness for the proposed work, as shown in drawings dated June 2 and June 4, 2009, and the Project Check list dated July 6, 2009. The vote in favor was unanimous. The motion was approved, and WHC members signed the approved plans.
D. Public Hearing for 1998 Main Road, 7:45 PM
1. CV recused herself as an abutter.
2. Lennard Roberts, architect, presented the proposals which involve some changes to the previously approved plans signed off by WHC on January 5, 2009, as well as a first proposal for the color scheme of exterior painting. The following votes were taken:
MAIN HOUSE:
(a) Kitchen Ell -- Remove deteriorated roof and wall framing and reconstruct as shown in January 5, 2009 plans. JL moved and JC seconded a motion to approve (a). The vote in favor was unanimous, with CV recused. The motion carried.
(b) Kitchen Ell -- Relocate windows on north wall as per plans dated June 15, 2009. GM moved and JC seconded a motion to approve (b). The vote in favor was unanimous, with CV recused. The motion carried.
(c) Downspout Material -- substitute galvanized painted steel downspouts instead of previously approved red copper pipe. JJ moved and GM seconded a motion to approve (c). The vote in favor was unanimous, with CV recused. The motion carried.
(d) Downspout Design -- attach downspout to gutter with gooseneck instead of through soffitt. GM moved and JC seconded a motion to approve (d). The motion was not approved.
Votes in Favor: 3 JC, BDV, GM
Votes Against: 3 SC, JJ, JL
Abstain: 1 CV recused
After some further discussion of the color scheme as it applied to the gooseneck and downspout, GM moved to approve (d). There was no second, and the motion was note considered.
(e) Chimney – Add brick and bluestone chimney caps and install lightning rods. GM moved and JL seconded a motion to approve (e). The vote in favor was unanimous, with CV recused The motion was approved.
(f) Kitchen Door – increase door width from 30 inches to 36 inches. GM moved and JJ seconded a motion to approve (f). The vote in favor was unanimous. The motion passed.
COTTAGE:
(a) Relocate Chimney and Living Room Western façade Windows from that approved January 5, 2009 – move chimney 2 inches south, move northern window 3 inches south and southern window 8 inches north. JL moved and JC seconded a motion to approve (a). The vote in favor was unanimous, with CV recused. The motion carried.
(b) Living Room East windows—change to double hung, as opposed to casements approved on January 5, 2009. JC moved and JL seconded a motion to approve (b). The vote in favor was unanimous, with CV recused. The motion carried.
(c) Screened Porch East Elevation – add horizontal mullion at 26 inches height. JJ moved and GM seconded a motion to approve (c). The vote in favor was unanimous, with CV recused. The motion passed.
(d) Kitchen and Bath Windows – correct drawings to reduce height and show 5 inches (as per specs) compared to 8 inches as drawn in error. JL moved and GM seconded a motion to approve (d). The vote in favor was unanimous, with CV recused. The motion carried.
(e) Chimney -- Add brick and bluestone chimney caps and install lightning rods. JL moved and JJ seconded a motion to approve (e). The vote in favor was unanimous, with CV recused. The motion was approved.
GARDEN SHED
(a) Window – change spec to show manufacturer is Brosco instead of Marvin. JL moved and GM seconded a motion to approve (a). The vote in favor was unanimous with CV recused. The motion passed.
(b) Door – Revised spec. JL moved and JC seconded a motion to approve (b). The vote in favor was unanimous, with CV recused. The motion carried.
COLOR SCHEME – dated June 15, 2009.
GM moved and JL seconded a motion to approve the proposed color scheme, with two clarifications – (i) the echinus color to be determined in the field based on what is found under the coats of paint as the original color; and (ii) shutters to be restored and re-used if possible, with installation at the discretion of the owner. The vote was as follows:
Votes in Favor 5 JC, SC, JJ, JL, GM
Votes Against 1 BDV
Abstain 1 CV recused as abutter
3. WHC members signed the approved plans.
E. Public Hearing for 2048 Main Road, 9 PM
1. Dorothy and Richard Tongue presented a proposal to (a) raise the boat shed by 2.5 feet, (b) add a walkway across the south side starting a bit below the height of the septic mound across to meet the deck/landing on the east side, and (c) to add 2-3 steps at the bottom of the east side deck/landing to accommodate raising the shed by 2.5 feet.
2. JL moved and GM seconded a motion to approve (a) and (c). The vote was as follows:
Votes in Favor: 6 JC, SC, BDV, JJ, JL, GM
Votes Against: 1 CV
Abstain: 0
The motion passed.
3. GM moved and JC seconded a motion to approved (b). The vote was as follows:
Votes in Favor: 0
Votes Against: 6 JC, SC, JJ, JL, GM, CV
Abstain: 1 BDV
The motion was not approved.
4. Instead of asking for revised drawings, it was agreed that WHC would send a letter to the Building Inspector informing of tonight’s decision. The only changes to the previously approved plans are raising the shed by 2.5 feet at its (now) existing location and to add steps at the bottom of the approved (but not yet built) small deck/landing on the east.
Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 10:40pm. The next meeting will be Monday, August 3, 2009 at the Town Hall.
Drafted by Jane Loos, approved August 3, 2009
Attachments:
1. SC June 25, 2009 Email to BOS re nominations
2. SC June 25, 2009 Email to BOS re CPC
3. SC June 25, 2009 Email to Tim Bryant
4. SC June 22, 2009 Letter to Arlene Cloutier
5. GM June 12, 2009 Letter to Schiffmans re 1380 Drift Road
6. GM June 12, 2009 Letter to Building Inspector re 1380 Drift Road Demolition
7. SC June 29, 2009 Letter to Building Inspector re 111 Blossom Road Demolition
8. SC July 6, 2009 Email to Rep. Mike Rodriques
Member: Jim Collins, Sharon Connors, Jane Loos, Geraldine Millham, Janet Jones
Alternate: Bette DeVeuve, Chris Vezetinski
Absent
Member: Norma Judson
Alternate: Anne (Pete) Baker
The meeting was called to order at 7:04 pm by Chair Sharon Connors (SC) in the Town Hall basement meeting area. SC named Alternates Bette DeVeuve (BDV) and Chris Vezetinski (CV) as voting members, for a total of seven votes. Others in attendance included:
Lynn and Suzanne Carter 2043 Main Road, WPT
Whitney Chadwick 1934 Main Road, WPT
Pamela Coravos & Garrett Stuck 1998 Main Road, WPT
Tony Connors 2032 Main Road, WPT
Peter, Kristina & Allison Fenn 21 Cape Bial Lane
Richard T. Loring 2004 Main Road, WPT
Susanne & Richard Peck 2048 Main Road, WPT
Lennard Roberts Architect for 1998 Main Road, WPT
Betty Slade 2037 Main Road, WPT
Rick Smith 1962 Main Road, WPT
Peter Streng 1818 Main Road, WPT
Dorothy and Richard Tongue 2048 Main Road, WPT
A. General Business.
1. WHC Membership.
(a) SC welcomed Janet Jones (JJ) as a Full Member.
(b) For the record:
(i) SC Email requesting re-appointment of James Collins, Norma Judson, Jane Loos as
Full Members and BDV and Anne (Pete) Baker as Alternate Members.
(Attachement 1)
(ii) SC Email naming Norma Judson as WHC representative to the Community
Preservation Committee (Attachment 2).
(iii) SC Email to Tim Bryant, thanking him for his contributions (Attachment 3).
(iv) SC letter to Arlene Cloutier, thanking her for her valuable contributions to WHC
(Attachment 4).
3. Treasurer’s Report from Geraldine Millham (GM):
(a) June 30, 2009 report will be prepared after the Town’s FY20009 books are closed.
(b) $14 over-run from the end of year purchase of stamps was covered by a gift from Betty
Slade (BS)
(c) $110 printing costs for the Head of Westport Book will be paid from the WHC Trust.
4. Demolition Request for 1380 Drift Road. See Attachment 5 and 6, conveying WHC decision reached at June 12, 2009 special meeting to allow Building Inspector to proceed with consideration of this demolition request.
5. Demolition Request for 111 Blossom Road. See Attachment 7 , conveying WHC decision reached at June 1, 2009 regular meeting to allow Building Inspector to proceed with consideration of this demolition request.
6. Open Meeting and Public Records Laws. Jane Loos (JL) attended a briefing by Town Counsel on these laws, and advised that WHC’s Rules and Regulations and practices appear to be fully in compliance, with one exception—amendment of draft minutes. It is considered a breach of public meeting law to incorporate comments/revisions into draft minutes outside of a public meeting.
7. JL also noted that WHC minutes contain much more information that legally required. It was agreed that, in future, minutes will be more streamlined, and focus mainly on decisions reached, rather than laying out history, context and lessons. Any revisions to draft minutes after they are circulated will be done when they are considered for approval at the subsequent public meeting.
8. JL noted reminded that WHC can charge a fee to cover the costs of supplying copies of documents, minutes, etc., to members of the public.
9. June 1, 2009 Minutes. SC offered one addition to the draft minutes, which had been circulated electronically. GM moved and BDV seconded a motion to approve the draft minutes as revised. The vote in favor was unanimous, with CV abstaining, as she had not attended that meeting.
10. Revisions to Ch. 40B. See Attachment 8 for SC letter conveying WHC support for proposed changes.
11. Proposed Revisions to WHC Application Forms. SC asked all WHC members to review the proposed revisions, prepared by BS (hard copy handout at the meeting and electronic file on email). WHC will discuss them at the next meeting.
12. Application for Certificate of Non-Applicability for 1962 Main Road. Rick Smith, owner, informed that they wished to replace the shingles on the roof of this house. JL moved and CV seconded a motion to grant a Certificate of Non-Applicability for this work, as roof material is not under WHC purview. The vote in favor was unanimous.
B. Public Hearing for 10 Cunningham Lane, 7:30 PM
SC informed that Mr. Pires, contractor for the owner, had requested a second continuance of the public hearing until the August 3, 2009 WHC meeting, at 7:30pm. GM moved and BDV seconded a motion to grant this continuation. The vote was six in favor, and one (JL) against the motion. The motion carried.
C. Public Hearing for 21 Cape Bial Lane, 7:35 PM
1. Peter Fenn, owner, and Chip Gillespie, architect, presented revised plans (dated June 2 and June 4, 2009) for the demolition of the existing garage and its replacement with a new one-story guest cottage. The proposed project had already been considered at preliminary reviews on April 6 and May 11, 2009.
2. JL moved and GM seconded a motion to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness for the proposed work, as shown in drawings dated June 2 and June 4, 2009, and the Project Check list dated July 6, 2009. The vote in favor was unanimous. The motion was approved, and WHC members signed the approved plans.
D. Public Hearing for 1998 Main Road, 7:45 PM
1. CV recused herself as an abutter.
2. Lennard Roberts, architect, presented the proposals which involve some changes to the previously approved plans signed off by WHC on January 5, 2009, as well as a first proposal for the color scheme of exterior painting. The following votes were taken:
MAIN HOUSE:
(a) Kitchen Ell -- Remove deteriorated roof and wall framing and reconstruct as shown in January 5, 2009 plans. JL moved and JC seconded a motion to approve (a). The vote in favor was unanimous, with CV recused. The motion carried.
(b) Kitchen Ell -- Relocate windows on north wall as per plans dated June 15, 2009. GM moved and JC seconded a motion to approve (b). The vote in favor was unanimous, with CV recused. The motion carried.
(c) Downspout Material -- substitute galvanized painted steel downspouts instead of previously approved red copper pipe. JJ moved and GM seconded a motion to approve (c). The vote in favor was unanimous, with CV recused. The motion carried.
(d) Downspout Design -- attach downspout to gutter with gooseneck instead of through soffitt. GM moved and JC seconded a motion to approve (d). The motion was not approved.
Votes in Favor: 3 JC, BDV, GM
Votes Against: 3 SC, JJ, JL
Abstain: 1 CV recused
After some further discussion of the color scheme as it applied to the gooseneck and downspout, GM moved to approve (d). There was no second, and the motion was note considered.
(e) Chimney – Add brick and bluestone chimney caps and install lightning rods. GM moved and JL seconded a motion to approve (e). The vote in favor was unanimous, with CV recused The motion was approved.
(f) Kitchen Door – increase door width from 30 inches to 36 inches. GM moved and JJ seconded a motion to approve (f). The vote in favor was unanimous. The motion passed.
COTTAGE:
(a) Relocate Chimney and Living Room Western façade Windows from that approved January 5, 2009 – move chimney 2 inches south, move northern window 3 inches south and southern window 8 inches north. JL moved and JC seconded a motion to approve (a). The vote in favor was unanimous, with CV recused. The motion carried.
(b) Living Room East windows—change to double hung, as opposed to casements approved on January 5, 2009. JC moved and JL seconded a motion to approve (b). The vote in favor was unanimous, with CV recused. The motion carried.
(c) Screened Porch East Elevation – add horizontal mullion at 26 inches height. JJ moved and GM seconded a motion to approve (c). The vote in favor was unanimous, with CV recused. The motion passed.
(d) Kitchen and Bath Windows – correct drawings to reduce height and show 5 inches (as per specs) compared to 8 inches as drawn in error. JL moved and GM seconded a motion to approve (d). The vote in favor was unanimous, with CV recused. The motion carried.
(e) Chimney -- Add brick and bluestone chimney caps and install lightning rods. JL moved and JJ seconded a motion to approve (e). The vote in favor was unanimous, with CV recused. The motion was approved.
GARDEN SHED
(a) Window – change spec to show manufacturer is Brosco instead of Marvin. JL moved and GM seconded a motion to approve (a). The vote in favor was unanimous with CV recused. The motion passed.
(b) Door – Revised spec. JL moved and JC seconded a motion to approve (b). The vote in favor was unanimous, with CV recused. The motion carried.
COLOR SCHEME – dated June 15, 2009.
GM moved and JL seconded a motion to approve the proposed color scheme, with two clarifications – (i) the echinus color to be determined in the field based on what is found under the coats of paint as the original color; and (ii) shutters to be restored and re-used if possible, with installation at the discretion of the owner. The vote was as follows:
Votes in Favor 5 JC, SC, JJ, JL, GM
Votes Against 1 BDV
Abstain 1 CV recused as abutter
3. WHC members signed the approved plans.
E. Public Hearing for 2048 Main Road, 9 PM
1. Dorothy and Richard Tongue presented a proposal to (a) raise the boat shed by 2.5 feet, (b) add a walkway across the south side starting a bit below the height of the septic mound across to meet the deck/landing on the east side, and (c) to add 2-3 steps at the bottom of the east side deck/landing to accommodate raising the shed by 2.5 feet.
2. JL moved and GM seconded a motion to approve (a) and (c). The vote was as follows:
Votes in Favor: 6 JC, SC, BDV, JJ, JL, GM
Votes Against: 1 CV
Abstain: 0
The motion passed.
3. GM moved and JC seconded a motion to approved (b). The vote was as follows:
Votes in Favor: 0
Votes Against: 6 JC, SC, JJ, JL, GM, CV
Abstain: 1 BDV
The motion was not approved.
4. Instead of asking for revised drawings, it was agreed that WHC would send a letter to the Building Inspector informing of tonight’s decision. The only changes to the previously approved plans are raising the shed by 2.5 feet at its (now) existing location and to add steps at the bottom of the approved (but not yet built) small deck/landing on the east.
Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 10:40pm. The next meeting will be Monday, August 3, 2009 at the Town Hall.
Drafted by Jane Loos, approved August 3, 2009
Attachments:
1. SC June 25, 2009 Email to BOS re nominations
2. SC June 25, 2009 Email to BOS re CPC
3. SC June 25, 2009 Email to Tim Bryant
4. SC June 22, 2009 Letter to Arlene Cloutier
5. GM June 12, 2009 Letter to Schiffmans re 1380 Drift Road
6. GM June 12, 2009 Letter to Building Inspector re 1380 Drift Road Demolition
7. SC June 29, 2009 Letter to Building Inspector re 111 Blossom Road Demolition
8. SC July 6, 2009 Email to Rep. Mike Rodriques
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