WHC Final Minutes September 8, 2009
Present
Member: Jim Collins (10 minutes late), Sharon Connors, Norma Judson, Jane Loos,
Geraldine Millham, Janet Jones
Alternate: Anne (Pete) Baker, Bette DeVeuve, Chris Vezetinski
Absent
Member: none, one vacancy
Alternate: none
Chair Sharon Connors called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall basement meeting area. SC named Alternate Betty DeVeuve (BDV) as a voting member, and Alternate Anne (Pete) Baker (APB) to act for Jim Collins (JC) until his arrival, for a total of seven votes. Others in attendance included:
Charlene Brock 1878D Drift Road, WPT
John Conway Condo Association at 1878 Drift Road, WPT
Sandra Coravos 1998 Main Road, WPT
Sandra and Jim Feeney 1878 Drift Road, WPT
M.E. Kennedy 1831 Main Road, WPT
Welles LaMonte 1991 Main Road, WPT
Lynda Mackenzie 10 Cunningham Lane, WPT
Julie Norman 127 Faunce Corner Road, Dartmouth
Robert Pires Builder for 10 Cunningham Lane, WPT
Lennard Roberts Architect for 1998 Main Road, WPT
Betty Slade 2037 Main Road, WPT
Barbara Slaight 2026 Main Road, WPT
Peter Streng 1818 Main Road, WPT
A. General Business.
1. Notice of Recess. SC stated that WHC members intended to attend the Board of Selectmen (BOS) session to support the Trustees of Reservations when the BOS takes up consideration of the proposed lease for the Town Farm, which is taking place at that same time as WHC’s meeting. Norma Judson (NJKJ) moved and Bette DeVeuve (BDV) seconded a motion for WHC to recess temporarily to attend the BOS meeting, and return to and resume its own meeting thereafter. The motion was approved, unanimously.
2. Minutes of August 2, 2009 Meeting. Jane Loos (JL) explained that a draft was circulated by email. The meeting proposed several corrections. Janet Jones (JJ) moved and Geraldine Millham (GM) seconded a motion to approve the draft minutes as revised. The motion was approved, unanimously.
3. Treasurer’s Report for end July, 2009 from GM (Attachment 1):
(a) WHC General Expense Budget for FY2010 is $940, and $150 revenue has been booked yet. WHC Trust account balance is $7,580.69.
(b) Town Farm Expense Budget for FY2010 is $2,816.00, and the Town Farm Trust balance is $11,040.36.
(c) Wolf Pit School Trust account balance is $6,313.25.
JL moved and JJ seconded a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report. The motion was approved, unanimously.
4. Report on Handy House. As required by the terms of the Preservation Restrictions on the Handy House, WHC inspects the property at least very two years to ascertain the status. GM and APB visited the site on June 3, 2009, and found all in compliance. A copy of their report is shown in Attachment 2.
Betty Slade inquired about WHC’s role and powers to enforce compliance should there be a failure to follow the legally established conditions. SC suggested that this topic be studied further and WHC should consult the Town Administrator to understand WHC’s role and powers.
5. Mail and Notices. SC presented the following:
(a) Notice of the October 3, 2009 Symposium on Paul Cuffee
(b) Planning Board Notice of Meeting on 133 Fisher Road
(c) Town Accountant Notice concerning execution of contracts over $2,000
(d) SC August 10, 2009 letter to CPC (Attachment 3)
(e) SC August 10, 2009 letter to Building Inspector (Attachment 4)
(f) SC August 10, 2009 letter to Colby Family re 162 Atlantic Avenue (Attachment 5)
(g) SC August 10, 2009 letter to Ted and Carol Spach re 1972 Main Road (Attachment 6)
(j) SC reminded JL that Mr. Randall’s request for copies of all documents related to his
property had not yet been filled, and asked that she copy the architectural drawings in
the file when she next goes to Office Max.
6. Application for Certificate of Non-Applicability for 1930 Main Road. SC read the application which proposed “like for like” replacement of a dormer window. Some members noted that the replacement of an “inappropriate” replacement with another window of the same kind was technically within the applicant’s rights. They suggested, however, that WHC should at least advise the applicant of other alternatives, which would be more appropriate. JL moved and JC seconded a motion to approve the Certificate of Non-Applicability. JC also undertook to discuss alternatives with the applicant.
7. Wolf Pit School. JL moved and JC seconded a motion to authorize funding of up to $300.00 to be spent for cleanup around the Wolf Pit School. NKJ agreed to discuss this job with Tim Palmer, who would contact the owners directly.
B. Public Hearing for 10 Cunningham Lane for Certificate of Appropriateness
1. Lynda Mackenzie, applicant, and Robert Pires, contractor for the owner, presented the current proposal. Julie Norman, representative of window supplier, demonstrated the type of window being proposed (insulated glass, true divided lites) with an actual model of the type of construction ,(but not the scale of lites being proposed). The mullions/muntins of the proposed window were wider than what SC had noted at the house currently. This led to a discussion of the trade-offs between replacement windows and preservation of existing windows and storm windows, noting that heat loss through leaks is often more significant than through the pane of glass. The meeting also advised the applicant that WHC had no authority over the choice of storm windows. If Ms. Mackenzie were to preserve her present windows, and add new storm windows, she would not have to return to WHC for authorization. Ms. Mackenzie withdrew her application for replacement windows.
2. Ms. Mackenzie requested a vote on the proposal to repair/replace the front deck – “nominal” 1 X 4 Tongue and Groove fir deck, with mahogany rails and balusters to match those on the existing back door deck. JL moved and JC seconded a motion to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness for that proposal. The motion was approved unanimously.
C. Public Hearing for 1878 H Drift Road for Certificate of Appropriateness for Demolition.
John Conway presented the proposal to demolish the garage and remove the concrete slab which was a common element owned by the condominium owners of the Westport Point Condo Association. SC noted that the proposal was discussed at the August preliminary review. JL moved and GM seconded a motion to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for this proposed work. The motion was approved, unanimously.
D. Public Hearing for 1991 Main Road for Certificate of Appropriateness
Welles Lamonte presented the proposal to replace wood gutters with aluminum gutters (K profile) and downspouts between decorative elements, following the model used on the related carriage house. SC noted that the proposal was discussed at the August preliminary review. JL moved and JJ seconded a motion to approve the proposal. The motion was approved, unanimously.
E. Public Hearing for 1998 Main Road for Amendment to Certificate of Appropriateness
1. Christine Vezetinski (CV) recused herself from the table, because she is an abutter. Pam Coravos, applicant, and Lennard Roberts (architect) presented a proposal to amend the approved Certificate of Appropriateness to remove the south chimneystack. They presented an historical photograph showing the house without the south chimneystack.
2. APB presented documentation establishing that the foundation, hearth and interior chimney were original to the house, and tracing the series of exterior chimneystack repairs over time (Attachment 7). She confirmed the applicants’ contention that the visible chimneystack was of very recent vintage. SC confirmed that WHC had no jurisdiction over what is not visible from a public way.
3. JL moved and GM seconded a motion to amend the approved Certificate of Appropriateness to allow for the removal of the exterior chimneystack on the south side of the house. The motion was not approved.
Votes in Favor: 2 JL, GM
Votes Against: 3 SC, BDV, JJ
Abstain: 2 JC, NKJ
4. SC reminded that when WHC does not approve an application, it also must consider whether the application merits approval under conditions of Hardship. JL moved and GM seconded a motion to determine that this application does not merit a Certificate of Hardship, because it does not constitute a condition not affecting other property in the Historic District, is not unique to this property and will not affect the property in a unique manner. The motion was approved unanimously, with one abstention (NKJ).
A. General Business, continued.
8. Temporary Recess at 9:35pm. SC informed that the BOS were now taking up the proposed lease on the Town Farm, and called for the agreed recess. The meeting resumed at 9:50pm.
9. Public Hearing for 1814 Main Road for Certificate of Appropriateness. Peter Streng presented the application on behalf of owner Barbara Bean. The proposed work involves changing the style and materials of windows on the south and east over the back deck. The Chair and Clerk had determined that these changes should have a public hearing and the owner was advised to apply for a Certificate of Appropriateness. Mr. Streng showed a site plan which WHC determined showed that these windows are not visible from a public way. GM moved and CV seconded a motion to grant a Certificate of Non-Applicability for this application on the grounds that the proposed changes would not be visible from a public way. The motion was approved.
Votes in Favor: 6 SC, JC, BDV, JJ, NKJ, GM
Votes Against: 1 JL
Abstain: 0
Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 10pm. The next meeting will be at 7pm, Monday, October 5, 2009 at the Town Hall.
Drafted by Jane Loos, revised and approved at October 5, 2009 WHC meeting
Attachments:
1. Treasurer’s Report for end July, 2009
2. Report on Handy House visit
3. SC August 10 letter to CPC
4. SC August 10 letter to Building Inspector
5. SC August 10 letter to Colby Family, 162 Atlantic Avenue
6. SC August 10 letter to Ted and Carol Spach re 1972 Main Road
7. Anne (Pete) Baker’s report on 1998 Main Road
Member: Jim Collins (10 minutes late), Sharon Connors, Norma Judson, Jane Loos,
Geraldine Millham, Janet Jones
Alternate: Anne (Pete) Baker, Bette DeVeuve, Chris Vezetinski
Absent
Member: none, one vacancy
Alternate: none
Chair Sharon Connors called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall basement meeting area. SC named Alternate Betty DeVeuve (BDV) as a voting member, and Alternate Anne (Pete) Baker (APB) to act for Jim Collins (JC) until his arrival, for a total of seven votes. Others in attendance included:
Charlene Brock 1878D Drift Road, WPT
John Conway Condo Association at 1878 Drift Road, WPT
Sandra Coravos 1998 Main Road, WPT
Sandra and Jim Feeney 1878 Drift Road, WPT
M.E. Kennedy 1831 Main Road, WPT
Welles LaMonte 1991 Main Road, WPT
Lynda Mackenzie 10 Cunningham Lane, WPT
Julie Norman 127 Faunce Corner Road, Dartmouth
Robert Pires Builder for 10 Cunningham Lane, WPT
Lennard Roberts Architect for 1998 Main Road, WPT
Betty Slade 2037 Main Road, WPT
Barbara Slaight 2026 Main Road, WPT
Peter Streng 1818 Main Road, WPT
A. General Business.
1. Notice of Recess. SC stated that WHC members intended to attend the Board of Selectmen (BOS) session to support the Trustees of Reservations when the BOS takes up consideration of the proposed lease for the Town Farm, which is taking place at that same time as WHC’s meeting. Norma Judson (NJKJ) moved and Bette DeVeuve (BDV) seconded a motion for WHC to recess temporarily to attend the BOS meeting, and return to and resume its own meeting thereafter. The motion was approved, unanimously.
2. Minutes of August 2, 2009 Meeting. Jane Loos (JL) explained that a draft was circulated by email. The meeting proposed several corrections. Janet Jones (JJ) moved and Geraldine Millham (GM) seconded a motion to approve the draft minutes as revised. The motion was approved, unanimously.
3. Treasurer’s Report for end July, 2009 from GM (Attachment 1):
(a) WHC General Expense Budget for FY2010 is $940, and $150 revenue has been booked yet. WHC Trust account balance is $7,580.69.
(b) Town Farm Expense Budget for FY2010 is $2,816.00, and the Town Farm Trust balance is $11,040.36.
(c) Wolf Pit School Trust account balance is $6,313.25.
JL moved and JJ seconded a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report. The motion was approved, unanimously.
4. Report on Handy House. As required by the terms of the Preservation Restrictions on the Handy House, WHC inspects the property at least very two years to ascertain the status. GM and APB visited the site on June 3, 2009, and found all in compliance. A copy of their report is shown in Attachment 2.
Betty Slade inquired about WHC’s role and powers to enforce compliance should there be a failure to follow the legally established conditions. SC suggested that this topic be studied further and WHC should consult the Town Administrator to understand WHC’s role and powers.
5. Mail and Notices. SC presented the following:
(a) Notice of the October 3, 2009 Symposium on Paul Cuffee
(b) Planning Board Notice of Meeting on 133 Fisher Road
(c) Town Accountant Notice concerning execution of contracts over $2,000
(d) SC August 10, 2009 letter to CPC (Attachment 3)
(e) SC August 10, 2009 letter to Building Inspector (Attachment 4)
(f) SC August 10, 2009 letter to Colby Family re 162 Atlantic Avenue (Attachment 5)
(g) SC August 10, 2009 letter to Ted and Carol Spach re 1972 Main Road (Attachment 6)
(j) SC reminded JL that Mr. Randall’s request for copies of all documents related to his
property had not yet been filled, and asked that she copy the architectural drawings in
the file when she next goes to Office Max.
6. Application for Certificate of Non-Applicability for 1930 Main Road. SC read the application which proposed “like for like” replacement of a dormer window. Some members noted that the replacement of an “inappropriate” replacement with another window of the same kind was technically within the applicant’s rights. They suggested, however, that WHC should at least advise the applicant of other alternatives, which would be more appropriate. JL moved and JC seconded a motion to approve the Certificate of Non-Applicability. JC also undertook to discuss alternatives with the applicant.
7. Wolf Pit School. JL moved and JC seconded a motion to authorize funding of up to $300.00 to be spent for cleanup around the Wolf Pit School. NKJ agreed to discuss this job with Tim Palmer, who would contact the owners directly.
B. Public Hearing for 10 Cunningham Lane for Certificate of Appropriateness
1. Lynda Mackenzie, applicant, and Robert Pires, contractor for the owner, presented the current proposal. Julie Norman, representative of window supplier, demonstrated the type of window being proposed (insulated glass, true divided lites) with an actual model of the type of construction ,(but not the scale of lites being proposed). The mullions/muntins of the proposed window were wider than what SC had noted at the house currently. This led to a discussion of the trade-offs between replacement windows and preservation of existing windows and storm windows, noting that heat loss through leaks is often more significant than through the pane of glass. The meeting also advised the applicant that WHC had no authority over the choice of storm windows. If Ms. Mackenzie were to preserve her present windows, and add new storm windows, she would not have to return to WHC for authorization. Ms. Mackenzie withdrew her application for replacement windows.
2. Ms. Mackenzie requested a vote on the proposal to repair/replace the front deck – “nominal” 1 X 4 Tongue and Groove fir deck, with mahogany rails and balusters to match those on the existing back door deck. JL moved and JC seconded a motion to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness for that proposal. The motion was approved unanimously.
C. Public Hearing for 1878 H Drift Road for Certificate of Appropriateness for Demolition.
John Conway presented the proposal to demolish the garage and remove the concrete slab which was a common element owned by the condominium owners of the Westport Point Condo Association. SC noted that the proposal was discussed at the August preliminary review. JL moved and GM seconded a motion to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for this proposed work. The motion was approved, unanimously.
D. Public Hearing for 1991 Main Road for Certificate of Appropriateness
Welles Lamonte presented the proposal to replace wood gutters with aluminum gutters (K profile) and downspouts between decorative elements, following the model used on the related carriage house. SC noted that the proposal was discussed at the August preliminary review. JL moved and JJ seconded a motion to approve the proposal. The motion was approved, unanimously.
E. Public Hearing for 1998 Main Road for Amendment to Certificate of Appropriateness
1. Christine Vezetinski (CV) recused herself from the table, because she is an abutter. Pam Coravos, applicant, and Lennard Roberts (architect) presented a proposal to amend the approved Certificate of Appropriateness to remove the south chimneystack. They presented an historical photograph showing the house without the south chimneystack.
2. APB presented documentation establishing that the foundation, hearth and interior chimney were original to the house, and tracing the series of exterior chimneystack repairs over time (Attachment 7). She confirmed the applicants’ contention that the visible chimneystack was of very recent vintage. SC confirmed that WHC had no jurisdiction over what is not visible from a public way.
3. JL moved and GM seconded a motion to amend the approved Certificate of Appropriateness to allow for the removal of the exterior chimneystack on the south side of the house. The motion was not approved.
Votes in Favor: 2 JL, GM
Votes Against: 3 SC, BDV, JJ
Abstain: 2 JC, NKJ
4. SC reminded that when WHC does not approve an application, it also must consider whether the application merits approval under conditions of Hardship. JL moved and GM seconded a motion to determine that this application does not merit a Certificate of Hardship, because it does not constitute a condition not affecting other property in the Historic District, is not unique to this property and will not affect the property in a unique manner. The motion was approved unanimously, with one abstention (NKJ).
A. General Business, continued.
8. Temporary Recess at 9:35pm. SC informed that the BOS were now taking up the proposed lease on the Town Farm, and called for the agreed recess. The meeting resumed at 9:50pm.
9. Public Hearing for 1814 Main Road for Certificate of Appropriateness. Peter Streng presented the application on behalf of owner Barbara Bean. The proposed work involves changing the style and materials of windows on the south and east over the back deck. The Chair and Clerk had determined that these changes should have a public hearing and the owner was advised to apply for a Certificate of Appropriateness. Mr. Streng showed a site plan which WHC determined showed that these windows are not visible from a public way. GM moved and CV seconded a motion to grant a Certificate of Non-Applicability for this application on the grounds that the proposed changes would not be visible from a public way. The motion was approved.
Votes in Favor: 6 SC, JC, BDV, JJ, NKJ, GM
Votes Against: 1 JL
Abstain: 0
Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 10pm. The next meeting will be at 7pm, Monday, October 5, 2009 at the Town Hall.
Drafted by Jane Loos, revised and approved at October 5, 2009 WHC meeting
Attachments:
1. Treasurer’s Report for end July, 2009
2. Report on Handy House visit
3. SC August 10 letter to CPC
4. SC August 10 letter to Building Inspector
5. SC August 10 letter to Colby Family, 162 Atlantic Avenue
6. SC August 10 letter to Ted and Carol Spach re 1972 Main Road
7. Anne (Pete) Baker’s report on 1998 Main Road
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