Westport Historical Commission Meeting Minutes, April 5, 2010
Present
Member: Jim Collins, Sharon Connors, Janet Jones, Jane Loos, Geraldine Millham
Alternate: Christine Vezetinski
Absent
Member: Norma Judson, one vacancy
Alternate: Anne (Pete) Baker, Bette De Veuve
Sharon Connors (SC), Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall basement meeting area. SC named Christine Vezetinski (CV) as the sixth vote. Others in attendance included:
Caroline Bolter 1945 Main Road, WPT
Nils Bruzelius 1973 Main Road, WPT
Sean Leach 521 Division Road, WPT
George Skandalis 1945 Main Road, WPT
Betty Slade 2037 Main Road, WPT
Peter Streng 1818 Main Road, WPT
Bill Trojak Contractor for 1885B Main Road, WPT
A. General Business.
1. Minutes of March 1, 2010 Meeting. (Jane Loos (JL) explained that a draft was circulated by email. SC suggested two corrections, and Geraldine Millham (GM) moved and CV seconded a motion to approve the draft minutes as amended. The motion was approved, unanimously.
2. Treasurer’s Report. GM informed that updated information was not yet available from the Town Accountant to prepare an updated Treasurer’s Report. The meeting deferred consideration of WHC’s finances until the next meeting. SC reported that she had received a check for $90 from Partners from the sale of two WHC publications. The meeting agreed that more copies should be printed, along with more copies of the Guidelines.
3. Mail.
(a) State Register. SC informed that the updated version of the statewide register of Historic places was now available from WHC files.
(b) Conferences. SC informed that the National Trust for Historic Preservation would hold its annual meeting on October 27, 2010 in Austin Texas, and that Preservation Rhode Island would hold a conference on aspects of historic preservation at Little Compton and Tiverton on April 24, 2020.
(c) Cartoon. SC circulated a cartoon, which was received anonymously in WHC’s mailbox at Town Hall (Attachment 1).
(d) 1813-1815 Main Road. SC read to the meeting the contents of the Building Inspector’s March 3, 2010 Letter to the owners of the property (Attachment 2).
(e) Point Methodist Church. SC read to the meeting the contents of the Building Inspector’s March 4, 2010 letter concerning fire protection systems at the church (Attachment 3).
(g) Hoyt Mill. SC read to the meeting the contents of the Fire Chief’s March 12, 2010 letter concerning fire suppression at this property which is listed on the Town’s Historic Inventory (Attachment 4).
(h) Farm Conference. SC read to the meeting the announcement for a March 27, 2010 conference sponsored by SEMAP. The meeting suggested that this information be forwarded to the CPC.
4. Reference Materials. SC brought to the meetings attention a list of interesting books and other materials concerning historic preservation issues. The meeting agreed that it would be helpful if some of these (and others to be identified) would be available to better inform WHC consideration of applications. It was agreed to take this up again when the annual budget picture is clearer.
5. Historic Survey of Oscar Palmer Farm. SC and GM reported on their meeting with the Westport Land Trust to review this report. They confirmed that the report was thorough and well documented, and will help guide decisions about any historic preservation restrictions to be place on this property when it is sold back into farming use. SC reported that the current version has been revised to clarify some issues that were noted before – no gutters will be placed on the house, deeded accessibility of cemetery to Brownell family only, and dropping references to a scenic corridor designation. GM noted that two important issues are yet to be resolved--how to deal with the smaller outbuildings that are in very poor condition and possibly changing the stairway configuration inside the house. The meeting noted that WHC has yet to take a formal position on the content of any historic preservation restrictions, which would be done once the restrictions are drafted. WHC will have an important role in helping CPC to review this matter for access to funding.
B. Public Hearing for 1973 Main Road, 7:30pm. Nils Bruzelius, applicant and owner, apologized that he had changed the house trim to yellow when he last had the house painted, without WHC approval of the change. He presented his current plans to repaint the house white but change the trim to gray-blue. The meeting suggested toning down the strong contrast of colors this new paint scheme would imply. The meeting reviewed a number of possibilities offered by the paint chips brought in by Mr. Bruzelius, including moving away from harsh white to a more muted (though still pale) color and finding a trim color that would define the trim, etc. without having it pop out visually for a building so close to the street. The discussion centered on Benjamin Moore Historic Colors--Windham Cream for the house, and Acacia White for the trim.
To allow time for the applicant to consider this possible revision, the public hearing was continued until May 3, 2010 at 7:30pm. SC confirmed that the applicant would not need to be present at this meeting, if his revised color choices were as outlined above.
C. Public Hearing for 1885B Main Road, 8:30pm.
2. Bill Trojak, builder, presented the application to build a small shed dormer on the south roof aligned with the entry door, instead of the original request to install two velux skylights on the south roof. Mr. Trojack also informed that, if they are able to build a small dormer, they would no longer wish to install a second skylight on the north roof (and therefore would not pursue the Certificate of Non-applicability that was approved at the March 1, 2010 meeting). Mr. Trojack confirmed that the windows in the dormer would be Brosco casements, with true divided lights. He also noted that the there would be woven shingles on the corners of the dormer.
3. GM moved and CV seconded a motion to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for the proposal as drawn. The motion was approved unanimously, with one abstention –JL abutter.
D. Public Hearing for 1953 Main Road, 8:00pm. SC informed that the applicant was not able to attend tonight’s meeting and had requested a continuation. It was moved and seconded to continue this hearing to May 3, 2010 at 8pm. The motion was approved unanimously.
A. General Business, continued.
6. Letter to Owners in the Westport Point Historic District. SC circulated a draft of the letter in advance of the meeting. WHC members offered a number of suggestions, and it was agreed that SC would revise the letter and arrange to have it sent out when the next batch of the guidelines are printed.
7. CPC. Betty Slade reminded the meeting that there would be an article at the next Town Meeting proposing to abolish the CPC and its funding mechanism. The meeting noted the large number of important and successful historic preservation activities that had received CPC support. It was agreed that this topic would be discussed again at the May 3, 2010 meeting , in time to make WHC’s official position known for Town Meeting on May 25, 2010.
Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 8:55pm. The next meeting will be at 7pm, Monday, May 3, 2010 at the Town Hall.
Drafted by Jane Loos , approved May 3, 2010
Attachments:
1. Cartoon
2. Building Inspector March 3, 2010 letter re 1813-1815 Main Road
3. Building Inspector March 4, 2010 letter re Westport Point Methodist Church
4. Fire Chief’s March 12, 2010 letter re Hoyt Mill
Member: Jim Collins, Sharon Connors, Janet Jones, Jane Loos, Geraldine Millham
Alternate: Christine Vezetinski
Absent
Member: Norma Judson, one vacancy
Alternate: Anne (Pete) Baker, Bette De Veuve
Sharon Connors (SC), Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall basement meeting area. SC named Christine Vezetinski (CV) as the sixth vote. Others in attendance included:
Caroline Bolter 1945 Main Road, WPT
Nils Bruzelius 1973 Main Road, WPT
Sean Leach 521 Division Road, WPT
George Skandalis 1945 Main Road, WPT
Betty Slade 2037 Main Road, WPT
Peter Streng 1818 Main Road, WPT
Bill Trojak Contractor for 1885B Main Road, WPT
A. General Business.
1. Minutes of March 1, 2010 Meeting. (Jane Loos (JL) explained that a draft was circulated by email. SC suggested two corrections, and Geraldine Millham (GM) moved and CV seconded a motion to approve the draft minutes as amended. The motion was approved, unanimously.
2. Treasurer’s Report. GM informed that updated information was not yet available from the Town Accountant to prepare an updated Treasurer’s Report. The meeting deferred consideration of WHC’s finances until the next meeting. SC reported that she had received a check for $90 from Partners from the sale of two WHC publications. The meeting agreed that more copies should be printed, along with more copies of the Guidelines.
3. Mail.
(a) State Register. SC informed that the updated version of the statewide register of Historic places was now available from WHC files.
(b) Conferences. SC informed that the National Trust for Historic Preservation would hold its annual meeting on October 27, 2010 in Austin Texas, and that Preservation Rhode Island would hold a conference on aspects of historic preservation at Little Compton and Tiverton on April 24, 2020.
(c) Cartoon. SC circulated a cartoon, which was received anonymously in WHC’s mailbox at Town Hall (Attachment 1).
(d) 1813-1815 Main Road. SC read to the meeting the contents of the Building Inspector’s March 3, 2010 Letter to the owners of the property (Attachment 2).
(e) Point Methodist Church. SC read to the meeting the contents of the Building Inspector’s March 4, 2010 letter concerning fire protection systems at the church (Attachment 3).
(g) Hoyt Mill. SC read to the meeting the contents of the Fire Chief’s March 12, 2010 letter concerning fire suppression at this property which is listed on the Town’s Historic Inventory (Attachment 4).
(h) Farm Conference. SC read to the meeting the announcement for a March 27, 2010 conference sponsored by SEMAP. The meeting suggested that this information be forwarded to the CPC.
4. Reference Materials. SC brought to the meetings attention a list of interesting books and other materials concerning historic preservation issues. The meeting agreed that it would be helpful if some of these (and others to be identified) would be available to better inform WHC consideration of applications. It was agreed to take this up again when the annual budget picture is clearer.
5. Historic Survey of Oscar Palmer Farm. SC and GM reported on their meeting with the Westport Land Trust to review this report. They confirmed that the report was thorough and well documented, and will help guide decisions about any historic preservation restrictions to be place on this property when it is sold back into farming use. SC reported that the current version has been revised to clarify some issues that were noted before – no gutters will be placed on the house, deeded accessibility of cemetery to Brownell family only, and dropping references to a scenic corridor designation. GM noted that two important issues are yet to be resolved--how to deal with the smaller outbuildings that are in very poor condition and possibly changing the stairway configuration inside the house. The meeting noted that WHC has yet to take a formal position on the content of any historic preservation restrictions, which would be done once the restrictions are drafted. WHC will have an important role in helping CPC to review this matter for access to funding.
B. Public Hearing for 1973 Main Road, 7:30pm. Nils Bruzelius, applicant and owner, apologized that he had changed the house trim to yellow when he last had the house painted, without WHC approval of the change. He presented his current plans to repaint the house white but change the trim to gray-blue. The meeting suggested toning down the strong contrast of colors this new paint scheme would imply. The meeting reviewed a number of possibilities offered by the paint chips brought in by Mr. Bruzelius, including moving away from harsh white to a more muted (though still pale) color and finding a trim color that would define the trim, etc. without having it pop out visually for a building so close to the street. The discussion centered on Benjamin Moore Historic Colors--Windham Cream for the house, and Acacia White for the trim.
To allow time for the applicant to consider this possible revision, the public hearing was continued until May 3, 2010 at 7:30pm. SC confirmed that the applicant would not need to be present at this meeting, if his revised color choices were as outlined above.
C. Public Hearing for 1885B Main Road, 8:30pm.
1. JL recused herself as she is an abutter. GM acted as Secretary for this portion of the meeting.
2. Bill Trojak, builder, presented the application to build a small shed dormer on the south roof aligned with the entry door, instead of the original request to install two velux skylights on the south roof. Mr. Trojack also informed that, if they are able to build a small dormer, they would no longer wish to install a second skylight on the north roof (and therefore would not pursue the Certificate of Non-applicability that was approved at the March 1, 2010 meeting). Mr. Trojack confirmed that the windows in the dormer would be Brosco casements, with true divided lights. He also noted that the there would be woven shingles on the corners of the dormer.
3. GM moved and CV seconded a motion to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for the proposal as drawn. The motion was approved unanimously, with one abstention –JL abutter.
D. Public Hearing for 1953 Main Road, 8:00pm. SC informed that the applicant was not able to attend tonight’s meeting and had requested a continuation. It was moved and seconded to continue this hearing to May 3, 2010 at 8pm. The motion was approved unanimously.
A. General Business, continued.
6. Letter to Owners in the Westport Point Historic District. SC circulated a draft of the letter in advance of the meeting. WHC members offered a number of suggestions, and it was agreed that SC would revise the letter and arrange to have it sent out when the next batch of the guidelines are printed.
7. CPC. Betty Slade reminded the meeting that there would be an article at the next Town Meeting proposing to abolish the CPC and its funding mechanism. The meeting noted the large number of important and successful historic preservation activities that had received CPC support. It was agreed that this topic would be discussed again at the May 3, 2010 meeting , in time to make WHC’s official position known for Town Meeting on May 25, 2010.
Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 8:55pm. The next meeting will be at 7pm, Monday, May 3, 2010 at the Town Hall.
Drafted by Jane Loos , approved May 3, 2010
Attachments:
1. Cartoon
2. Building Inspector March 3, 2010 letter re 1813-1815 Main Road
3. Building Inspector March 4, 2010 letter re Westport Point Methodist Church
4. Fire Chief’s March 12, 2010 letter re Hoyt Mill
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