JavaScript Menu, DHTML Menu Powered By Milonic


« BOH Minutes 6-30-10 | Main News Page | Home Page | Conservation Commission Agenda 7-27-10 »

Historical Commission Minutes, May 3, 2010

Present 
Member:  Jim Collins, Sharon Connors, Janet Jones, Norma Judson, Jane Loos,
               Geraldine Millham
Alternate: Christine Vezetinski

Absent
Member: one vacancy
Alternate: Anne (Pete) Baker, Bette De Veuve

Sharon Connors (SC), Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm in the Town Hall basement meeting area.  SC named Christine Vezetinski (CV) as the seventh vote.  Others in attendance included:

 Caroline Bolter                                  1945 Main Road, WPT
 Nancy Burkholder                              1950-56 Drift Road, WPT
 Gregg Nowell                                    1907 Drift Road, WPT
 Betty Slade                                       2037 Main Road, WPT
 Bob Tripp                                          1834 Main Road, WPT
 
 A.   General Business.

1.   Minutes of April 5, 2010 Meeting.  Jane Loos (JL) explained that a draft was circulated by email.  SC suggested two corrections, and Janet Jones (JJ) moved and CV seconded a motion to approve the draft minutes as amended.  The motion was approved, unanimously.

2.   Treasurer’s Report.   Geraldine Millham (GM) presented both the report as of April 5, 2010 and that of May 3, 2010 (Attachments 1 and 2):

(a)  WHC expense account had a balance of $415.46.   Revenue to date is $550.

(b)  WHC Trust Account balance is $8,689.57.  Wolf Pit School Trust balance is $6,348.98.
 

(c)  Town Farm expense account had a balance of 1772.05.  The Town Farm Trust Account balance is $11,104.08.

2.     The meeting reviewed likely WHC expenditures for the balance of the year for WHC, and concluded that the budgeted funds are likely to be fully withdrawn.  GM explained that there is a septic issue at the Town Farm rented apartment, which needs repair/replacement which could draw the remaining funds from that account.   The meeting also concluded that WHC should explore further use of shared reference materials from other historical commissions or libraries before acquiring more reference materials on its own.

3.    JL moved, and CV seconded a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report.   The vote in favor was unanimous.

3.   Mail.   SC reported that there was no mail for consideration at tonight’s meeting.

4.     Community Preservation Act.   Betty Slade briefed the meeting on the current status of proposed CPC projects, noting that there are no new historical preservation projects coming up for approval.  Ms. Slade also reminded the meeting that the Annual Town Meeting at the end of May will consider a warrant article to suspend CPA funding, and suggested that WHC may wish to inform Town residents about the historical preservation projects that have been funded through this source and the positive impact these have made on the town.

B.   Continuation of Public Hearing for 1973 Main Road, 7:30pm. SC informed that Nils Bruzelius had confirmed by email that he wished to proceed with the colors discussed at the previous meeting -- Benjamin Moore Historic Colors--Windham Cream for the house, and Acadia White for the trim.   JL moved and CV seconded a motion to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for changing exterior paint colors.  The motion was approved unanimously.   SC named Norma Judson (NKJ) and JL as monitors.

 A.  General Business, continued
 
5.  Preliminary Review 1834 Main Road.   Bob Tripp presented some preliminary plans to eliminate the 60’s-70’s style windows on the west and south sides of the house, and install true divided lights similar in scale and design to those on the second floor front of the house.  He is considering Pella wood, true divided light windows, 8 over one or six over one, or some combination.

6.   The sense of the meeting was supportive of eliminating the bay windows,  and redoing the windows in a more traditional form.  Members presented ideas on using this time as an opportunity also to improve insulation of the roof, which would likely delivery high returns in energy savings, more so than new windows.   The meeting advised looking at Brosco true divided lights and storm windows.    The meeting advised consistency in the number of panes in each window.

7.   Monitor Reports.   SC reported that the dormer at 1885B Main Road has been completed and it looks appropriate.   She also reported that painting is proceeding at 1998 Main Road, with the Greek Revival house returning to its original colors.

C.  Public Hearing for 1950-56 Drift Road, 7:40pm.  

1.     Nancy Burkholder presented her plans to rebuild the chimneys on both the original house and new cottage, due to leaks and seepage of tars.  She initially described the work as like for like, same size, height, dimensions and caps and asked for a Certificate of Non-Applicability.   However, in the discussion it became clear that the “interior” quality of brick on the cottage would need to be changed to “exterior” quality brick, and that both chimneys would be built of a different color and type of brick.   Ms. Burkholder showed to the meeting a sample of the type of brick her mason intended to use.  While the meeting found the proposed type of brick appropriate --- Stiles and Hart water struck, as opposed to extruded—the choice of brick color was much darker than currently on the house/cottage and indeed than any other chimney in the historic district, being more appropriate to Boston/Harvard types of structures.  

2.    While trying to facilitate a rapid pace of work on the chimneys, WHC was concerned that there had been previous difficulties with this property, when work proceeded differently from the approved plans. The meeting agreed to proceed with a Certificate of Non-Applicability that specified brick color and type and mortar color, with the proviso that samples of the revised selection of brick and mortar be made available to the monitors (GM and CV) to review before any work is initiated.  The meeting specified that the brick color should be Stiles and Hart lighter red—narrow range, and that the mortar should be light gray (not Portland cement gray). If the actual brick presented to the monitors is different than that specified in the Certificate of Non-Applicability, WHC would inform the Building Inspector and ask him to stop the work until an acceptable selection is made.   

3.     CV moved and Janet Jones (JJ) seconded a motion to grant a Certificate of Non-Applicability on these terms.  The motion was approved unanimously.

D.  Continuation of Public Hearing for 1953 Main Road, 8:00PM

1.    Barbara Koenitzer presented revised plans for the garage side entry from that approved under the existing Certificate of Appropriateness.  The proposed work is to replace the single door on the south side of the garage with a double door of the same design as the new doors on the adjacent house addition.

2.    The meeting discussed a previous configuration which was not approved, which also was to install double doors, but they were 15 panel French door style.   The meeting reconfirmed that the earlier objection was to the French door style on a garage, and not the idea of double doors.  NKJ moved and GM seconded a motion to amend the existing Certificate of Appropriateness to include the proposed double doors on the garage, drawings dated December 11, 2009.    The vote in favor was unanimous.


Adjournment.
    The meeting adjourned at 8:45pm.  The next meeting will be at 7pm, Monday, June 7 2010 at the Town Hall.


Drafted by Jane Loos , approved June 7, 2010.

Attachments:
1.  Treasurer’s Report April 5, 2010
2.  Treasurer’s Report May 3, 2010

« BOH Minutes 6-30-10 | Main News Page | Westport Home Page | Conservation Commission Agenda 7-27-10 »