JANUARY 26, 2005

ATTENDANCE: Carol Ann Falasca, Acting Chair; Ralph Bloom; Elizabeth Booth; Marija Bryant; Debbie Mathies; Marvin Suchoff; Gail Wall

STAFF: Susan Gunn, Curator

OTHERS: Marjorie St. Aubyn, Lockwood Mathews Mansion Museum;
Colin Gunn, Esq.

The Acting Chair, Ms. Falasca called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.

Ms. Falasca welcomed Mr. Suchoff to his first meeting as a member of the Commission. Mr. Suchoff said that he was looking forward to joining the group.

Ms. Falasca announced that they would take the agenda out of order this evening.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: December 21, 2004

The following corrections were made to the minutes:

Page 3: or should be changed to for
Summit Street should be changed to Reed Smith Street
Early February should be changed to the spring. The arch assessment was available to come in early February.
Sent should be changed to set

Page 4: be everyone should be changed to by everyone

Page 5: petitions should be changed to petitioners
Delete 235 Westport Avenue
Add perhaps after acre
Delete Ms. Bryant commented that it would be nice to keep the old buildings and be able to provide luxury units in them.
Add for a 90-day delay after letter

Page 6: replace this item would be put on January’s agenda with therefore there was no report

Page 7: add and not spent after already
Add by the by the Finance Department after it was suggested
Change rental to security deposit
Delete: Mr. Bloom said that plans for development of parcel 3 on Wall Street are near completion and money should be budgeted for the 2006-07 year
Correct Lother to Loether

** MS. BOOTH MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES AS CORRECTED
** MS. MATHIES SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

NORWALK PRESERVATION TRUST – Preservation Easement for 5 Elmcrest Terrace

Mr. Todd Bryant, President of the Norwalk Preservation Trust explained what an historic preservation easement is by reading the information that he downloaded from the National Park Services. He said that the Connecticut Trust for Preservation would hold the easement on the property and the cost would be $12,000.

Mr. Bryant said that Mr. Kydes is reluctant to apply for this easement and he does not want the tax benefit. He would prefer more cash upfront. Ms. Bryant asked what the Commission’s involvement would be. Mr. Bryant explained that someone would have to keep an eye on 5 Elmcrest Terrace. If they run across someone who purchases the property and does not want to abide by the easement, they would have to enforce the easement, which would involve the Legal Department.

Mr. Bryant said that they are not asking the City of Norwalk to pay for anything. The only cost would be if the City had to defend the easement.

Ms. Gunn asked if any other Connecticut towns hold historic easements. Mr. Bryant said that he did not know. Ms. Gunn suggested talking to the Connecticut Trust to find out what has been done when this has been tested and challenged. Ms. Gunn asked if anyone holds a joint easement. Mr. Bryant said that he did not know. He said that this is a tool that is not used much in Connecticut, and he does not know why.

Ms. Falasca asked Mr. Bryant if he needed anything from this Commission. He said that he wanted to present this information to the Commission. Ms. Bryant said that she would send the link from the National Trust to everyone and to Ms. Gunn for the files.

Ms. Falasca said that if this is presented to the City that there is not cost to the City unless there is a breach, it will be palatable to the City. Mr. Bryant said that since the value of the property is diminished by having this easement, the property taxes would be reduced.

DEMOLITIONS

130-134 Main Street

Mr. Bryant said that they are spectacular houses that are all in a 90-day delay. The developer wants to tear down the buildings and build luxury condominiums. He and others walked through the two houses. He said that it would be a crime to tear them down. Mr. Bryant presented photographs of the interior and exterior of both homes. There has been something on the property of 132 Main Avenue since around 1780.

The Commission discussed holding a public hearing.

** MS. BRYANT MOVED TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE MAIN STREET HOMES
** MR. BLOOM SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

REPORTS – To Historical Commission

Lockwood Mathews Mansion Museum – Marjorie St. Aubyn

Ms. St. Aubyn read her written report that was included in everyone’s packets.

POKO DEVELOPMENT – Plans for Wall Street/Smith Street

Mr. Ken Olsen and Ms. Corrine Stossant from POKO Partners came before the Commission and gave a visual presentation of their plans for the Wall Street/Smith Street area.

REPORTS (continued) –Norwalk Historical Society – Gail Wall

Ms. Wall said that her report was in everyone’s packets. She noted that Mill Hill is closed for the winter.

STAFF TO COMMISSION REPORT

Ms. Gunn reviewed her written report that was included in everyone’s packets. Ms. Gunn spoke about moving the shelving units. Mr. Bloom said that when they were bought, they were in good condition. Ms. Gunn said that she had to move them down stairs to protect them. Mr. Bloom said that they belong to the Friends and that not one fixture is leaving here. He said that all of the cabinetry belongs to the Friends.

Ms. Falasca said that this issue needs to be resolved, but not tonight.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

Ms. Falasca asked Ms. Gunn if she had completed all of her assigned tasks. Ms. Gunn said that she has been concentrating on the inventory and unable to address everything.

Ms. Booth asked if there was a policy in place allowing other groups to store records. Ms. Gunn said that it is part of the collections management policy.

** MS. BOOTH MOVED TO ALLOW THE SENIOR CENTER ON ALLEN ROAD TO BORROW A DISPLAY CASE FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD
** MR. SUCHOFF SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Ms. Falasca noted that Mr. Bloom said that he will pay to transport the display case to Allen Road.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Cemeteries – Debbie Mathies

Ms. Mathies did not have a report

Mr. Suchoff left the meeting at 10:00 p.m.

NHRI – Debbie Mathies

Ms. Mathies said that letters went out to City officials. .

Demolitions (Continued) - Carol Ann Falasca

50 ½ Roton Avenue

Ms. Falasca explained that it is a 1950’s building and is up on a nice point. She said that she did not think it would be worth trying to hold this one back.

8 Byington Place

Ms. Falasca reported that this home was built in 1900.

Any demolition applications published in The Hour or received by the Commission as of January 21, 2004.

There were none.

LMMM/Mill Hill – Marija Bryant

There was no report.

Norwalk Museum Gift Shop – Betty Booth

Ms. Booth said that they did not meet last month. Ms. Booth asked Ms. Gunn if she filed the sales and use tax for 2004. Ms. Gunn explained that it has been prepared and she sent an e-mail to Ms. Robinson asking her how she wanted to handle that. Ms. Gunn added that they had $942.38 in sales and $56.55 in sales tax owed. She has a question into the Comptroller’s office asking him how they want that paid.

Rogert-Ritch-Merritt House – Bill Krummel

Mr. Krummel was not present and there was no report.

OLD BUSINESS

Ms. Falasca asked everyone to let Ms. Robinson know if they plan to attend on February 1st.

NEW BUSINESS

Nominating Committee – Presentation of Slate of Officers Vote for 2005 NHC Officers

** MS. MATHIES MOVED TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING SLATE OF OFFICERS:

MS. ROBINSON – CHAIR
MS. FALASCA – VICE CHAIR

MS. WALL SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

There was no further business and the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 10:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Rosemarie Lombardi
Telesco Secretarial Service

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