APRIL 27, 2005

ATTENDANCE: Marilyn Robinson, Chair; Ralph Bloom; Marija Bryant; Gail Wall; Carol Ann Falasca; Marjorie St. Aubyn; Marvin Suchoff;
William Krummel; Debbie Mathies

STAFF: Absent

OTHERS: Michael Bromley; Colin Gunn; Ed Eckert

Ms. Robinson called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

There were no minutes available.

REPORTS – TO HISTORICAL COMMISSION

LOCKWOOD MATHEWS MANSION MUSEUM

Ms. St. Aubyn distributed post cards advertising the garden show this weekend at the Mansion.

Ms. St. Aubyn distributed the stabilization report. She said that she will have to go to the Finance Committee who will appropriate funding from the Capital Campaign.

Ms. St. Aubyn reported that they are trying to save the statues in the Mansion. She presented prints of the plates that are being sold for $1,000 per pair. The proceeds will go to “Save the Statues”. Ms. Robinson pointed out that the statue of the deer has been called one of the finest animal sculptures of the 19th century.

Ms. St. Aubyn will send applications to purchase prints to everyone by e-mail. Tony Kirk will be at the Garden Show Gala explaining the print process.

NEW BUSINESS

SMITH STREET – NATHAN HALE PLAQUE

Mr. Ed Eckert, president of the local Sons of the American Revolution explained that June 6th would be Nathan Hale’s 250th birthday. In his honor, the Sons of the American Revolution are holding a number of events. They would like to place a plaque in Freese Park. May historians believe that Nathan Hale left on his spy mission from the head of the harbor. They plan to dedicate the plaque on September 10th, which is near to the time he left.

Mr. Eckert said that they are suggesting placing a bronze plaque on the flat side of a boulder. Nathan Hale had one traveling companion, Steven Hempstead who wrote a personal account of that trip. They will be using a quote from Mr. Hempstead’s writings.

Mr. Eckert said that they will be paying all of the costs associated with the plaque. Bates Memorial is taking care of the plaque. Once they determine the size of the plaque, they will know what size boulder they need. Ms. Wall said that the next step will be to present this request to the Mayor.

** MS. FALASCA MOVED TO SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE MR. ECKERT TO MOVE FORWARD ON THIS PROJECT
** MS. BRYANT SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Mr. Eckert will be giving a talk about Nathan Hale at the Town House on July 4th.

NORWALK HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Reports to Historical Commission – continued)

Ms. Wall said that her report stands as presented.

Ms. Wall reported that she dealt with the problem of a squatter who took residence at the foot of the hill. When she went there with the police, they spoke with the squatter, who agreed to move his trucks and equipment from the property. She is concerned that it appears that he tapped into the fire hydrant and there are leeching fields on the site.

The police officer had to call the First District Water Company, because it involves Homeland Security, when he tapped into the public water supply. The squatter was issued a summons criminal mischief and larceny. He has been getting mail there for a building that does not exist. He built a shack and attached it to the freight trailer. Ms. Wall said that she asked the Curator for copies of the leases for the legal tenants.

Ms. Falasca said that he wrote a letter to the Commission and want to know if that letter was answered. Ms. Robinson said that she remembers seeing a handwritten letter and at that meeting said that the letter should be forwarded to the Law Department. Mr. Bloom said that he told the squatter that this would not be agreed to. Ms. Wall said that she believes he was living at 6 Smith Street and that is the building that is coming down.

Ms. Robinson said that the Curator should follow up on this. She asked Ms. Wall to contact the Curator for copies of the lease and to write a letter on behalf of the Commission to the tenants reiterating the terms of their leases.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

REPORT OF MEETING WITH LAW DEPARTMENT RE: DUNNE HARDWARE EXHIBIT

Ms. Robinson said that she could not give a report on the meeting, because she was not there. There was a meeting with the Law Department because there were some issues that they were not aware of. On April 21st, she received a sample Certificate of Insurance and a Hold Harmless agreement for outside contractors working on the exhibit. Ms. Wall said that Volunteer release forms were discussed so that volunteers could work on the exhibit. The form has to be witnessed and notarized. The Commissioners and Friends are already covered.

Ms. Robinson asked why a Hold Harmless form was never created, since they have used volunteers in the past to work on exhibits. Mr. Suchoff said that all subcontractors know that they can get a Certificate of Insurance by making a call to their insurance company. He said that a Certificate for the Volunteers should go back to the Law Department and should be challenged.

Ms. Robinson will call Diane Beltz-Jacobson in the Law Department for clarification.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

CEMETERIES

Ms. Mathies reported that they have $10,000 to spend. Mr. Slavit sent in his estimate. Ms. Gunn talked with Mr. Foley who said that Mr. Slavit’s quote is not adequate. They will do 2 - $5,000 jobs.

DEMOLITIONS

30 HIGHLAND AVENUE

Ms. Falasca reported that they held a public hearing last night about this property. Mr. Ned Brooks was willing to help in anyway, except for saving the house.

54 SHOREFRONT

Ms. Falasca reported that the lot is going to be subdivided. She understands that the house is spectacular. It was built in 1930 and was one of the first homes built in Shorefront Park, which was created in 1925.

114 HIGHLAND AVE

This home was built in 1922. From the outside there is nothing distinctive about the line of the house. The developer is willing to sell the house for $1.00 to anyone who is willing to move it. The problem is that it is so tall, moving it would interfere with utility lines. The 6th Taxing District owns property nearby, but they have no use for the home.

AND ANY DEMOLITION APPLICATIONS PUBLISHED IN THE HOUR OR RECEIVED BY THE COMMISSION AS OF APRIL 21ST

There were no others discussed.

LMMM/MILL HILL

There was no report.

NHRI

ROWAYTON VILLAGE DISTRICT

There was no report.

NORWALK MUSEUM

Ms. Falasca said that they need to do something to keep the Museum open. Ms. Gunn is the only person who can keep it open and they need a second person. Ms. Wall said that she asked Ms. Gunn to place an ad looking for Volunteers for the Museum. Ms. Robinson said that she told Ms. Gunn that Commissioners are willing to come in and said that she would put a list together. Ms. Gunn told Ms. Robinson, that as of today, she called everyone on the list and only one person could come in for one day.

Ms. Robinson asked everyone to look at their calendars and e-mail Ms. Gunn their availability. Ms. Wall said that she did not understand how they got to this point. They should have calendars from the Curator each month. Volunteers should be pursued all the time. This is very disturbing.

Mr. Suchoff said that he would look to Ms. Gunn to motivate him to get excited about the Museum. The interest factor is missing. Ms. Falasca agreed. She said that there are people in Norwalk who are willing to volunteer. Ms. Robinson said that she hopes this will be addressed next week.

Mr. Krummel suggested contacting the Norwalk Senior Center for Volunteers. Ms. Robinson said that the Dunne Hardware exhibit is due to open in mid May, but they have lost two weeks.

Ms. Bryant noted that the Dunn’s were involved in the flood and said that the exhibit would be a wonderful lead in to the story of the flood.

ROGERS-RITCH-MERRITT HOUSE

Mr. Krummel reported that a few years ago, an architect, Sam Gardner prepared an estimate for re-assembling the structure. He said that perhaps there is no reason to wait for Belitz & Gold.

OLD BUSINESS

FODOR FARM

Mr. Krummel reported that the Land Use and Building Management Committee met last week. Ms. Falasca and Ms. Wall attended the meeting. They voted to establish a sub-committee. Mr. Krummel and Mr. Hempstead will report on the condition of the three homes on the site. The Committee will create a resolution for the Common Council to adopt.

Mr. Krummel will contact Alan Lo in the Building Department and request a map of Fodor Farm along with the three homes.

Mr. Krummel will e-mail everyone with a date so they can go to the property.

MAIN STREET

Ms. Falasca reported that she met with Bill Krause regarding the Main Street properties. She said that things are moving along. It is a great combined effort on everyone’s part.

NEW BUSINESS (continued)

Ms. Bryant reported that this Saturday, April 30th the City will conduct a citywide beautification project. Various neighborhood associations have been invited to participate. The East Norwalk Neighborhood Association has been invited to man various sites, one of which is Andrews Field. Ms. Robinson asked if members of the Commission would be able to participate. Ms. Robinson, Ms. Wall, Ms. Bryant and Ms. Falasca will meet at Andrews Field at 10:00 a.m.

There was no further business and the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Rosemarie Lombardi
Telesco Secretarial Services

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