SEPTEMBER 28, 2005

ATTENDANCE: Carol Ann Falasca, Vice Chair; Ralph Bloom; Betty Booth;
Marija Bryant; William Krummel; Deborah Mathies; Gail Wall

STAFF: Susan Gunn-Bromley, Curator

GUESTS: Michael Bromley; Bill Edgerton;Glenn Iannaccone; Ryan Jockers, The Advocate; Elizabeth Montgomery; Al Raymond;
Diane Witkowsky

Ms. Falasca called the meeting to order at 7:38 p.m.

287 RICHARDS AVENUE

Mr. Edgerton spoke about his property at 287 Richards Avenue. He explained that it is a 105 year old building; however, it has no redeeming features. He would like to live in the home, while he builds behind the house. He will not request a demolition permit for at least a year. Mr. Edgerton spoke about the homes he has refurbished in the past.

Mr. Edgerton said that he would like to give the home to anyone who would take it and re-build it somewhere else. He said that the house is not plaqued. It has interesting door trim, but little else. It is under electrified and plumbed.

Ms. Wall asked Mr. Edgerton why he purchased the home. He said that his intention from day one was to eliminate the house. None of the other lots in the area have the topography that is on that lot. Mr. Edgerton said that he is willing to let the Historical Commission tour the home. He said that he could not incorporate the existing home into the new one, because he collects antiques and it is important to him to be able to accommodate those antiques in the house.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES – AUGUST 24, 2005

The following corrections were made to the minutes:

Page 1: under others – add Kelly Stratiniti
Page 2: second paragraph, last sentence add: about the red ware plate
third paragraph first sentence add, Ms. Falasca and that they also made a site visit to the old police building
sixth paragraph, change with to within
Page 5: first sentence change storage cabinets to display case. Change Mr. Falasca to Ms. Falasca
Third and fourth paragraph, change Ms. Wells to Ms. Wall
Page 7, change North East Cement to New England Cemetery
Last paragraph, change Sinco to Simko
Page 8: 27 Avenue C change home to garage

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

REPORTS TO HISTORICAL COMMISSION

LOCKWOOD MATHEWS MANSION MUSEUM

Ms. Montgomery reported that the restoration of the billiard room floor is scheduled for November 14 – 20th. She distributed copies of the estimate that were prepared by Floor Works, Inc.

The Antique Show is scheduled for October 29 – 30 and the gala party will take place on October 28th.

NORWALK HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Ms. Wall said that her report sent to everyone by e-mail stands. She said that the lease will be sent to the Land Use and Building Management Committee for their approval and then forwarded to the Common Council for their approval.

Mr. Bloom pointed out that meeting packages are supposed to arrive one week before the meeting – and not by e-mail. He said that this is no way to conduct business.

** MS. MATHIES MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE PRELIMINARY LEASE SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSED LEASE TERMS

Ms. Wall said that the Historical Society is planning to install a 10 year, permanent exhibit on Mill Hill of the early history of Norwalk. She said that for the next 3 – 5 years they will have a strong Board in place.

** MS. BRYANT SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED WITH ONE (2) ABSTENTIONS (MS. BRYANT AND MR. BLOOM)

DEMOLITIONS – SEPTEMBER 21 PUBLIC HEARING – 15 AND 19 WEST MAIN STREET; 3 AND 5 SUMMER STREET

Ms. Falasca reviewed the public hearing that took place on September 21. Ms. Bryant said that Mr. Bryant e-mailed the developer asking for a meeting time.

Mr. Bloom noted that this is the second public hearing that was held under the ordinance that provided a large turnout. He said that he was very encouraged by the turnout at both public hearings.

PRESENTATION OF PLAQUE

Ms. Falasca presented a plaque to Mr. Glenn Iannaccone in appreciation for his service to the Historical Commission from 1998 to 2004.

STAFF TO THE COMMISSION REPORT

NORWALK MUSEUM

Ms. Gunn-Bromley reported that Mr. Joe Schnierlein of The Maritime Aquarium requested permission to take digital photos of maps to show students how the shorefront and islands have changed over the years.

Mr. Bloom said that they should not read the materials at the meeting.

** MS. BRYANT MOVED TO APPROVE THE REQUEST BY MR. SCHNIERLEIN OF THE MARITIME AQUARIUM
** MS. WALL SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Martha Stewart Living is interested in receiving copies of scanned images from the collection.

** MS. BOOTH MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONCEPT PENDING RECEIPT OF A FORMAL REQUEST FROM MARTHA STEWART LIVING, AND AS LONG AS THEY ARE CHARGED AND CREDIT THE NORWALK MUSEUM FOR ALL MATERIALS AND REPRODUCTION WORK
** MS. BRYANT SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Ms. Gunn-Bromley presented shards of red ware and doorknobs found at the corner of Marshall Street during the construction of The Maritime Aquarium in 1988.

** MR. BLOOM MOVED TO ACCEPT THE DONATION OF POTTERY SHARDS AND DOORKNOBS FROM JUDITH NELSON AND GEORGE BOLTON
** MS. BOOTH SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Ms. Gunn-Bromley presented a watercolor donated by Judith Nelson. She believes that it is a painting of Shea Island and was painted by a member of the Betts family around 1900.

** MS. BRYANT MOVED TO ACCEPT THE WATER COLOR
** MR. BLOOM SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Ms. Gunn-Bromley presented a sketch by Alexander Rummler, which is an early example of his work.

** MS. MATHIES MOVED TO ACCEPT THE SKETCH
** MR. BLOOM SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Ms. Gunn-Bromley presented a copy of The Norwalk Hour from October 18th and 19th, 1955. The newspapers are in poor shape and she suggested creating digital photos of the newspapers and then discarding them.

** MR. BLOOM MOVED TO ACCEPT THE COPIES OF THE NORWALK HOUR
** MS. WALL SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Ms. Gunn-Bromley said that the Columbus Magnet School would like to bring the second grade to visit the Museum.

** MS. BRYANT MOVED THAT SCHOOL VISITS TO THE MUSEUM ARE WELCOME DEPENDING UPON THE TIME FRAME AND SCHEDULE
** MS. MATHIES SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Ms. Gunn-Bromley said that Dr. Cynthia Barnett who is a retired administrator at Brien McMahon High School would like to hold a book signing in Merchant’s Court. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross. She has agreed to pay a fee to the Museum. Her book shows how woman can re-formulate their lives.

Ms. Booth said that Dr. Barnett is known in certain circles.

** MS. BOOTH MOVED TO ALLOW DR. BARNETT TO USE THE NORWALK MUSEUM FOR A BOOK SIGNING AT A DATE TO BE DETERMINED
** MS. BRYANT SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Ms. Falasca said that she would like to get an answer from Code Enforcement so that they can contact the Eagle Scout.

Ms. Wall said that she is interested in the status of the Lockwood vases. Ms. Falasca suggested calling the Bruce Museum and asking them who they use to repair vases. Ms. Wall said that this is an important piece for the collection and this needs to be resolved.

Ms. Mathies asked Ms. Gunn-Bromley if the volunteer applications have been filled out. Ms. Gunn-Bromley said that they are in the file and will provide a copy to Ms. Robinson.

FINANCE REPORT

Ms. Gunn-Bromley reviewed the budget. Ms. Falasca suggested that everyone begin to think about what they need to ask for.

COALITION OF NORWALK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS – MATHEWS PARK/OLD POLICE STATION

Ms. Witkowsky said that she was told by Mr. Alvord that this was a waste of time because the Mayor has plans for the old police building. Mr. Bloom pointed out that in 1960 the same type of city employee told them to forget about the mansion.

CHAIR REPORT

There was no report this evening.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

CEMETERIES

Ms. Mathies said that there will be a workshop on Saturday at Pine Hill Cemetery. She had a call from a women in New Jersey looking for a name in the cemetery. Ms. Mathies suggested charging a fee for this service. Mr. Bloom asked to have the Pine Island Cemetery sign corrected.

Ms. Mathies said that they should have the full GPS map of Pine Island Cemetery shortly.

DEMOLITIONS

36, 38, 40, 42, 44 and 46 Stuart Avenue

Ms. Wall reported that all of the trees are gone from the sites. She called City Hall about the abatement, but they had no documentation on that. Ms. Wall said that the neighbors have been calling City Hall and were not being treated nicely.

The homes were built between 1850 and 1900. The applications are incorrect and incomplete. A press conference about the demolition of the homes is scheduled for tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. at the site.

** MS. WALL MOVED TO SCHEDULE A PUBLIC HEARING FOR 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 and 46 STUART AVENUE ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2005 AT 7:30 P.M. IN ROOM 101 AT NORWALK CITY HALL
** MS. MATHIES SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Mr. Raymond said that he is very concerned because fine for demolition are not strict enough.

14 Harstrom Place

Ms. Falasca said that this is a 1900 2 bedroom, 1 ½ bath colonial in Rowayton. It is a very sweet house that needs some work.

Ms. Wall said that Norwalk is the last affordable community in Fairfield County.

Ms. Booth said that there is a group of people who want affordable housing in Norwalk.

Ms. Falasca suggested scheduling a special meeting to address demolitions.

13 Thomes Street was built in 1924.

Dean Street is located in Rowayton.

26 Covlee Drive is a small ranch.

24 Wilson Avenue needs work.

19 West Main Street has a demolition delay.

Blue Mountain Road is a contemporary home.

9 Fairview Avenue - Ms. Falasca believes that they are putting up one or two family homes on the site.

60 West Avenue does not exist. It is a vacant lot.

Ms. Wall suggested that the Historical Commission write a letter in support of saving the homes on Stuart Avenue.

LMMM/MILL HILL

Ms. Bryant said that the Carriage House roof venting system is an open issue and asked Ms. Gunn-Bromley to get another estimate for that work.

Ms. Bryant and Ms. Robinson will meet with Mr. Passaro, president of the Lockwood Mathews Mansion Museum board to discuss the sprinkler issue at the Mansion.

NHRI

Ms. Mathies thanked everyone for making Fodor Farm happen. Mr. Krummel announced that one member of the Fodor Farm Committee resigned due to a conflict of interest.

Main Avenue and Westport Avenue

Ms. Gunn-Bromley said that this is the next redevelopment area coming up for discussion.

NORWALK MUSEUM

Ms. Falasca said that this Committee met on Saturday. The Friends of the Norwalk Museum are having a reception on October 16th for the Dunn’s Hardware exhibit. The tag sale is scheduled for December 2, 3 and 4. Ms. Gunn-Bromley said that she would like to do an exhibit on textiles after the tag sale.

Ms. Falasca said that the Norwalk Women’s club sent a letter to the Chair regarding damages to the quilt. Ms. Gunn-Bromley said that the quilt had been protected. It was folded into a sheet and put in the storage area with the other textiles. She said that if the Women’s Club wants it stored another way, she will do that.

Mr. Bloom said that the accepted practice for a number of years is to store the quilt is on rollers without any folds or strains on the threads. Ms. Gunn-Bromley said that she disagrees with the proper way to store the quilt.

Ms. Falasca said that they need to respond to the Women’s Club. Ms. Gunn-Bromley said that the woman who came in recently from the Woman’s Club liked that the quilt was stored folded in a box.

Ms. Gunn-Bromley said that she was not aware that the quilt was given to the City. If so, then the ownership is with the Commission.

Ms. Falasca said that she will discuss this further with Ms. Robinson.

NORWALK MUSEUM GIFT SHOP

Ms. Booth distributed the minutes of their meeting of last Saturday. The Friends are requesting that they be re-established as the operators of the Gift Shop.

Mr. Booth said that it has been established that the Common Council approved the Friends of the Norwalk Museum to run the Gift Shop at the Museum.

** MS. BOOTH MOVED THAT THE COMMITTEE MEET WITH THE FRIENDS OF THE NORWALK MUSEUM TO DISCUSS THEIR PROCEDURES FOR THEIR RETURN AS OPERATORS OF THE GIFT SHOP
** MS. MATHIES SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED WITH ONE (1) ABSTENTION (MR. BLOOM

ROGERS RITCH MERRITT HOUSE

This item was not discussed.

OPERATING BUDGET 2005-2006

This item was not discussed.

OLD BUSINESS

DEMOLITION ORDINANCE REVIEW WITH POSSIBLE RESOLUTION ADDRESSED TO THE COMMON COUNCIL FOR ORDINANCE REVISION

This item was not discussed.

There was no further business and the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 11:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted

Rosemarie Lombardi
Telesco Secretarial Services

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