OCTOBER 26, 2005

ATTENDANCE: Marilyn Robinson, Chair; 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; Ryan Jockers, The Advocate; Eagle Scout,
Colt Kostowski; Susan Kostowski

Ms. Falasca called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m. and recognized Colt Kostowski who distributed his Eagle Scout proposal to the Commissioners.

Ms. Robinson arrived at 7:50 p.m.

The Commissioners asked Mr. Kostowski for specific information about is proposal to repair the brick floor in the Merchants Courtyard in the Museum. Ms. Gunn-Bromley will check with the City of Norwalk’s Legal Department to get clarification about insurance coverage for Mr. Kostowski and his helpers during the project.

Mr. Bloom offered to come in during off hours to oversee the project. He said that he would like to see Mr. Kostowski earn his badge.

** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED TO ALLOW MS. ROBINSON TO SIGN THE PRELIMINARY APPROVAL FOR THE PROPOSED EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT
** MS. BRYANT SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

APPROVAL OF MINUTES – September 28, 2005

The following corrections were made to the minutes:

Page1: first paragraph, second sentence should read: He explained that it is a 105-year-old building; however, he said that in his opinion, it has no redeeming features.

Second paragraph, last sentence should read: He said that in his opinion it has interesting door trim, but little else.

Page 4 last sentence should read – Ms. Booth said that Dr. Barnett is know in certain circles and has been recognized nationally in Time Magazine.
** MS. FALASCA MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES AS CORRECTED
** MS. BOOTH SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

REPORTS

LOCKWOOD MATHEWS MANSION

There was no report this evening.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

Ms. Robinson said that she wanted to make a personal statement. She respects and cares about all of the Commissioners and appreciates all of their hard work; however, because she works 8 – 5 and sometimes later, it is difficult for her to keep up with minute-by-minute information.

Any e-mail from the Commission sent to Ms. Gunn-Bromley with a copy to her can be regarded as coming from her.

Ms. Robinson needs to be in the loop if anyone speaks publicly about any Commission business.

NORWALK HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Ms. Wall’s written report stands as submitted.

DEMOLITIONS

September 21 public hearing the proposed demolitions of 15 and 19 West Main Street; 3 and 5 Summer Street

Ms. Falasca said that she was pleased with the outcome of the public hearing on this matter. Ms. Gunn-Bromley said that she and Judy Caban researched the West Main Street area and determined that West Main Street does not appear on any maps until the 20th century. Most of the homes were located on Main Street. During the 20th century, Black families owned homes in that area.

October 19 Public hearing the proposed demolitions of 36, 38, 40,42,44 and 46 Stuart Avenue

Ms. Falasca expressed disappointment about this issue. Channel 12 ran an editorial about the Stuart Avenue proposed demolitions. Ms. Robinson will contact Dianne Wildman at Channel 12 to let her know that the Commission wishes to respond to that editorial.

Ms. Booth commented that the Commission should review all leases. Ms. Gunn-Bromley and Ms. Wall both said that the City told them that the leases go before the Common Council for approval. Ms. Falasca explained that this Commission approves the preliminary lease and then it gets sent to the Land Use Committee for approval and then forwarded to the full Common Council for final approval.

Mr. Bloom said that they need to have copies of all of the current leases on file. It is especially important to have them on hand to refer to for the budget assumptions.

Ms. Wall suggested putting in place a system so that they are notified when a lease is due.

COALITION OF NORWALK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS

MATHEWS PARK/OLD POLICE STATION

Ms. Bryant distributed a letter from the Mathew’s Park Tenants Association addressed to Mayor Knopp about the disposition of the old Police Station. Ms. Robinson asked Ms. Falasca to draft a letter from the Commission to Mayor Knopp about the issue.

EAST NORWALK

There was no report this evening.

STAFF TO THE COMMISSION REPORT

NORWALK MUSEUM

Ms. Gunn-Bromley reviewed her written report. She presented stoneware shards that came from the Smith Street site showing examples of different types of pottery that were made in that area.

Ms. Gunn-Bromley also presented a wing decorated pottery pot that was made in Norwalk. It was used in a privy at 217 East 10th Street, New York City.

** MS. FALASCA MOVED TO ACCEPT THE POT
** MS. BRYANT SECONDED

Mr. Bloom said that it would be a valuable piece for the collection.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Ms. Gunn-Bromley presented a Hotchkiss No. 1 stapler dated January 20, 1925. She said that this is different from other No. 1 staplers that they have in the collection. Mr. Bloom said that many years ago a group of Japanese businessmen visited the Museum when it was located on East Avenue. They told him that in Japan, staplers are referred to as Hotchkiss, rather then being called staplers.

** MS. MATHIES MOVED TO ACCEPT THE HOTCHKISS NO. 1 STAPLER
** MS. FALASCA SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Ms. Gunn-Bromley presented 3 – 19th century card mounted photographs of the R & G Corset Factory. They are being donated by Michael and Susan Bromley

** MS. FALASCA MOVED TO ACCEPT THE PHOTOGRAPHS
** MR. BLOOM SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Ms. Gunn Bromley presented 9 photographs. One of which could be from a battery factory in Norwalk.

** MR. BLOOM MOVED TO ACCEPT THE PHOTOGRAPHS WITH THE PROVISION THAT IF THE PHOTOGRAPHS ARE NOT OF A NORWALK SITE THAT THEY BE FORWARDED TO AN APPROPRIATE RECEPIENT
** MR. FALASCA SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Ms. Gunn-Bromley presented a large pair of 19th century tailor’s sheers that came out of a home in Norwalk.

** MS. BRYANT MOVED TO ACCEPT THE TAILOR’S SHEERS
** MS. WALL SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Ms. Gunn-Bromley presented a print of the Green being offered by Ms. Betsy Bain.

** MR. BLOOM MOVED TO ACCEPT THE PRINT
** MS. BOOTH SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

FINANCE REPORT

** MS. BRYANT MOVED TO APPROVE AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $350.00 TO PURCHASE A UPS (UNINTERRUPTED POWER SUPPLY)
** MS. MATHIES SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Ms. Wall asked for clarification about the number of visitors to the Museum during August. Ms. Gunn-Bromley said that she will have volunteers check the numbers. Ms. Wall asked to look at Ms. Gunn-Bromley’s list of visitors for the year so that she can compare that with her numbers.

The Commissioners discussed the handicap door. Ms. Falasca said that she would not vote in favor of a motion where the Curator is not responsible for the collections. She said that it is incumbent upon her to keep that door open. Ms. Gunn-Bromley said that she has security concerns about keeping that door open.

Ms. Mathies suggested looking into a buzzer system. Ms. Robinson pointed out that they need to comply with ADA (American’s with Disability Act)

** MS. FALASCA MOVED THAT THE HANDICAP DOOR WILL REMAIN OPEN IN COMPLIANCE WITH ADA
** MS. BRYANT SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

The Commissioners discussed the shades in the Museum.

** MR. BLOOM MOVED THAT ALL WINDOW SHADES WILL BE OBSERVEDIN THE SAME MANNER – CLOSED WHEN NOT IN USE AND SHOULD BE OPENED IN THE BACK AREA AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH DAY
** MS. MATHIES SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Ms. Bryant said that she received a call from Martha Stewart Living and they are having trouble getting photos. Ms. Gunn-Bromley said that they will come to the Museum and bring their own scanner and scan the photos on a date to be determined.

Ms. Falasca said that Commissioners and Volunteers will be cleaning out the storage room so it can be used for the tag sale. They will do that between now and November as time permits. They will move and inventory the items in that room.

Ms. Booth discussed locating the quilts. Ms. Gunn-Bromley said that they were not here when she arrived. Mr. Bloom said that they were both here on rollers when she arrived. Ms. Gunn-Bromley said that she has a contact name that will help her find the quilt.

A special meeting was scheduled for November 2, 2005 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the budget.

Ms. Wall suggested that the Curator send an e-mail to participants advising them if they need to be present at a meeting.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT (continued)

Ms. Robinson announced that a new commissioner was appointed last night. Her name is Elizabeth Benton and she was involved with the Darien Historical Society. Mr. Marvin Suchoff resigned from the Commission and she will be his replacement.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

CEMETERIES

There was no report this evening.

DEMOLITIONS

19 FAIRVIEW AVENUE

They are putting up a single-family home.

3 BLUE MOUNTAIN ROAD

Seven single-family homes are being built.

41 A DETACHED GARAGE AT FAIR STREET

There was no interest in this building.

1 LOGAN PLACE

This demolition has not been officially announced by the Building Department. Ms. Falasca urged the Commissioners to go and see the home. Ms. Gunn-Bromley will send a letter to the Building Department requesting that they let the Commission know when the developer files for demolition.

2 JEFFERSON STREET

The developer asked the Norwalk Preservation Trust go give them 21 days to work out their plans.

Mr. Krummel left the meeting at 10:35 p.m.

Ms. Wall said that she takes great issue with the processing of demolition requests. If an application is incomplete it should not be deemed filed.

The Commission will send a letter to the Building Department, with a copy to the Mayor, indicating that an application for demolition should not be deemed filed if it is incomplete and does not include all of the necessary forms.

NEW BUSINESS

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

** MS. BRYANT MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT THE COMMISION INVESTIGATE DRAFTING A POSSIBLE DEMOLITION ORDINANCE FOR THE CITY OF NORWALK ORDINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL WITH THE PURPOSE OF CRAFTING A DEMOLITION MORATORIUM FOR A LIMITED PERIOD OF TIME AND FOR LIMITED PROPERTIES
** MS. MATHIES SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

ANY DEMOLTION APPLICATIONS PUBLISHED IN THE HOUR OR RECEIVED BY THE COMMISSION AS OF OCTOBER 21, 2005

There were no other demolition applications.

LMMM/MILL HILL

GATE LODGE ROOF VENTS AND LEAKS

Ms. Bryant said that the vent is too big and has to be fixed. Ms. Gunn-Bromley explained the repairs that have been done and said that she will document the repairs.

Ms. Bryant said that Mr. Loomis is compiling a list of what is needed at the Carriage House.

NHRI

Ms. Mathies distributed booklets “Tools for Historic Preservation” that were printed in the 1970’s by the City of Norwalk.

60 WEST AVENUE

There is no house on that site.

287 RICHARDS AVENUE

Ms. Gunn-Bromley said that Mr. Edgerton called after he put their house back on the market.

MAIN AVE AND WESTPORT AVE DEVELOPMENT

This location is the focus of the next master plan.

NORWALK MUSEUM

There was no report this evening.

NORWALK MUSEUM GIFT SHOP

There was no report this evening.

ROGERS-RITCH-MERRITT HOUSE

There was no report this evening.

OPERATING BUDGET 2005-2006

A meeting was scheduled earlier in the evening to discuss the budget.

OLD BUSINESS

Ms. Bryant said that the website should be up next Friday.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION

Mr. Bloom reported that this was the eighth piece of mail that was not addressed to her or the museum and opened by Ms. Gunn-Bromley. Ms. Gunn-Bromley said that it was a mistake. She does not open all of the mail and does not know who opened the envelope. Mr. Bloom said that it will be reported to Ms. LeTourneau tomorrow along with a copy to the Mayor.

There was no further business and the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 11:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Rosemarie Lombardi
Telesco Secretarial Services

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