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| NORWALK HISTORICAL COMMISSION MINUTES |
NOVEMBER 16, 2005
ATTENDANCE: Marilyn Robinson, Chair; Carol Ann Falasca, Vice Chair;
Ralph Bloom; Betty Booth; Liz Fenton; Debbie Mathies;
Marija Bryant (7:50 p.m.)
STAFF: Susan Gunn-Bromley, Curator; Marjorie St. Aubyn, Lockwood Mathews Mansion Museum
GUESTS: Michael Bromley; James Walker, The Hour; Dick Ventry, NHS Exhibit Designer
Ms. Robinson called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. and introduced the new Commissioner, Ms. Fenton.
CHAIRWOMAN’S REPORT
Ms. Robinson suggested starting the meetings at 7:00 p.m. and placing the action
items at the beginning of the agenda, followed by the reports and discussion
items. The Commissioners agreed.
REPORTS – TO HISTORICAL COMMISSION
LOCKWOOD MATHEWS MANSION MUSEUM
Ms. St. Aubyn distributed and reviewed the Lockwood Mathews Mansion Museum newsletter. She said that as a part of their thesis, a group of students from the University of Pennsylvania are doing research on Herter furniture. They will come to the Museum and provide dating on the furniture.
The Billiards Room floor repairs are taking place. The floor was oiled today and will be buffed tomorrow.
Ms. Gail Ballentine, the journalist on staff is responsible for public relations.
Ms. St. Aubyn said she is asking for an increase for heating in this year’s budget. She asked about getting the rates that are charged to the City for gas purchases. Ms. Wall suggested that she contact Alan Lo or Mike Sgobbo at City Hall.
Ms. Bryant arrived at 7:50 p.m.
COALITION OF NORWALK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS
Ms. Bryant said that Mayor Elect, Moccia met with the Coalition of Norwalk Neighborhood Associations and came out strongly in favor of demolishing the old Police Station.
NEW BUSINESS
DEMOLITION ORDINANCE WITH POSSIBLE RESOLUTION ADDRESSED TO THE COMMON COUNCIL FOR ORDINANCE REVISION
Ms. Bryant distributed a draft resolution requesting a temporary moratorium on the demolition of historic structures. The Commissioners reviewed and made revisions to the document. The revised document will be sent to the Mayor Elect and the Ordinance Committee of the Norwalk Common Council.
** MS. BRYANT MOVED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION AS CORRECTED WITH THE INTENT TO
SEND THE DOCUMENT TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE NORWALK
COMMON COUNCIL AND TO MAYOR ALEX KNOPP AND MAYOR ELECT MOCCIA
** MS. FALASCA SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
STAFF TO THE COMMISSION REPORT
OPERATING BUDGET 2006-2007
The Commissioners discussed the Operating Budget at length and made revisions to the budget requests. They decided to include $20,000 in the budget for building repairs. Ms. Gunn-Bromley will submit the budget request along with the backup rationale to the City of Norwalk tomorrow.
Ms. Gunn-Bromley suggested adding a part time assistant at $10.00 per hour for 20 hours a week. At 20 hours per week, this position does not qualify for benefits. She said that for the last several years, there was a part time assistant, whose position was funded through donations to the City. They had a wide spectrum of responsibilities. Ms. Booth asked if the ordinance would have to be changed to add this position. Mr. Bloom said that he had a part time assistant, but not for the last nine years.
Ms. Falasca said that the Friends keep the museum open. Ms. Gunn-Bromley said that the Commission has changed her job tremendously and they have been extremely unhappy with her work. Ms. Robinson said that she did not think the City would be happy adding an assistant, and that this matter needs to be discussed further.
Ms. Fenton noted that other museums utilize their volunteers. They need to
look at what needs to be done and the necessary skill sets.
Ms. Gunn-Bromley explained that the Museum is not open on City holidays and
she has not heard who will open the Museum during the Thanksgiving holiday.
The Commissioners continued discussing and making revisions to the budget.
REPORTS – TO HISTORICAL COMMISSION – (continued)
NORWALK HISTORICAL SOCIETY
** MS. WALL MOVED THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION:
WHEREAS, THE NORWALK HISTORICAL SOCIETY UNDERTOOK TO COMMEMORATE THE LOSS OF LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT TOOK PLACE IN THE 1955 FLOOD IN THE CITY OF NORWALK AND ALSO TO COMMEMORATE THE HEROISM OF CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS AND EFFORTS TO HELP; AND
WHEREAS, THE NORWALK HISTORICAL SOCIETY SOUGHT AND RECEIVED PERMISSION FROM THE NORWALK HISTORIC COMMISSION TO USE THE PREMISES OF THE GALLERY IN THE NORWALK MUSEUM TO DISPLAY THE EXHIBIT; AND
WHEREAS, THE NORWALK HISTORICAL SOCIETY RESEARCHED, PLANNED AND BUILT THE POPULAR EXHIBIT, “ANGRY WATERS”; AND
WHEREAS, THE NORWALK HISTORICAL SOCIETY REPAINTED THE AFORE-MENTIONED GALLERY AND MADE OTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ROOM INCLUDING TO THE LIGHTING; AND
WHEREAS, THE EXHIBIT WAS DESIGNED TO BE DISPLAYED IN SUCH A WAY AS TO PREVENT DAMAGE AND MINIMIZE IMPACT TO THE NORWALK MUSEUM GALLERY IN WHICH IT IS HUNG; AND
WHEREAS, THE NORWALK HISTORICAL SOCIETY MADE IT CLEAR TO ALL PARTIES THAT INSTALLATION AND TAKEDOWN OF “ANGRY WATERS: COULD TAKE PLACE ONCE, AND ONCE ONLY, DUE TO THE FRAGILITY AND DIFFICULTY OF INSTALLATION;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT IN THE ABSENCE OF ANY PLANNED EXHIBIT TO SUCCEED “ANGRY WATERS”, THIS EXHIBIT REMAIN IN PLACE UNTIL JANUARY 2006, OR UNTIL WHATEVER DATE THE HISTORIC COMMISSION DEEMS APPROPRIATE AND TIMELY TO THE SCHEDULE OF EXHIBITION FOR THE NORWALK MUSEUM
** MS. BRYANT SECONDED
Mr. Bloom noted that for all of the work that went into creating the exhibit, it deserves to be exhibited for a longer period of time. He suggested that the “Angry Waters” exhibit could be re-hung at City Hall, outside of the Redevelopment area.
Mr. Ventry, the exhibit designer said that the exhibit was never designed to be moved. He said that to move it to the Redevelopment office, would involve cost and time. Mr. Bloom said that he believed that Redevelopment would fund the move.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
CAPITAL BUDGET 2006-2007
A special meeting will be scheduled to discuss the Capital budget.
DEMOLITIONS
1 LOGAN PLACE
Ms. Falasca described the property and called it an untouched treasure. Ms. Wall said that the entire street needs to be deemed an historic district.
A public hearing was scheduled for December 7, 2005 in Room 101 at City Hall.
69 FILLOW STREET
Ms. Falasca said that this is an 1870’s farm house.
** MS. MATHIES MOVED TO PUT A 90-DAY DEMOLITION DELAY ON 69 FILLOW STREET
** MS. FALASCA SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
11 WEST MAIN STREET
Ms. Bryant said that the developer has a new plan which saves five of the six homes.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 21, 2005
There was no action taken.
OCTOBER 26, 2005
There was no action taken.
REPORTS – TO HISTORICAL COMMISSION – (continued)
COMMITTEE REPORTS
NORWALK MUSEUM GIFT SHOP
Ms. Booth reported that the gift Shop Committee met with the Friends of the Norwalk Museum and submitted 10 proposals for the operation of the Gift Shop.
** MS. BOOTH MOVED TO ACCEPT THE PROPOSALS AS DISTRIBUTED
** MS. MATHIES SECONDED
Ms. Wall cautioned Ms. Booth about how to manage the space in the gift shop because the City leases the space from the Norwalk Museum Partnership. Ms. Booth said that the Friends have had permission to run the gift shop since the 1970’s. Ms. Wall suggested that a percentage of the profits be turned over to the Norwalk Museum. Mr. Bloom said that the Friends have more money invested in this building than anyone else. The Common Council has not imposed those conditions.
Ms. Wall said that someone in the Legal Department at City Hall needs to look at the proposal for the Gift Shop. Ms. Bryant said that she was uncomfortable with the proposal. Ms. Robinson said that she will send the proposal to the Law Department for review.
** MS. WALL MOVED TO ADD AN AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION - “SUBJECT TO APPROVAL
BY THE CITY OF NORWALK LEGAL DEPARTMENT”
** MOTION PASSED WITH ONE (1) ABSTENTION (MR. BLOOM)
CEMETERIES
There was no report.
MATHEWS PARK/MILL HILL BUILDINGS
Smith Street
The Commissioners agreed not to increase the rent.
NHRI
There was no report.
NORWALK MUSEUM
There was no report.
ROGERS-RITCH-MERRITT HOUSE
There was no report.
OLD BUSINESS
ANY OTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION
There was no further business and the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 11:20
p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rosemarie Lombardi
Telesco Secretarial Services
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