JUNE 28, 2006

ATTENDANCE: Marilyn Robinson, Chair; Ralph Bloom; Betty Booth;
Marija Bryant; Carol Ann Falasca; Liz Fenton; John Kurtzman; Kathryn Martino; Debbie Mathies; Gail Wall

STAFF: Absent

Ms. Robinson called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. Ms. Robinson said that Ms. Gunn-Bromley was not in work this morning, but when she talked to her at 1:30 p.m., she said that she had been at City Hall to speak with Mayor Moccia. Mayor Moccia informed her that now that Sara LeTourneau has resigned, she will be reporting to him.

Ms. Robinson explained that Mayor Knopp decided Ms. Gunn-Bromley would report to Ms. LeTourneau for personnel issues, such as time sheets, etc., but that she would report to Ms. Robinson for vacation and or other absence requests. Ms. Robinson said that the agenda for today’s meeting had not been filed with the City Clerk’s office before she went on vacation.

Ms. Robinson said that she was concerned about holding a meeting and not complying with FOI. After checking with the Mayor’s office, Ms. Robinson was told that as long as the agenda was filed today, they could have an official meeting. Ms. Robinson called the Museum and asked Ms. Gunn-Bromley to create and file and agenda for tonight’s meeting.

ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES – MAY 24, 2006

The following corrections were made to the minutes:

Under B – Friends of the Norwalk Museum – change workers to scouts and change more porous to less porous.

Under C – Norwalk Historical Society - should read - showing Piro Paving Company equipment stored and parked near the barn.

** MS. BRYANT MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES AS CORRECTED
** MS. FENTON SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED WITH ONE (1) ABSTENTION (MS. BOOTH)

CHAIRWOMAN’S REPORT

REMARKS

Ms. Falasca pointed out that Ms. Gunn-Bromley was scheduled to be back at work today. Ms. Robinson said that she went to physical therapy and then to City Hall. She said that she did not feel well and asked to go home.

Ms. Robinson talked about the presentation on the proposed demolition moratorium. She acknowledged the great effort put forth by Ms. Bryant. The Ordinance Committee had decided to hold a public hearing on this issue.

Mayor Moccia suggested that the Commission may consider changing the age of the houses from 50 to 75 years old. Ms. Robinson said that she clarified that the home must meet certain criteria as well as being 50 years old.

Ms. Bryant offered to e-mail a copy of the criteria to everyone. She said that the demolition moratorium came about through discussion with Ms. Mathies and Ms. Wall. Ms. Wall said that they need to get the public to understand that 50 years is a state statute. Ms. Bryant said that the public hearing is scheduled for July 18th. She added that it will be important to rally the neighborhoods.

REPORTS: BOARDS

LOCKWOOD MATHEWS MANSION

There was no one present from the Lockwood Mathews Museum this evening.

FRIENDS OF THE NORWALK MUSEUM

Mr. Bloom reported that they have been busy in the shop. They will be carrying Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls as well as Norwalk maps.

They had a bit of vandalism. Two windows were broken on two successive nights. It looks like someone deliberately kicked in the windows. Mr. Bloom notified Plaza Realty and they will install better glass.

The common area has not been pained in 10 years. There are items in the way. The air conditioning was frozen into a block of ice and left on, when it should have been turned off. All of the exit and emergency lights have been replaced.

Mr. Bloom said that there will be no coverage in the building from July 1 – July 4.

Scott Gibson was elected to be President of the Friends of the Norwalk Museum.

Colt just graduated. His next project is to scrub the bricks in the courtyard. He made his deadline for his Eagle Scout badge.

Ms. Falasca said that she asked Ms. Gunn-Bromley to update the answering machine message and the website. Ms. Robinson said that the correct procedure was not followed. Nothing should be changed without the permission of the Commission through Ms. Bryant. Ms. Robinson said that she was happy that it was done, but it has to be done following proper procedures.

Ms. Wall pointed out that there is a Norwalk Museum.com website that is a one-page write up about the Museum.

** MS. WALL MOVED THAT THE NORWALK CORPORATION COUNSEL INVESTIGATE THE NORWALK MUSEUM.COM WEBSITE

Ms. Mathies said that anyone can buy a domain name. Ms. Wall said that it was odd that there is another Norwalk Museum website.

** MS. FALASCA SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

NORWALK HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Ms. Wall said that the National Bell Ringing Ceremony will take place on July 4th. The Smith Street situation has been resolved. The Jail tenants have been using the downstairs to store debris and it needs to be removed. Mr. Bloom said that the tenant has been told to remove the debris.

** MS. WALL MOVED THAT THE CORPORATION COUNSEL WILL NOTIFY BOTH TENANTS IN THE SMITH STREET JAIL TO REMOVE THEIR DEBRIS AND BELONGS FROM THE LOWER LEVEL OF THE BUILDING
** MS. BRYANT SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Ms. Wall said that the pottery exhibit has been postponed. The Rogers-Fitch-Merritt house meeting went well. She said that she will create a report.

Ms. Robinson thanked the Commissioners for the flowers they sent to her when her Mother passed away suddenly.

STAFF TO THE COMMISSION REPORT

There was no report this evening.

REPORTS – SUB COMMITTEES

FINANCE REPORT

Ms. Fenton did not give a report this evening.

DEMOLITIONS

14 LINDEN STREET, 2FR 21DDD 7/7/06

Ms. Falasca reported that this was a large two-family home that was built in 1914. She said that it was not worth pursuing.

33 GLENWOOD AVENUE

Ms. Falasca said that it is a small Cape Cod that had become derelict.

25 PUTNAM AVENUE

Ms. Falasca said that this home is the last one in the Reed-Putnam development, but is totally derelict.

12 POINT ROAD – WILSON POINT

Ms. Falasca said that this Tudor style home, built in 1930 is in good condition. The Committee agreed to put a 90-day delay on the demolition.

** MS. BRYANT MOVED TO IMPOSE A 90-DAY DELAY ON THE DEMOLITION OF THE HOME ON 12 POINT ROAD AND TO INVITE THE DEVELOPER, PETER GLAZER TO THE NEXT MEETING
** MS. MATHIES SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Ms. Falasca said that there are demolition signs on two homes on Maple Street that belong to Mr. Seligson. Mr. Krummel told her that when he asked Mr. Seligson if he had a demolition permit, Mr. Seligson turned his back on him.

OLD SAUGATUCK ROAD

Ms. Falasca said that while doing research on the home, she discovered that the original Mr. Cavanaugh had a family member who went to Rome and became a Priest at the age of 55. Pope John XXIII was rumored to have visited the family in that home.

Ms. Robinson said that Mayor Moccia suggested that the Commission write a letter to Mr. Seligson thanking him for letting them park the trailer on his property.

18 CENTER STREET GARAGE ONLY, 21DDD 6/21/06

This item was not discussed.

24 RIVERVIEW DRIVE, SF 21 6/23/06

This item was not discussed.

ANY DEMOLITION APPLICATIONS PUBLISHED IN THE HOUR OR RECEIVED BY THE COMMISSION AS OF JUNE 28TH, 2006

NHRI COMMITTEE

HOMEOWNER’S TAX CREDIT BROCHURE REPORT
HOMEOWNER’S TAX CREDIT WORKSHOP REPORT

Ms. Mathies distributed copies of the Brochure. Ms. Robinson thanked her for all of her hard work in creating the brochure.

FODER FARM HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMITTEE

Ms. Wall gave the Committee a brief update.

NORWALK MUSEUM COMMITTEE

MERCHANT’S COURT FLOOR STATUS REPORT

Mr. Bloom said that the floor will be done in a few weeks.

MOTION TO ACCEPT CARPETING FOR GIFT SHOP AND ADJACENT TWO ROOMS FRIENDS OF THE NORWALK MUSEUMS FOR LAND USE AND BUILDING MANAGEMENT REVIEW

This item was not discussed.

SILVERMINE ARTISTS GROUP

Ms. Falasca said that this group is not associated with the Silvermine Arts Guild. They have been in existence for two years and asked if they could use the Museum for an exhibit. They are very flexible about the date and would have about 25 participants.

The show would be called “Silvermine Art Colony – 100 Years Later”. Mr. Bloom suggested that the Museum could get a portion of the sales and that none of the pictures leave the Museum until the end of the show.

** MR. KURTZMAN MOVED TO APPROVE THE USE OF THE MUSEUM SPACE FOR THE SILVERMINE ARTS GROUP EXHIBIT, PENDING LEGAL REVIEW AND TO AUTHORIZE MS. FALASCA TO ASK THEM IF THEY WOULD BE INTERESTED IN SELLING THEIR PAINTINGS WITH A PORTION OF THEIR SALES TO GO TO THE NORWALK MUSEUM
** MS. BOOTH SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

NM GIFT SHOP COMMITTEE

Ms. Robinson welcomed Ms. Booth back.

Ms. Booth reported that as of the last two weeks in June, the Norwalk Museum Gift Shop Room has finally been made completely available to “The Friends”.

“The Friends” have been busy reorganizing the Gift Shop showcases and merchandise. The Grand Re-opening should take place soon.

BUILDING COMMITTEE

Ms. Bryant said that she will call Ms. Gunn-Bromley to be sure that she secures the funds.

Ms. Falasca said that the Gate Lodge trim needs to be painted. Ms. Bryant said that is in the Capital budget for next year. Ms. Bryant said that they discovered that Mill Hill has termites.

APPROVAL OF EXPENDITURE OF REMAINING BUILDING FUNDS IN THE 2005-2006 OPERATING BUDGET

There was no action on this item.

RODGERS-RITCH-MERRITT HOUSE COMMITTEE

There was no report.

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Ms. Mathies said that she was contacted by Mr. David Westmorland who is doing restorations at the cemetery at St. Paul’s Church. He wants to install a flag pole in the same spot that one stood in the 1800’s, but wanted to know if the Historical Commission needs to provide oversight.

Ms. Wall said that he would need to go before Planning and Zoning with that request. Ms. Wall added that he should provide supporting evidence of the existence of that flag pole.

Ms. Mathies said that the Management Committee drew up staffing recommendations. She said that about a year ago, the Committee was created to review staffing at the Museum. The Committee met and determined that staffing the Museum with one staff member and volunteers is not a workable situation.

The Committee also determined that the current job description for the Curator, which was written in the 1970’s is obsolete.

The Committee therefore recommends defunding the curator position and that the dollar amount for the current position be used to fund two positions – Historic Administrative Manager – full time and for a Museum Collections Coordinator – part time.

** MS. MATHIES MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION ACCEPT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND FORWARD THEIR REPORT TO THE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL
** MS. FENTON SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

OLD BUSINESS

DEMOLITION ORDINANCE REVIEW REPORT

The Ordinance Committee meeting is scheduled for July 8, 2006.

NEW BUSINESS – ACTIONS

ANY OTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION

Ms. Falasca distributed photographs of a donation of shards. She said that 8 garbage pails of shards were donated to the Museum by Mr. Asadoman. She said that there are only a few good pieces in that donation. She said that there is no room to store those garbage pails. Ms. Falasca said that she is sure that there are some items of value in there, but asked what they were going to do with the rest.

Ms. Wall asked how the shards arrived at the Museum. Ms. Falasca said that Terry Scott came here on a Sunday, two weeks to put up the sandwich boards. When he asked where Ms. Gunn-Bromley was, he was told that she was in the Merchant’s Court. Mr. Peter Bondi came out of the Pottery Room and then came a red truck. Mr. Bloom said that a few days later he discovered the bins downstairs.

Ms. Falasca said that there was a lack of honesty there. Ms. Wall suggested that the Commission invite Mr. Asadoman to meet with some of the Commissioners to get to the bottom of this.

Ms. Wall wanted to know where the pieces came from and expressed concern that they could be contaminated. She also wanted to know if he received permission to dig.

Ms. Robinson said that they are grappling with the question of whether the Commission accepted all of this. She said that they need to go back to the beginning and have someone present to the Commission and tell them what they need to know. She said that they do not need to accept the donation just because it is here.

Ms. Bryant said that she wants to know the origins of the shards. She suggested inviting Professor Ernie Weegan to look at the shards. Ms. Wall suggested inviting both Professor Weegan and Mr. Asodoman to meet with the Commission and answer any questions.

Ms. Robinson said that the Curator never explained to her that the donation was for a thousand pounds of shards. She said that she had no idea.

Mr. Bloom explained that when the Museum accepts a gift, they have to give the donor a receipt and the donor has to give an evaluation of the gift.

The Commission agreed that they have not accepted the gift in its present form. If they are to accept the gift, they will have to re-vote after the gift has been examined by Professor Weegan for historical significance.

Ms. Robnson said that the Mayor said that the Museum will be getting four interns this summer. She said that she heard that the Curator wants to use the interns to sort through the shards. Ms. Robinson said that she is concerned about the safety of the interns if they are given that job.

Ms. Wall said that the duty of the interns last year was to act as greeters. Ms. Gunn-Bromley did not have any specific projects for them.

Ms. Fenton asked if any of the interns could go to the Lockwood Mathews Mansion or to Mill Hill. Ms. Falasca asked if they could borrow the Assessor’s book from the City and enter data. Ms. Robinson said that the Commission needs to meet with the Curator and find out if she has plans for the interns.

Mr. Bloom suggested that two of the interns could be trained as monitors at the Lockwood Mathews Mansion. Ms. Mathies asked if they could go to the cemetery and take pictures and measurements of the stones and enter that information into the computer.

Ms. Robinson will talk to Ms. Gunn-Bromley about the suggestion made for the interns. Mr. Bloom pointed out that the cemetery project could be an on-going project for a number of years.

NEXT MEETING OF THE HISTORICAL COMMISSION – WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, 2006

ADJOURNMENT

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

Respectfully submitted,

Rosemarie Lombardi
Telesco Secretarial Services

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