JANUARY 31, 2007

ATTENDANCE: Marilyn Robinson, Chair; Peter Bondi; John Kurtzman;
William Krummel; Kathryn Martino; Debbie Mathies; David Pak; Gail Wall; Charles Yost; Erik Chander (7:10 p.m.);
Charles Lashley (7:45 p.m.)

STAFF: Absent

GUESTS: Ralph Bloom; Munro Johnson

CALL TO ORDER

Ms. Robinson called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.

GUEST PRESENTER – WALL STREET NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT

Mr. Munro Johnson gave the Commissioners a power point presentation about the Wall Street National Register Historic District.

Mr. Chander arrived at 7:10 p.m.

Mr. Johnson described the tax credits that would be available to help fund the project. He said that the total district encompasses over five acres and the period represented is approximately between 1854 and 1955.

Mr. Lashley arrived at 7:45 p.m.

Mr. Krummel asked about Mill Hill. Mr. Johnson said that he believed that it was part of the planning process, but that it has its own historic district. Mr. Bloom pointed out that the Town House property is part of the National Historical District.

Mr. Krummel said that after the pottery factory was demolished, there were discussions about creating a center for showing the pottery industry in Norwalk. He asked if there was any consideration for that type of program. Mr. Johnson replied that he did not believe the National Register Historic District was involved in that type of programming; however, based on the plans presented by the developer there are drawings showing historical exhibitions.

Mr. Johnson said that all of the Commerce Street property owners are interested, but this can only be approved with 51% approval.

Mr. Krummel said that the Norwalk River is a great feature and is an essential feature of the area. Ms. Mathies added that it is part of the historic story. Mr. Johnson said that the bridge that crosses the river is a contributing property within the district. Mr. Bondi said that the River is going to play a big part in the redevelopment of the area.

Ms. Wall suggested that the first step would be in identifying the buildings first and then developing a plan. Mr. Johnson agreed. Mr. Krummel asked if there is any review of architectural changes. Mr. Johnson said that there was design review. He said that more meetings will take place with various groups. The revisions to the plan will be made based upon feedback from those various groups.

Mr. Yost asked if it was their intention to approach property owners before the State does. Mr. Johnson said that they suggest educating the property owners before the State approaches them.

It was agreed that the Commissioners would provide their comments to the Chair who will forward those comments to Mr. Johnson.

INTRODUCTION AND WELCOME OF NEW COMMISSIONERS

Ms. Robinson asked the commissioners to introduce themselves to the newly appointed commissioners. The newly appointed commissioners, Mr. Bondi, Mr. Yost, Mr. Pak, Mr. Lashley and Mr. Chandler in turn introduced themselves.

FINANCE REPORT

Ms. Robinson explained the budget process. Mr. Martino said that she went before the Planning Commission last night to address the Capital Budget. Mr. Bondi said that he wished he had been informed about that meeting. He said that he went to City Hall and researched the Historical Commission’s budget and noted that there are funds still in the budget that have not been spent. Ms. Robinson explained the reason the money was not spent. She explained the purchasing process and said that money has been earmarked to be spent, but they have not been able to make those purchases.

NORWALK MUSEUM REPORT

Ms. Wall explained that she is new to this position. She said that the Friends are keeping the Museum open to the public. The Curator is absent until further notice. She added that due to her absence, she has to go through and review a large box of mail.

Mr. Bloom read Mr. Scott Gibson’s Norwalk Museum Report, dated January 24, 2007. Mr. Bloom explained the relationship between the Friends and the Norwalk Museum building to the new commissioners. He said that Plaza Realty are hired by the partnership to provide general maintenance for the building.

Mr. Krummel said that he was very impressed by what the Friends are doing to keep the building open.

** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED TO THANK THE FRIENDS OF THE NORWALK MUSEUM FOR KEEPING THE NORWALK MUSEUM ALIVE DURING THESE CRITICAL TIMES
** MR. CHANDER SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Ms. Wall suggested that the new commissioners may wish to visit the Museum. Mr. Bloom added that he is there all the time and if anyone wishes to visit, to give him a call.

Ms. Robinson said that she received a letter and plans regarding 59 Bluff Avenue in Rowayton. They are raising the structure to meet FEMA requirements. Mr. Bloom said that the renovations bring the building closer to the original structure.

BUILDING COMMITTEE

Mr. Kurtzman said that he checked the Gate Lodge and the squirrels were gone. He said that he will go there tomorrow to inspect the chimney. Mr. Kurtzman shared photographs he had taken showing the deterioration of certain areas at the Lockwood Mathews Mansion.

Ms. Robinson explained that the Historical Commission has a relationship with the Mansion; this is the body they go through to request funds. Ms. Robinson suggested that Mr. Kurtzman send those photographs to the Mansion’s Board of Trustees.

Ms. Wall said that the Mansion uses the Historical Commission as a pass through vehicle for funding. There is money in their budget that is designated for a sprinkler system, but they realized that there were other issues that needed to be addressed.

Mr. Bondi said that prior to the sprinkler system being approved in 1999, there had been a request for a preservation plan, but that was never moved forward.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY REPORT

Ms. Wall explained that she is responsible for this report to the Historical Commission. They are tenants of the Mill Hill property and the lease requires that they make a report to the Commission.

The Historical Society received a grant for $7,000 which will pay the heating, electric and water. Currently Mill Hill is closed because of the cost to heat the building during the winter. They are working on an electrical upgrade to include electrical service to the building. They are currently waiting for the arrival of the $50,000 grant that was obtained by Mr. Duff. The check was inadvertently mailed to Foxboro Condominium.

Ms. Robinson explained that with historic buildings, they need to have a contractor who is cognizant of how to repair those types of buildings. It takes time to find qualified vendors.

NEW BUSINESS – REPORT OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Mr. Mathies presented the following slate for nomination:

Ms. Robinson - Chair
Ms. Wall – Vice Chair

** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED TO NOMINATE MS. ROBINSON, CHAIR AND MS. WALL VICE CHAIR
MS. WALL SECONDED

** MR. PAK MOVED TO NOMINATE MR. BONDI CHAIR
** MR. LASHLEY SECONDED

** MOTION TO NOMINATE MS. ROBINSON CHAIR FAILED WITH FIVE (5) IN FAVOR (MR. KRUMMEL; MS. MATHIES; MS. ROBINSON; MS. MARTINO AND MS. WALL) AND SIX (6) IN OPPOSITION (MR. YOST; MR. BONDI; MR. PAK; MR. KURTZMAN; MR. LASHLEY AND MR. CHANDER)

Mr. Bondi informed Mr. Krummel that he was not permitted to vote because his term had expired. Mr. Krummel responded and said that his term was not due to expire until November 2007. Mr. Bondi suggested that Mr. Krummel speak with Mr. Nolin, the City’ Corporation Counsel. Mr. Bondi and Ms. Wall will serve as Chair and Vice Chair respectively.

** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED TO THANK MS. ROBINSON FOR HER SERVICE TO THE COMMISSION
** MS. MATHIES SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Ms. Robinson said that it has been a pleasure to serve as Chair. She said that they were able to get a lot of work done. She thanked all of the Commissioners for their dedication and hard work. The next meeting will take place on February 28th.

There was no further business and the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Rosemarie Lombardi
Telesco Secretarial Services

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