FEBRUARY 28, 2007

ATTENDANCE: Peter Bondi, Chair; Eric Chandler; William Krummel;
John Kurtzman; David Park; Marilyn Robinson; Gail Wall

EXCUSED ABSENCE: Kathryn Martino Debbie Mathies

STAFF: Absent

GUESTS: Ralph Bloom, Friends of the Norwalk Museum;
Chris Cooke, LMMM

CALL TO ORDER

Mr. Bondi called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m.

ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES – JANUARY 31, 2007

The following corrections were made to the minutes:

Correct the spelling of Mr. Park’s name and Mr. Chandler’s name throughout.

The following addition was added to the minutes:

Mr. Park asked if 51% of the building owners need to “buy in” to the concept of a historical district. What is the sentiment of the owners? Mr. Johnson replied that he knew of one building owner in favor, but did not know what the sentiment was.

** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES AS CORRECTED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

Mr. Bondi read a written statement noting that the last month had been a learning experience for him. He said that he reached out to Todd Bryant, President of the Preservation Trust and to Ed Cozzette, President of the Historical Society. He has met with various City officials and said that they are working with him regarding some questions and issues that have come up.

Ms. Robinson pointed out that all of the people Mr. Bondi spoke with have all been people that have helped in the past. Mr. Krummel asked about the status of the Curator. Mr. Bondi replied that he did not know; neither Personnel nor the Curator have contacted him.

Mr. Krummel asked how things were running in the absence of the Curator. Mr. Bondi said that he has been collecting the mail from Mr. Bloom on a weekly basis. He has talked to the Mayor about hiring a part time person. Mr. Krummel asked how the Curator was doing. Mr. Bondi said that he has not heard anything about her.

Mr. Robinson said that during her last conversation with the Personnel Director he said that she would be evaluated by her doctor on February 15th and let her know her status. Ms. Wall asked Mr. Bondi if he could meet with the Personnel Director to determine her status. She said that the Curator was well paid and the work of the Curator must go on. Ms. Wall suggested transferring a City employee to fill in for the Curator. Mr. Bondi said that he would meet with the Personnel Director.

REPORTS: BOARDS

Friends of the Norwalk Museum

Mr. Bloom reported that three researchers were in today. He said that he and Mr. Bondi went through the office, but could not locate the key. In addition, after going through the stack of mail on the desk, he found a rent check from August and a donation from Brandman’s from December. He found the monthly statement from Plaza Realty from December and an open bill from November. Mr. Bloom said he did not know whether or not that bill had been paid.

Mr. Bloom distributed the Friend’s Report dated February 28, 2007, that was prepared by Scott Gibson, President of the Friends of the Norwalk Museum.

Mr. Bloom pointed out that there were 200 visitors for the opening of the Our Town retrospective exhibit on February 25th.

In response to Ms. Wall’s question, Mr. Bloom said that Ms. Wall, Ms. Robinson, Ms. Falasca and he were key holders. Ms. Robinson said that she would turn her key over to Mr. Bondi.

Norwalk Historical Society

Ms. Wall explained that they were closed during the winter. Ms. Wall distributed a copy of Town House Times, winter/spring 2007.

Ms. Wall said that the Historical Society submitted a letter of support for the Redevelopment Agency’s grant submission for a Preserve America Grant for Mill Hill.
Ms. Wall reported that the Historical Society met with Mr. Bondi to go over outstanding projects and proposals.

LOCKWOOD MATHEWS MANSION MUSEUM REPORT

Mr. Cooke reported that the Mansion was semi-closed during the winter because it is very cold in the Mansion. He said that they can not do any upgrades to the building, until they develop a master plan. Once that is in place and approved by the Board, they will be ready to move forward. Mr. Cooke said that the basement could be outfitted as a presentation auditorium.

Mr. Cooke said that the developments planned for both sides of the main corridor are tremendous. Mr. Park said that he was very impressed when he recently stopped in to the Museum and received a guided tour.

Mr. Cooke said that a train exhibit will be opening soon in the space that had displayed the music boxes.

Mr. Kurtzman pointed out that there is maintenance required for the exterior of the Mansion and presented photographs. Mr. Bondi suggested meeting with Mr. Cooke to determine if they can identify funding sources to pay for the repairs.

Finance

There was no report.

Building Committee

Mr. Kurtzman reported that he obtained two estimates to repair the chimney at the Gate Lodge. Under inspection it was shown that the bricks are no longer supporting the chimney. Mr. Kurtzman said that the squirrels were back. Ms. Wall suggested placing mothballs there to remove the rodents. Mr. Kurtzman and Mr. Bondi will meet to discuss what repairs need to be done.

Mr. Kurtzman said that the keys were found for the Smith Street Jail. Mr. Bondi said that he talked to the Corporation Counsel who said that the Commission needed to make a motion to authorize the Corporation Counsel to evict Mr. Winfield and Mr. Dowd for abandonment and non payment of rent.

Ms. Wall suggested that Mr. Bondi double check to be sure the checks have not been received. She explained that the rent checks may have been lost in the office and would like to give the tenants the opportunity to present their cancelled checks.

Mr. Bondi said that Mr. Dowd’s apartment has been cleared out. It was decided that Mr. Kurtzman and Mr. Bondi would go to the unit tomorrow with a Police Officer. Mr. Bloom suggested that they bring a camera for documentation purposes. Ms. Wall suggested that the rent payment address be moved to City Hall.

** MS. ROBINSON MOVED TO TABLE THE ITEM TO THE NEXT MEETING
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

Cemetery Report

Mr. Bondi said that an Eagle Scout wants to catalogue the names at the Brookside Cemetery and will invite him to a meeting to present his project to the Commissioners.

One of the large tombstones at Pine Island Cemetery has toppled over.

Rogers Ritch Merritt House

Mr. Krummel provided a brief chronology of the home. He said that there is no clear record to identify the age of the house, but it is believed to have been built between 1795 and 1810. He said that after the house was dismantled in 2002, the City provided $150,000 for the restoration of the home. He said that in 2006 Steve Belitz was hired to provide an estimate of the cost to re-assemble the home. He determined that it would cost $1.1 million to re-assemble and finish the home. Mr. Krummel presented drawings of the home.

Ms. Wall explained that last summer a group met to discuss the matter. In the end they decided that Mill Hill Park was a gateway to the DiScala project. They would like to see a restoration of the entire site and hope to be successful in bringing the Rogers Ritch Merritt House museum to fruition.

Mr. Bloom pointed out that the site is there and has been approved for over 35 years. He said that he would like to see all of the historical properties lived in and cared for as private property.

Mr. Krummel said that they have to agree on what they want to do and then have a plan to go out and raise money. Mr. Bondi said that they need to address the buildings on Mill Hill that are already standing. He said that they are going to need funding to maintain those structures. Mr. Parks said that there is at least $100,000 work of repairs that need to be done at Mill Hill. He suggested asking the Common Council to re-allocate $150,000 from the Rogers Ritch Merritt House to do repairs at Mill Hill. Ms. Wall suggested that the City’s new Grant Writer may be able to help with obtaining a grant.

NEW BUSINESS

Ms. Wall reported that in a meeting with CCNA, it was announced that there were plans to remove some of the graves at Pine Island. Mr. Bondi said that he would be sure that the Commission has input. Mr. Krummel said that the Common Council has not approved that work in connection with the Reed Putnam development. Mr. Bloom said that it is still an open cemetery and that burials are still taking place. He talked about the original boundaries of the cemetery and how graves were covered during the construction of the turnpike.

OLD BUSINESS

Ms. Robinson asked about the response to Mr. Johnson’s presentation. Mr. Bondi said that according to Peter Nolin, the Corporation Counsel, the Commission did not fall under the jurisdiction to provide input. Mr. Bondi distributed a copy of Mr. Nolin’s opinion. Ms. Robinson said that she disagreed with his opinion. Ms. Wall said that she found Mr. Nolin’s opinion culturally challenged and intellectually insulting. Ms. Robinson asked Mr. Bondi to tell Mr. Johnson that the Corporation Counsel said that the Commission was unable to have an opinion.

** MS. WALL MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE CHAIRMAN TO SUBMIT A LETTER TO THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ALONG WITH A COPY OF THE CITY OF NORWALK CORPORATION COUNSEL’S NOVEMBER 7, 2006 OPINION LETTER STATING THE AUTHORITY OF THE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
** MR. CHANDLER SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED WITH ONE (1) VOTE IN OPPOSITION (MS. ROBINSON)

Committee Assignments

The Commissioners discussed committee assignments. It was decided that committee members will continue to work on their various committees and decisions will be made at the next meeting.

Meeting Dates

The Committee will continue to meet at 7:00 p.m.

** MR. CHANDLER MOVED TO ACCEPT THE 2007 SCHEDULE OF MEETING DATES
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

There was no further business and the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 9:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Rosemarie Lombardi
Telesco Secretarial Services

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