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| NORWALK HISTORICAL COMMISSION MINUTES |
MARCH 28, 2007
ATTENDANCE: Peter Bondi, Chairman; Charles Yost; David Park; Charles Lashley;
Gail Wall; Marilyn Robinson; Doug Hempstead; Debbie Mathies (7:10).
OTHERS: Scott Gibson, President, Friends of the Norwalk Museums; Tod Bryant.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by the Chairman.
REPORTS: BOARDS
FRIENDS OF THE NORWALK MUSEUMS
Mr. Gibson read his written report:
3/28/07 Report to the Norwalk Historical Commission
. The Friends are continuing their progress at the museum.
. In the Merchants' Court 5 out of the 6 windows have been changed.
. All burned out spot lights in the Merchants' Court windows have been replaced with new spot lights.
. The Nash Store window has been changed to display the museum's Chinese ceramics.
. The Nash Store has been cleaned up inside. All of the china & porcelain have been taken off of the floor and stored on the shelves.
. All of the ceramic pieces have been numbered and signage added for the public to read.
. All of the Silver in the Nash Store has been polished and is sparkling.
. The Cavanaugh Store window has been changed to display Men's spring hats 'ill1d all of the previous items have been put away.
. The sign age has been added to the Glendenning store's Norwalk furniture display, and the pieces have been numbered to correspond to it.
. The Friends are continuing to keep the museum open to the public.
;II We have started to clear out some of the newspapers in the front office and volunteer room.
. New merchandise for the shop has been purchased.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES – FEBRUARY 28, 2007
The following correction was made: On page 1, Mr. Lashley’s name was added
to “Excused
Absence”.
** MR. YOST MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS CORRECTED.
** MOTION PASSED WITH ONE ABSTENTION (MR. HEMPSTEAD).
NORWALK PRESERVATION TRUST – TOD BRYANT
Mr. Bryant said their mission is to be advocates and resources for historic preservation in Norwalk. They try to provide information and technical assistance. Education, raising the awareness of the importance of historic preservation in Norwalk is what Norwalk is all about. The battle to save the Lockwood Mathews Museum was a watershed, the battle to save SONO was very important and the Norwalk Inn is an important battle. The other part of their mission is advocacy, working within the political process at the town and state level is very important. Their goal is for the good of the city. They have twelve directors who are selfless in their time and commitment. They have approximately 100 members and are starting a membership drive and fundraising campaign. Ms. Mathies did the work on the manual for tax credits. They have worked on Mr. Kraus’s project (3 buildings on Main Street), the Winthrop House in Rowayton and on Elmcrest Terrace. They also monitor demolitions. The most significant project coming up is the Diane Knitwear building. Probably only 10% or less of the demolitions are protested. Re Diane Knitwear, it is a 19th century industrial building that has gone through some changes. It has serious environmental issues. There could be Federal Brownfields money in Redevelopment accounts. Also, a state tax credit can be combined with a federal tax credit for the conversion of industrial to residential use.
Mr. Bryant asked that this Commission hold a public hearing. This is an important part of Norwalk’s heritage. The address is 85 Martin Luther King Drive. It is 90 days from March 8th. A public hearing should be held sooner than later. He will continue to try to contact the owner. The building has to be on the State Register; he will look into this.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
The Chairman said that Stepping Stones wants to have a monthly meeting of the representatives of the grounds. They met last month and discussed demolition of the police station, which everyone favors, and leaving it as open space.
The Chairman met with the new grants coordinator and looked at the Preserve America grant in the amount of $45,000. They should hear next month. They talked about a capital improvement grant, but the Lockwood Mathews Mansion did get this, in the amount of $200,000.
The Chairman said that bills are being paid weekly. Over the past few weekends, he took Mr. Lashley and Mr. Chandler to tour the cemeteries. He met with IT and updated the web site. The Operating Budget hearing took place and he pushed for more money for building maintenance, which he thinks will increase from $10,000 to $20,000.
Ms. Wall asked about the situation with the Curator. The Chairman said he will meet with the Personnel Director next week. Tomorrow is the deadline of her 3-month sick leave. If she comes back tomorrow, her position will be open for her. Mrs. Robinson said that the Commission would like to be informed; the Chairman will e-mail everyone after he meets with the Personnel Director.
REPORTS: BOARDS (CONT’D)
NORWALK HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Ms. Wall read her report:
Norwalk Historical Society Report - March 28, 2007
Mill Hill Historic Park
Mill Hill is closed for the winter season.
Town House
Electrical service upgrades under way.
Little Red School House
The NHS Little Red School House Program begins in April and runs thru early
June 2007. We have fourteen (14) Norwalk 3R1 grade classes scheduled to participate
in the program this year. We may have a new school system participating in the
program; tl Greenwich school system has inquired and may take part in the program
as well.
Respectfully submitted, Gail Wall
Vice president
Norwalk Historical Society
LOCKWOOD MATHEWS MANSION
Mr. Hempstead said they did not renew the contract of the current director,
and the Board is being sued. In the interim, Sheldon Gerarden will be brought
in for the next few months. A contract for a movie signed by the city will keep
the Mansion closed until mid-May. The state has given a sizeable grant and money
for utility bills for the next 12 months. They are in dire financial straits.
There is a grant for fire suppression system. The Board will be looking for
a new curator. They are attempting to win back some of the volunteers who have
left.
Ms. Wall noted that they did not know about a movie production until they read it in the newspaper. The Chairman has written Corporation Counsel to look at the contract. Mr. Hempstead said it had just been handed to the Council at their meeting last night. The Mansion Board agreed to this contract because it would provide them with income.
Discussion took place on the Paramount contract. Ms. Wall said not making this Commission part of the process is not in the best interests of the City and the Mansion. The Chairman said it is important to safeguard this building. Mr. Bryant said someone from the City should be on the set every day; Mr. Hempstead will look into this.
REPORTS: SUBCOMMITTEES
FINANCE
There was no report.
BUILDING COMMITTEE:
GATE HOUSE CHIMNEY REPAIRS – HOLE REPAIRS
Mr. Kurtzman told the Chairman that chimney repairs at the Gate House could cost more than anticipated. The City Engineer and masons looked at it, and it may have to be built from the attic up at a cost of $13,000-$15,000. Once they have their estimates, he will go to the City for an emergency repair. The squirrels are gone and the holes have been repaired.
SMITH STREET REPAIRS
The rent has been paid by Richard Winfield, the new tenant. Val’s utilities have been switched over to this Commission – he has left. The Parks & Recreation department has cleaned up the weeds. Val’s apartment needs major work (carpeting, paint, bathtub, kitchen, etc).
Don’s mail has been stopped. There is no forwarding address. The unit has been abandoned. The Chairman will have the locks changed. Mr. Hempstead suggested sending a certified letter, even if to the old address. He also suggested taking pictures of the inside of the unit.
Discussion took place on cleaning out the downstairs area. The Chairman will look into having the city clean up the abandoned unit.
MILL HILL REPAIR ESTIMATES
The Chairman distributed and reviewed the estimates.
OLD BUSINESS
The Chairman said that the demolition hearing needs to be scheduled for 85 Martin Luther King Drive (Diane Knitwear).
** MRS. ROBINSON MOVED TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
** MS. WALL MOVED TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON MAY 2ND AT 7:30 P.M. AT CITY
HALL IN A ROOM TO BE DETERMINED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
REPORTS: SUBCOMMITTEES (CONT’D)
BUILDING COMMITTEE
MILL HILL REPAIR ESTIMATES
The Chairman reviewed the list. An estimate of $5,065 was sent to him from David Westmoreland. $14,000 will be allocated in the capital budget this year and $1,200 still remains. The Chairman reviewed all of the estimates and discussion took place.
Mr. Park noted that there is $150,000 sitting for the Rogers Ritch Merrit House.
** MR. PARK MOVED TO REAPPROPRIATE $100,000 FROM THE ROGERS RITCH MERRIT HOUSE CAPITAL TO THE MILL HILL COMPLEX TO INCLUDE THE CEMETERY AND FITCH HOUSE.
Ms. Wall said there is $50,000 in Public Works from the Foxboro project and $20,000 in the Fitch project. She said that she wants a guarantee that t his commission will not lose this money by reappropriating it. Both Mr. Hempstead and Mr. Yost explained that this money would not be gone. Ms. Wall said she wants to see the relevant statute.
** MOTION FAILED WITH FOUR VOTES IN OPPOSITION (MRS. ROBINSON, MS. WALL, MS. MATHIES, MR. LASHLEY).
The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Hamilton telling the Chairman the process of reappropriating funds. The Chairman should write a letter which will go to the Planning Commission, the Board of Estimate & Taxation and the Common Council.
Mr. Yost said if they don’t get this money, the commissioners who voted against this proposal should suggest where they can get it from.
Extensive discussion took place.
Ms. Wall said she would like to table this until the full commission is present. She noted the possibility of obtaining more grant funds. Mr. Yost asked what would realistically change in the next five years.
Discussion took place on the $50,000 Duff grant. Mr. Hempstead will look into this. The money was sent incorrectly to Foxboro.
Mr. Hempstead suggested that the Chairman speak to the Chairmen of the Planning Commission and the Board of Estimate to see if there are any objections on these bodies to reallocating this money.
Ms. Wall said she would like better education. This administration has not been in the best interests of the Historical Commission.
The Chairman said that the Fitch Law House needs attention. The commissioners reviewed the estimates. Mr. Hempstead suggested they get new estimates, noting that they are at least six months old. Ms. Wall said Homeline does a great job. She also pointed out that they were doing committee work and that the bids were not comparable.
The Chairman said that TDS Homeline was the low bidder. They had been approved previously. The Chairman will move forward.
** MR. PARK MOVED TO HAVE TDS HOMELINE DO THE WORK ON THE FITCH LAW OFFICE
FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $20,235.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
CEMETERY REPORTS
Mr. Park said he took a tour of the four city-owned cemeteries. The Brookside Cemetery needs a spring cleanup. He attended the Third Taxing District annual meeting and met with Chris Burr of the East Norwalk Cemetery Association, who also gave him a tour as well as the names of people who do this type of work. Mr. Park with meet with Ms. Mathies.
Ms. Mathies had a check from the Sellecks, who have a world-wide family organization and a reunion every two years. The check was in the amount of $140.
BOY SCOUTS – ROTC
The Chairman said that Mr. Westmoreland is ready to go when t6he weather breaks. There is an eagle scout who wants to do a projecting; he will be on next month’s agenda.
CRESCENT ROAD
The Chairman said that Mr. Westmoreland said it would take 3-4 years to move the stones. This is being done for Spinaker, the property developer. Ms. Wall suggested that this commission communicate with Spinaker.
OLD BUSINESS
There was no old business.
NEW BUSINESS (CONT’D)
The Chairman said that Robert Lupinacci wants to donate hat molds to the museum, which the Chairman showed to the commissioners.
** MR. HEMPSTEAD MOVED TO ACCEPT THE DONATION INTO THE COLLECTION.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
No action was taken.
ADJOURNMENT
** MR. YOST MOVED TO ADJOURN.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cheryl Telesco
Telesco Secretarial Services
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