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| NORWALK HISTORICAL COMMISSION MINUTES |
CITY OF NORWALK
HISTORICAL COMMISSION
JANUARY 23, 2008
ATTENDANCE: Peter Bondi, Chair; Eric Chandler; LaTanya Langley;
John Kurtzman; David Park; Kathryn Martino; Deborah Mathies; Gail Wall; Charles
Yost
GUESTS: Marilyn Robinson, former Historical Commission Chair; Robert Koch, The Hour; Todd Bryant, Norwalk Preservation Trust
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Bondi called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
WELCOME TO NEW COMMISSIONERS – La Tanya Langley and Joseph Dilorio
Mr. Bondi welcomed Ms. Langley to the Commission. He announced that Mr. Dilorio’s father passed away last evening.
NORWALK PRESERVATION TRUST
A. REQUEST FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED DEMOLITION OF THE HOUSES AT 2 SUMMER STREET; 8, 16 ½, 18 AND 20 WEST MAIN STREET
Mr. Bryant said that he was here tonight to request a public hearing on the proposed demolition of the homes on Summer Street and West Main Street. He explained the original development that was supported by the Preservation Trust, which came out of a demolition delay. He said that the developer was unable to make money from the project, and sold the project with the plan in place. The new consultant decided to default to the classic developer practice.
Mr. Bryant presented photographs of the homes and said that they are well kept and fully occupied. Each building is affordable housing, which would not happen if the property were developed using a new plan. The homes were built during the turn of the last century.
** MR. CHANDLER MOVED TO SCHEDULE A PUBLIC HEARING
** MS. WALL SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
The public hearing was scheduled for February 13th. Ms. Mathies noted that this is a lovely historic neighborhood. There has been talk that it is an historic middle class Black community with roots in the Civil War.
Ms. Wall said that it was critical that Norwalk address the issue of not permitting a demolition without a re-build plan for the site. Mr. Kurtzman said that 1 West Main Street is the oldest house on West Main Street having been built in the 1700’s.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES – DECEMBER 16, 2007
Mr. Bondi noted that the meeting needed to be adjourned since there was no quorum present.
** MR. PARK MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING OF DECEMBER 16, 2007
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
The following corrections were made to the minutes:
Page 1: Correct date to December 19, 2007 and add David Park to attendance.
Page 3: Under Norwalk Museum, first paragraph, third sentence should read –
Mr. Chandler questioned if this …..
Last sentence should read – He suggested letting the Corporation Counsel and
Risk Management….
** MR. YOST MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES AS CORRECTED
** MOTION PASSED WITH ONE (1) ABSTENTION (MS. LANGLEY)
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Mr. Bondi read his written report dated January 23, 2008.
Ms. Wall asked if the Commissioners could see the final job description for the Handyman position. Mr. Bondi said that he would mail it to the Commissioners.
REPORTS – BOARDS:
NORWALK HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Ms. Wall distributed the written report and said that she also had the Friend’s report. Mr. Bondi said that he would not accept the Friend’s report because that was not on the agenda. He said that they had not been at the Museum in weeks. Ms. Wall said that the Commissioners should see the report. Mr. Bondi replied that the Friends were not present and it was not on the agenda. Ms. Wall said that the Friends submitted their report through her. Ms. Wall asked Mr. Bondi if he was willing to hear the report. He said that he was not. Ms. Wall told Mr. Bondi that he was showing a conflict of interest between the Curator and the Friends and his personal relationship with the Curator. Mr. Bondi told Ms. Wall that she was out of order and that next she would be out of the room.
** MR. CHANDLER MOVED TO ACCEPT THE NORWALK HISTORICAL SOCIETY REPORT
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
LOCKWOOD MATHEWS MANSION
There was no report.
REPORTS – SUB-COMMITTEES:
FINANCE
A. APPROVE THE CHANGES TO THE CAPITAL BUDGET REQUESTS
Ms. Martino explained that after meeting with Ms. Gunn-Bromley and Mr. Park they felt they had a better chance of being granted the funding if their requested amounts were reduced.
B. CHANGE THE AMOUNT OF REQUEST FOR THE HISTORIC RESOURCE INVENTORY REQUEST FROM $40,000 TO $20,000
** MS. LANGLEY MOVED TO APPROVE THE ABOVE ITEM
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
C. CHANGE THE AMOUNT OF REQUEST FOR THE PRESERVATION PLAN IN LIGHT OF GRANT APPLICATION FROM $40,000 TO $20,000
** MR. PARK MOVED TO APPROVE THE ABOVE ITEM
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
BUILDING COMMITTEE
Mr. Kurtzman reported that the lower section of the Fitch House has been completed. He asked the Commissioners if they would want to use a more muted color rather than the bright yellow. Mr. Park said that there was a process to choose that color.
The steps have been completed. The larger stones have been moved but some have been left that are adjacent to the roadway. Mr. Bondi added that the exhibit lighting project RFP has been sent out.
CEMETERY REPORTS
Mr. Park reported that they should be receiving the costs for the restoration of the cemetery on Comstock Hill.
NORWALK MUSEUM
REVIEW DRAFT FOR APPROVAL OF NORWALK MUSEUM PROCEDURES MANUAL, JANUARY 2008
Mr. Chandler reported that he met with Ms. Gunn-Bromley, Mr. Bondi and Mr. Yost last week to review the Management Policy and Code of Ethics. He said that the document is in everyone’s packets.
** MR. CHANDLER MOVED TO ACCEPT THE NORWALK MUSEUM POLICY AND CODE OF ETHICS
Ms. Wall suggested tabling this item until everyone has had an opportunity to review it. Mr. Bondi said that it was in the packet.
** MR. YOST SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED WITH TWO (2) ABSTENTIONS (MS. MARTINO AND MS. MATHIES) AND
ONE (1) VOTE IN OPPOSITION (MS. WALL)
Mr. Bondi thanked Mr. Chandler, Mr. Yost and Ms. Gunn-Bromley for their hard work on this document.
** MR. CHANDLER MOVED TO RECONSIDER THE VOTE OF JULY 2007 TO ACCEPT THE FRIEND’S PROPOSAL
Mr. Chandler read the motion and said that there was no reason for the Friends to manage the Museum. Ms. Wall said that the operational agreement is standing at the Land Use and Building Management Committee and they are forwarding it to the Corporation Counsel. Mr. Chandler said that they felt that this policy was sufficient. Under this policy, the Friends would work under the supervision of the Curator. He said that the original Friend’s agreement made no mention of the Curator and when he pointed that out the Curator’s position was added.
Ms. Wall said that the operational policy for the Friends is different from this document. Ms. Mathies pointed out that the Friends have been associated with the Museum for 30 years. Mr. Bondi said that this management policy was created to run the Museum.
** MOTION PASSED WITH TWO (2) VOTES IN OPPOSITION (MS. WALL AND MS. MATHIES) AND TWO (2) ABSTENTIONS (MS. MATHIES AND MS. LANGLEY)
Ms. Mathies asked if the Museum would be open to the public. Mr. Bondi said
that it would be except for the weekends when the Curator was not here or on
the Curator’s regular days off
MUSEUM CURATOR’S AND ASSISTANT TO THE HISTORICAL COMMISSION REPORT
The written report was distributed.
** MR. PARK MOVED TO ACCEPT THE REPORT
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
OLD BUSINESS
Mr. Bondi reported that he received a response from Corporation Counsel Robert Maslan regarding the ADA issue. He read Mr. Maslan’s respond to the Commissioners and said that they were told to keep doing what they have been doing. Mr. Bondi will send copies to the Commissioners.
NEW BUSINESS
A. APPROVAL OF LIGHTING REPAIRS TO THE TOWN HOUSE AND FLAG POLE TO COME OUT OF CAPITAL BUDGET ACCOUNT 09036310 5777 C0276
** MR. YOST MOVED TO APPROVE THIS ITEM
** MOTION PASSED WITH ONE (1) ABSTENTION (MS. WALL)
B. REVIEW FODOR FARM DEED RESTRICTIONS
Mr. Bondi distributed a draft RFP that was sent by Mr. Lo. This will be discussed at the next meeting of the Land Use and Building Management Committee.
Ms. Wall suggested that the Historical Commission receive funding to hire an Historian to review the drawings. Mr. Yost suggested that the cost could be borne by the buyer.
The Commissioners discussed and made revisions to the wording in the RFP. Ms. Wall asked Mr. Bondi when he received a copy of the deed restriction. Mr. Bondi said that he had just received it. Ms. Wall said that in the minutes of the Land Use and Building Management Committee it was stated that Mr. Lo would submit the deed restriction to Mr. Bondi in December. Mr. Bondi reiterated that he just received it.
C. NOMINATION OF HISTORIC COMMISSION CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN
Mr. Bondi asked the Commissioners for nominations.
Mr. Chandler nominated Mr. Park for Chairman. He said that he has been doing a great job on the Cemetery Committee.
** MR. CHANDLER MOVED TO NOMINATE MR. PARK FOR CHAIRMAN
** MR. YOST SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED WITH TWO (2) VOTES IN OPPOSITION (MS. WALL AND MS. MATHIES)
Mr. Park thanked Mr. Bondi for his hard work as Chairman over the last year. He said that he admired his dedication and accomplishments.
Mr. Park nominated Mr. Bondi for Vice Chairman.
** MR. PARK MOVED TO NOMINATE MR. BONDI AS VICE CHAIRMAN
** MR. YOST SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED WITH TWO (2) VOTES IN OPPOSITION (MS. WALL AND MS. MATHIES)
D. APPROVAL OF 2008 HISTORIC COMMISSION MEETING SCHEDULE
Mr. Bondi said that the schedule is the same as always, except for the months of November and December.
** MS. MARTINO MOVED TO ACCEPT THE 2008 MEETING SCHEDULE
** MR. PARK SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
ADJOURNMENT
** MR. KURTZMAN MOVED TO ADJOURN
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
There was no further business and the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rosemarie Lombardi
Telesco Secretarial Services
Norwalk Museum Report to the Historical Commission
For January 23, 2008 meeting
• The building committee is working with the Historical Society to determine the design of the door replacement. The current door is delaminating and must be replaced.
• The easternmost chimney on the Town House has been re-pointed and sealed. John Giunta General Contractor donated their time and services to re-point and seal the westernmost chimney at no cost to the City or the Norwalk Historical Society.
• The cut stones and rough stones were moved off the parking lot at Mill Hill and flattened down. It is planned that they will be covered over with leaves and dirt until they are needed.
• The problems concerning the Conference Room painting have been straightened out and the room will be painted as soon as it can be scheduled.
• The electrical RFP is ready to go out to bid. It will be advertised on the 22nd. The bid conference is scheduled for Jan. 29th and the deadline for submissions is February 5.
• The Capital Budget review with the Finance and Planning & Zoning Departments was held on Jan. 10th. The public hearing with the P&Z Land Use Commission is planned for Jan. 30 at 7 P.M.
• The public hearing for the Capital Budget
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• The Norwalk Museum was closed from Dec. 23 until Jan. 3 when I was able to arrange for volunteers to staff the Museum. The Museum has been open everyday from Jan. 4th.
• The Friends of the Norwalk Museums have decided to refrain from volunteering for a period of time.
• The Sprinkler System for the Norwalk Museum building received its quarterly check up and passed without any problems or adjustments.
• The pigeons are staying away from the Museum building.
• Interest in using the Archives continues to build.
• The IT Department has reconnected our computer to the MUNIS system so that we can now track POs and other financial records. They have also “cleaned” our computers so that the available storage capacity was increased for the moment. We can resume our program to scan and store collection photographs smaller than 8 ½ x 17” for the Master Museum Database.
• The accession records and Master Database continue to grow.
• When possible work has continued to proceed in the Archives. Primarily this has been in the form of filing, organization and improving archival storage of artifacts.
• I continue to receive, and answer phone and email research inquiries on a daily basis.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Gunn Bromley, Curator
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