NORWALK HISTORICAL COMMISSION

DECEMBER 2, 2003

SPECIAL MEETING

Ms. Rochelle thanked everyone for coming and being interested in what the Norwalk Historical Commission is all about and what it does. She added that the Capital Budget is on the agenda and the Commission will go through it as efficiently as possible tonight.

Ms. Rochelle said that the meeting tonight is not open to the public, therefore there should not be any input from the audience tonight. She said that she welcomes the interest of everyone, and the Commissioners will act appropriately as will the audience.

Ms. Rochelle said that the handicapped access door was locked. Ms. Rochelle said that it would make accessibility difficult but possible.

I. Approval of Capital Budget

Ms. Gunn said that she mailed everyone the worksheet for the Capital Budget.

Ms. Gunn said that it might be the Commission’s wish to rank the projects as they did last year.

Ms. Rochelle said that the Commission would take last year’s budget and move forward.

Ms. Rochelle said that the first item is the Carriage House exterior. She said that there was no leak and the temporary repair on the flashing last year seemed to be holding. Ms. Gunn said that the rot around the trim and soffett was still there. Ms. Rochelle asked Ms. Gunn how bad the rot was. Ms. Gunn said that it was substantial since last year. Ms. Rochelle asked if Ms. Gunn had received an estimate for the roof and if it was in her file. Ms. Gunn said that she talked to several contractors.

Ms. Rochelle asked the Commissioners to follow along with the blank summary page for the budget discussion. She said to change 2001-02 to 2004-05, 02-03 would have to be 05-06 and 06-07 to 07-06 and beyond.

Ms. Rochelle said that the Carriage House is not leaking and should go into the 05-06. She added that the Commission requested $35,000 last year but did not get it. Ms. Rochelle said that in two years it would be more than $35,000 to repair without any written information on the roof. Ms. Bryant asked if the number was based on an estimate. Ms. Gunn said that the roof, trim and gutters would have to be replaced. Ms. Rochelle asked the Commission if $50,000 was more reasonable. It was agreed that the number should be $50,000 for restoration.

Ms. Rochelle said that last year there was a request for an updated sprinkler system at the LWMM for $250,000. She said that Ms. St. Aubyn was here tonight to support this request. Ms. St. Aubyn said that is was extremely important to bring the building up to code compliance. She said that LWMM was receiving more visitors that go to the second floor and for safety reasons and the increased use the sprinkler system should be updated.

Ms. Gunn asked Ms. St. Aubyn if there were any changes in the description. Ms. St. Aubyn responded that it stands accurate.

Ms. Rochelle said moving forward for the year 2005-06 there was $300,000 left.

She said that could take $75,000 for year 06-70 bringing the total allocation to $2,000,000. She said that in 2001 Capital Budget, the request for the LWMM was $2,000,000 but received $1,000,000 for roofs. She added that there was a request of $75,000 for the elevator but was not spent, and a request of $250,000 that was not received. She said that this would total $2,000,000.

Ms. Rochelle asked if there were any questions or discussions.

Cemeteries Restoration

Ms. Rochelle said that the next item would be the cemetery restoration. She said that they requested 10,000 last year but would request that amount again. She said some of the first $10,000 was not all spent last year and not touched the $10,000 form last year. Ms. Rochelle said that the Commission would not request $25,000 as suggested by Ms. Fallon. Ms. Gunn said that now that the Commission has quotes and with the system in place, the Commission could increase the productivity. Ms. Rochelle said that some of the stone that need repair are not matched with the graves and it would be difficult to partner up the stones. Ms. Rochelle said that this condition existed at Pine Island and Brookside. She added that the Commission would not ask for the $25,000 because the total amount would not be spent. Ms. Gunn said that there were recommendations made from the study that was done. Ms. Rochelle responded that some of the restorations are unable to be made because the headstone was made from sandstone, which practically requires redoing the entire stone. Ms. Rochelle said that more investigation was needed. She added that Pine Island has not completely been assessed because of the underbrush.

Ms. Falasca asked what amount would be carried over. Ms. Rochelle said that the request could be $10,000 for the upcoming year and $15,000 in 2005-06 and $15,000 in 2006-07.

Smith Street Buildings

Ms. Rochelle said that last year we asked for $15,000 for the barn repair but it was not funded. Number one priority, animal problem, door health hazard, and liability. Ms. Rochelle asked Ms. Gunn if there was an estimate that the Commission asked for which totaled the repair of $15,000. Ms. Gunn said that there was an estimate for re-sheathing and reconstruction of the barn doors. She added that the stairs were accomplished. Ms. Rochelle asked if that was for a complete gutter system also. Ms. Gunn responded yes.

Ms. Rochelle said that the Smith Street buildings should be the number one request because of the animal pests and the hazard of the doors. Mr. Iannacone said that the sprinkler system should be the number one priority. Ms. Rochelle said that the sprinkler system could certainly be the number one priority.

Ms. Rochelle said that the ranking for this year would be that the first priority is the sprinkler system at LWMM. Ms. Rochelle said that the second priority would be the Smith Street Building with the cemetery project last.

Ms. Rochelle said that the Commission requested $15,000 last year and could push off this request to 2007-08. She added that there were no estimates for that work to date.

Ms. Rochelle said that site work was also needed at Mill Hill along the driveway as well as signage. She added that the request would be in 2005-06. Ms. Rochelle said that there was no line item on the budget for Mill Hill. Ms. Rochelle said that the Smith Street buildings included the barn and jail and should be on one line.

Ms. Gunn asked Ms. Rochelle what description she would like for the Mill Hill buildings. Ms. Rochelle responded that she should draft a description for site work to complete the complex after the construction of the Rogers Ritch Merritt House. She said there would be exterior lighting, a driveway and signage. Ms. Rochelle said that there would be a number of things but the estimate was needed first.

Ms. Booth asked if there would be money left to finish the townhouse. Ms. Rochelle said that the townhouse has no repairs to address and said that there was $25,000 in the Capital budget accessible to the Commission.

Ms. Falasca said that Mill Hill has no budget this year. Ms. Rochelle said that some of the work could go into the Master Plan but that the Master Plan was focusing on Wall Street.

Ms. Rochelle said that $280,000 was requested for 2004-05 and $435,000 for 2005-06, $405,000 for 2006-07 and $50,000 for 2007-08.

** MS. MATHIES SECONDED.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Ms. Rochelle said that the order of priorities were the sprinkler system, the barn at Smith Street, the Carriage House then the Mill Hill site work.

Ms. Rochelle said she wanted to discuss the summary of cash flow. Ms. Rochelle asked Ms. St. Aubyn how would she spend the money. Ms. St. Aubyn responded that she would spread it out over 3 months but it would depend on how the contract was written. She said that there would be an engineering and design study of the system. She added that the cost for the engineering study would be $15,000 in July. Ms. Rochelle said that there are two engineering studies at $35,000. Ms. St. Aubyn said the work would be done when there were fewer visitors to the museum. Ms. Rochelle said that July was a good month to spend the $10,000 for the cemeteries because of the weather. Ms. Gunn said that the $20,000 could be spent on the Smith Street Barn right away too.

Ms. Rochelle said that there was a request from the City clerk’s office regarding the calendar for the upcoming year. Ms. Rochelle said that the City Clerk would like our calendar as soon as possible. Ms. Rochelle and Ms. Gunn read the calendar for the Commission.

Ms. Rochelle said the Commission would hold the meetings at the Norwalk Museum at 7:30pm on the 4^th Wednesday of the month. She said the dates are as follows: January 28^th, February 25^th, March 24^th, April 28^th, May 26^th, June 23^rd, July 28^th, August 25^th, September 22^nd, October 27^th, and December 21^st.

She said that the November meeting has to be changed because of the Thanksgiving holiday. Ms. Rochelle asked the Commission to pick another Wednesday. Ms. Robinson said the seventeenth was a good choice.

** MS. BRYANT SECONDED.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

2. Open Meeting

Ms. Rochelle distributed a letter from Attorney Brey that represents the NMEA union. She said that she received the letter in email this afternoon. Ms. Rochelle said that she would like to make a few points about the email for the record.

This Commission does not intend and never did intend to discuss any conduct. She said that compliance with Commission motions and requests were listed in my letter to Ms. Gunn, which I have distributed. Ms. Rochelle said that Mr. Brey made an accusation in his letter that is uncomfortable to me.

Ms. Rochelle said that regarding the second paragraph of Mr. Brey’s letter, the Commission has not made any accusations, but listed examples of failure to comply or timely failure to comply with approved motions. She added that the Commission has made no accusations whatsoever in the letter that I have written to Ms. Gunn.

Ms. Rochelle said that regarding the third paragraph, Mr. Brey indicates that the necessary union representative could not make the evening meeting. Ms. Rochelle said that the Commission holds its regular meetings in the evening. She said the date in question was November 19^th. Ms. Rochelle said that the union representative had planned to attend the November 19^th meeting but was unable to. Ms. Rochelle said that there is no reason for the Commission to change its regular business hours.

Ms. Rochelle said it was clearly indicated in her letter to Ms. Gunn that no disciplinary action was to be taken or recommended by the Commission. She said we do not maintain the right to hire or fire. Ms. Rochelle said that the Commission has the right to recommend clarification of the performance in relation to the curator’s position and the Historical Commission itself. She said that she strongly disagreed with Mr. Brey’s suggestion that the Commission is going to do something that is not in the realm of jurisdiction.

Ms. Rochelle said that the Commission could discuss this issue. She said that all of the issues listed tonight were in the letter the Commission wrote and have been contained in the minutes for the last 3 ½ years. Ms. Rochelle said these issues are not new and have been discussed thoroughly at prior meetings.

Ms. Rochelle said that the Commission could move toward some possible actions and motions.

Ms. Booth said that in the fourth paragraph of Mr. Brey’s letter it indicates that the curator reports directly to the Mayor. Ms. Booth said this was according to Mayor Knopp’s comments to the media. Ms. Rochelle said she has not seen a newspaper article that states the curator reports to the mayor. Ms. Rochelle said that if the Mayor had made any clarifications, the Commission would not be having these discussions.

Ms. Falasca said that the regular business hours for the Commission are evening hours. She said that it was not right that a union representative could not make an evening meeting. Ms. Rochelle said she agreed because the Commissioner works day hours and is unavailable for day meetings.

Ms. Rochelle said that she does not see it as incumbent that the Commission spends more time on this effort. She said that she has a list of recommendations that she would distribute for everyone’s review and possible actions.

Mr. Bondi asked Ms. Rochelle if he could speak. Ms. Rochelle responded no. Mr. Bondi continued to speak and Ms. Rochelle continued to say no. Mr. Bondi said that as a Councilman he has the privilege to speak. Mr. Bondi said that the press release from the Mayor’s office on January 24, 2003 indicates that the curator is a direct report to the Mayor. Ms. Rochelle asked to have a copy and to give a copy to each Commissioner because no Commissioner has a copy of the press release.

Ms. Booth said the Commission has not received anything from the Mayor since the January letter. She said that the Commission was left in the dark. She also added that the work has not been done on time. Ms. Booth said that the Commission needed more guidance than a newspaper article.

Mr. Bondi said that the Commission should report directly to the Mayor regarding any insubordination for his review and to take care of the situation. Ms. Rochelle said that was exactly what she was going to recommend. She said that there was no intention of this Commission other than suggesting a line of action to the Mayor.

Mr. Bondi said that he believed that the union representatives could only represent during the day. Ms. Rochelle said that she and Mr. Brey had that conversation and Mr. Brey was planning to come to last month’s meeting. Ms Rochelle said that she assured Mr. Brey at that time that the Commission was only going to recommend a line of action to the Mayor. She said she did not understand why Mr. Brey would put such comments in his email today because her letter clearly indicates that the Commission would not entertain any type of disciplinary action.

Mr. Bondi said that items such as the keys to the museum should go before the Land Use Committee before keys are given to anyone. Ms. Rochelle said that the Historical Commission is listed equally on the lease of the museum and is equally responsible for the building.

She said that the Commission should have keys to this building. Ms. Rochelle said she does not agree that the key issue is a Land Use and Building Management issues. Mr. Bondi said that the Land Use and Building Management owns the building. Ms. Rochelle said that the Commission in entitled to a key because it is a lessee. Ms. Booth asked Ms. Gunn who else has a key to the museum or building. Ms. Gunn said that she and the other city employee person has a key.

Ms. Booth said that the Commission passed a budget with 85% of that budget going toward the museum as part of salary and rent. Ms. Booth asked why the budget comes under the umbrella of the Commission but the person that administers that part of the budget doesn’t. Mr. Bondi responded that this is the way that the City Charter is set up. Ms. Rochelle said that the Commission should not be handling these issues with Mr. Bondi. She said that she admires his help but believes that the Commission should not be in dialog with Mr. Bondi about these issues. She said that she would appreciate it if the Land Use and Building Management would be their asset in any of this reconciliation and endeavor. Ms. Rochelle said that this is not a public hearing tonight and cannot make it a public hearing. Mr. Bondi said he understood. He also said that Bill Krummel would address these items through the Land Use and Building Management Committee.

Ms. Falasca said speaking for her and fellow Commissioners that she is very sad tonight to have to be at a special meeting to discuss the job performance of the staff person. She said that the Commission has only asked for compliance with the job description that is written so that we, as a Commission, may responsibly fulfill their mandate. Ms. Falasca said that since this has not happened and since the historic properties are suffering as a result, we are here tonight to resolve this ongoing problem as soon as possible. She said that they feel committed to the taxpayers of Norwalk for whom we serve and by whom we have been charged to preserve Norwalk’s historic metro. Ms. Bryant said that she would like to reinforce what Ms. Falasca said. Ms. Bryant said that as a new Commissioner it was very frustrating to be at a standstill and to be able to make motions and for nothing to happen was very sad.

Ms. Rochelle said that she would do whatever the Commission would like to do. Ms. Falasca said that everyone knows what the points are and she would like to go to the actions.

Ms. Robinson said that when we are sworn in as Commissioners, we accept a charge and give up our own time to make meetings and to act as Commissioners.

She said it is terribly frustrating to accept that charge and then come to meetings and not to have follow-through with that charge but actually thwarted from doing work as a Commissioner. Ms. Robinson said that everyone is aware of the issues and has read everything here more than once. She added that she felt the Commission was ready to move ahead and make motions.

Mr. Bloom said that he would like to see a directive from the Mayor to this Commission about his position. He said that a press release is not a directive to a city body that was appointed. Mr. Bloom said that the Commission was not supposed to find out information in the press.

Ms. Rochelle said that Ms. Gunn gave her copies of Section 67A-1 of the Code of the City of Norwalk for everyone tonight.

Ms. Rochelle said that she has the press release but cannot figure out what it was saying. She said that the Commission should not belabor an issue that is a year old when we are already belaboring issues that are 3 ½ years old.

Mr. Iannacone said the press release said that the position reports to the mayor pursuant to the prior administration. Ms. Rochelle said that Mr. Brey was not a very good lawyer if that was what he was alluding to.

** MS. ROBINSON SECONDED.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

** MS. BRYANT SECONDED.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

b. Designation of Norwalk Museum as historic site under the control and direction of the Historical Commission pursuant to Chapter 57A-4A

Ms. Rochelle said that the ordinance of the Historical Commission was set up in 1975. She added that in August of 1975 a public hearing was held to decide what properties would be listed specifically as under the jurisdiction of the Norwalk Historical Commission. Ms. Rochelle said that the Council adopted the list of properties, which included the Lockwood House Museum, LWMM buildings, the four cemeteries and the Mill Hill buildings and the Ward house, which was demolished. She added that this was pursuant to 57A, which is the ordinance and paragraph 4A is the particular paragraph of our historic sites. Ms. Rochelle said that typically historical sites are not listed in the ordinance because things change over the years. She said the Gate Lodge was added as a specific historical site in June of 1978 because the traffic department no longer needed it. Ms. Falasca said that the list was getting updated. Ms. Rochelle said that the Commission was asking for an amended list of properties. She said that the approval would go to Land Use and Building Management for approval of subsequent change of site list. She added that the Common Council approved the name change but the site list has to be updated.

** MS. FALASCA SECONDED.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Ms. Rochelle said that this has nothing to do with the interpretation of the job description. She said it was merely to remedy the name change of the museum.

Mr. Bloom said that he has another item to bring before the Commission. He said that based on minutes that have been received and based on actions that we have not seen happen and to avoid the several incidences of budgeted funds that were debited for non-approved items by the curator. The Common Council, the citizens of Norwalk as a whole expects the Commission to have tight control on all expenses. He added that there is a budget process of asking everyone to take cuts which was basically for operating expenses. Mr. Bloom said therefore he was proposing that all payment vouchers except for utility expenses have two signatures. He said that he would like to see immediately that all payment vouchers with the exception of the utility expenses, be required to have two signatures, the Chairman, or designee, and the curator.

He said that notice of such motion be sent to the Comptroller, Finance, Corporation Council and the Mayor.

Ms Falasca said that funds for repairs should not be used to buy memberships.

She added that we need the money for specific things that come up.

Ms. Rochelle said that the actions tonight can be put into place immediately and be taken out at any point in time as well. She said that it was whatever the Commission wanted to do. Ms. Rochelle said that checks and balances have not been put in place for 3 ½ years and this was an immediate way to put this in motion. She said that this would be sent to the comptroller’s office and going forward everything except utility expenses would need two signatures.

** MS. FALASCA SECONDED.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Ms. Rochelle asked if there were any other discussions or motions. Ms. Rochelle said on a positive note that the display window downstairs looks very nice. Ms. Gunn said that was one of the previous motions from the Commission. Ms. Rochelle said that it was a previous request.

III. NEXT MEETING OF THE COMMISSION: DECEMBER 17, 2003 AT 7:30PM, NORWALK MUSEUM CONFERENCE ROOM.

** MR. IANNACONE MOVED TO ADJOURN.

** MS. MATHIES SECONDED.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Ms. Rochelle said that she hoped tonight’s meeting was not a waste of time for anyone.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Jean Lane for

Telesco Secretarial Services

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