|
|
|
| NORWALK HISTORICAL COMMISSION MINUTES |
February 25, 2004
ATTENDANCE: Marilyn Robinson, Chairperson; Ralph Bloom; Glenn Iannaccone; Deborah Mathies; Carol Ann Falasca; Betty Booth
OTHERS: John Hawley, Gilbane Construction; Valerio Giadone, Architect for Schoenhardt; Margaret Rodney, Schoenhardt; Michael Bromley
GUESTS: Anne Searles; Terry Tylo; George Bolton; Ed Vollmer, Joe Robidoux, Martin Stewart, all of Friends of Norwalk Museum
STAFF: Susan Gunn
Absent
Excused: Kathleen Morrow; Marjorie St. Aubyn, LMMM; Diane Rochelle
Ms. Robinson called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m.
II. SOUTH NORWALK BRANCH LIBRARY
PRESENTATION OF PLANS FOR RENOVATION
Margaret Rodney and Valerio Giadone from Schoenhardt Architect gave a presentation on the plan for renovation of the South Norwalk Library. Mr. Giadone gave each Commission member a copy of the presentation for their review.
** MS. FALASCA MOVED TO ENDORSE THE PROPOSAL AS PRESENTED.
** MS. MATHIES SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES-January 28, 2004
Corrections:
Page 1, Betsy Jewell and Michael Bromley should be listed under ‘other’ for attendance.
Page 2, Mr. Kirker should be listed as Mr. Crooker.
Page 2, Mr. Scobo should be listed as Mr. Sgobo.
Correct Mr. Iannaccone’s name to have two c’s throughout the minutes.
Page 3, 6th paragraph, last sentence should read ‘Brookside Cemetery not listed on the National or State Registry’.
Page 9, 6th line from the bottom of the page, change the word ‘voted’ to nominated’.
Page 9, third paragraph, 1st sentence, remove ‘for the song’ and insert ‘concerning Thomas Fitch’.
Page 9, third paragraph, 4th sentence, remove ‘the artist’ and insert ‘Thomas Fitch’.
Page 10, first paragraph, 1st line, insert ‘are Norwalk Preservation trust…
Page 8, 5th paragraph, 2nd line, remove ‘homes’ and insert ’art groups’.
Page 8, last line, remove ‘at this time’ and replace with ‘until the weather improves’.
Page 4, last paragraph, 3rd sentence from the end, remove ‘made’ and replace with ‘probably decorated’.
REPORTS - HISTORICAL COMMISSION
a. Lockwood Mathews Mansion
Ms. Falasca said that the Veranda floor has been done and looks great. She said that the brown trim was peeling on all the windows and should be repainted.
Ms. Gunn said that the windows do not fall under the repairs with the roof category.
Ms. Booth suggested that someone send a report for LMMM in the absence of Marjorie St. Aubyn.
** MS. FALASCA MOVED TO BRING TO THE ATTENTION OF MS. ST. AUBYN TO EXPLORE THE PROJECT OF SCRAPING AND PAINTING OF RENOVATION OF WINDOWS AND TRIM.
** MS. BOOTH SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
b. Mathews Park Buildings
1. Gate Lodge Repair
Ms. Gunn said that she asked Steve from the Tourism Department about the leak at the Gate Lodge. She said that there are mold problems but a leak could not be found. Ms. Gunn said that the Tourism Council was working with Alan Lo with the leak and mold problem.
Ms. Booth asked who would pay for repairs. Ms. Gunn said she would request a copy of the lease from the Law Department to research who was responsible for the repairs.
Discussion took place on the history of the buildings within the park. Mr. Bloom said that there were restrictions because of state funding. He said that the judge ruled that the existing buildings be acknowledged and to stay until demolition time. Ms. Robinson asked if the Commission would like to say something official. Ms. Falasca said that it was premature to do so.
c. Mill Hill Buildings
1. Norwalk Historical Society Report
2. Mill Hill Buildings
Ms. Wall said that the report would be short tonight. She said that the windows are still the same. Ms. Wall said that the contractor was not interested in doing the repair and suggested getting a handyman to repair the windows. Ms. Falasca asked what could be done to get the windows repaired. Ms. Gunn said that she received an updated quote from Homeline. She said that she emailed everyone asking if there was anyone else that should be researched. Ms. Falasca suggested getting the repair done before the opening. Ms. Gunn said that on one window of the five the sash was practically gone. She said that if the Commission would consider sanding down the sash and repainting it, hanging a curtain in front of it, we could put the money into the more severely damaged windows. Ms. Gunn said that there was $3,600 in the account for repairs. Ms. Falasca said that this has been going on for a year and it should be resolved now.
Ms. Wall said that the opening is scheduled for May 2, 2004. Ms. Wall added that the re-enactment would take place in July.
Ms. Robinson asked Ms. Gunn to have quotes at the next meeting.
Ms. Gunn said that she had not received the quote even though she was told it was sent to her. She said she would get another copy from the lobsterman and email everyone with it. Ms. Gunn said that the Commission could decide after reviewing the quote.
Ms. Robinson said that there was no report tonight.
E. Rogers Ritch Merritt House
Mr. Bloom said that fundraising was involved in this project and should have a subcommittee and the general public could be invited to participate. He said that way this item does not always have to be discussed at each meeting. Ms. Robinson said that was a good idea. She added that an update could be given from the subcommittee on the project. Ms. Robinson asked Mr. Bloom and Ms. Falasca to be on the subcommittee. Ms. Robinson suggested asking Ms. Rochelle to be on the subcommittee also.
f. Norwalk Museum
Ms. Gunn said that attendance has picked up. She said that researchers and scholars have visited also. Ms. Gunn said that a bookcase that came from the Baird Estate at 31 Flax Hill Road was a purchase/donation from the Ambler Trust. She added that the house at 31 Flax Hill Road was no longer standing.
Ms. Gunn said that she has acquired the Betts Family Autographs from the 1890’s. She said that the museum would receive an 1830 interior painting that was worth $2,000 from Richard Sparks.
Ms. Gunn said that she had a visit from the CT Revenue agent for the ruling on the sales tax status regarding the gift shop. She said that the agent would be in touch with a definitive ruling on the sales tax issue.
Ms. Gunn said that Channel 4 interviewed her about the history of Norwalk.
Ms. Falasca said that in last months meeting there was reference to collection pieces missing. She said she would like to have backup for the pieces that are missing from Ms. Gunn.
Ms. Falasca said that she would like to know when they were discovered missing, what pieces and how many pieces were missing. Ms. Falasca said that she was requesting a written report. Ms. Gunn said that it would take some time to put together but would have a report for Ms. Falasca.
Mr. Bloom said that the bookcase that was donated belonged to the DAR Chapter. He said that it looked very familiar and may not belong to the museum. Ms. Gunn said that there are no numbers on the bookcase but was told it was purchased from an antique dealer that bought it from the Baird Estate.
Ms. Falasca asked Ms. Gunn for backup for the pottery pieces that were recently purchased. Ms. Gunn said that the appraisal was coming.
i. 18 Rocky Point Rd, Deemed Filed Dated (DFD) 2/6/04.
ii. 80 Fair St., DFD 2/10/04
iii. 118 Murray St., DFD 2/11/04
iv. 1 Indiana Place
v. 52 Rowayton Avenue
vi. 28 Camp St.
vii. 17 Hunt St.
Mr. Bloom said that there was nothing to save at 80 Fair St. Mr. Bloom said that this was the third time 28 Camp Street was trying to be demolished. Ms. Tylo said that the house was used for ‘sleeping in shifts’ and that businesses were operating out of the garage. Ms. Gunn said that a stay would be issued for 28 Camp Street.
Ms. Falasca said that there was no historical value for 118 Murray Street.
Ms. Falasca said that 18 Rocky Point Road has an addition to the original house. She said that the owner was keeping the floorboards and fireplace intact.
Ms. Falasca said that so many houses have been redone in the Bell Island area. She said that Bill Krauss said that this was not worth fighting for. Ms. Falasca said that she would not recommend a stay on this property.
Ms. Gunn said that 52 Rowayton Avenue was deemed filed. She said that a man visited today and was the property owner next door to 52 Rowayton Avenue and was stripping the interior and putting it into his present house.
Ms. Falasca said that 17 Hunt Street was deemed filed on the 20th. She said that the entrance was in the back of the house. Ms. Wall said that she could have someone look at the house next week. Ms. Falasca recommended a stay on 17 Hunt Street.
Ms. Wall said that 18 Rocky Point Road was 1884 circa. She said that there was no new approved plan for the property and that the city would approve demolition for this house.
Ms. Falasca said that Indiana Place was a barn and has pane windows that have been closed and painted and that she does not recommend a stay.
Ms. Gunn said that a question came up about putting the Norwalk Boat Club on the NHRI listing. She said that the building has been there since 1910. Mr. Bloom suggested that the club be re-examined. He added that there has been remodeling done there. Ms. Gunn said that the club wanted to be listed on the registry. Ms. Falasca recommended that the club do their own research and then bring the information to the Commission.
Ms. Gunn said that to sum up the item that 28 Camp Street was a stay with 17 Hunt Street and 52 Rowayton Avenue in review.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
b. Mathews Park Committee
Ms. Robinson said that there was no report tonight.
Ms. Gunn said that she would put the report for the Rogers Ritch Merritt House under this item next month.
FINANCE
Ms. Gunn said that there was an Operating Budget hearing on March 10, 2004. Ms. Gunn distributed the Capital Budget for 04-05. She added that this was not the final budget. Ms. Gunn said that this was a chart of recommendations from the Finance department.
Ms. Gunn handed out the financial report to the Commission for their review.
She said that the electric budget was over exceeded. She said that Ann Twomey would re-evaluate that line item for next year.
Ms. Booth said that she would recommend that the Commission take the budget home for review and present questions at the next meeting.
Ms. Gunn asked the Commission to send her any questions about the budget in advance of the next meeting.
OLD BUSINESS
a. Auto Zone/Currie’s Property, West Avenue
Ms. Falasca suggested that Mr. Bloom call Currie’s to see what was going on with the property. She added that this item should stay on the agenda.
b. White Barn Theater Property
Ms. Wall said that Mayor Knopp went to the New York City with the Cranbury Association and met with Lortell Foundation, Trustee of the White Barn. She said that the Trustee made a proposal for six months and would like to know the position of the land development. She said that it would cost $1million to renovate the property but they were still negotiating. Ms. Wall said that the community was steadfast on opposition on development.
NEW BUSINESS
Ms. Falasca said the Land Use and Building Management Committee unanimously agreed to the historic proposals under the Commission. She said that a public hearing would be held and that the item would go to Council in April.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION
Ms. Falasca said that the Friends of the Museum were present tonight because they anticipated being on the agenda. Mr. Robidoux said that the Friends are requesting access to the archives in the museum. Ms. Gunn said absolutely but to please let her know the schedule of the visits. Mr. Robidoux said that the Friends are putting together a traveling exhibit for the past and present school buildings in co-operation with Briggs Center.
Ms. Robinson said that the City Clerk was selling daffodils at City Hall for the American Cancer Society. She said anyone that was interested to contact City Hall.
III. NEXT MEETING OF THE COMMISSION: MARCH 24, 2004 AT 7:30PM, NORWALK MUSEUM CONFERENCE ROOM.
** MR. IANNACCONE MOVED TO ADJOURN.
** MS. FALASCA SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:20pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Jean Lane for
Telesco Secretarial Services
 |
 |