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| NORWALK HISTORICAL COMMISSION MINUTES |
FEBRUARY 26, 2003
ATTENDANCE: Chairperson Diane Rochelle, Peter Bondi, Kathleen Morrow, Ralph Bloom, Carol Ann Falasca, Betty Booth, Deborah Mathies, Glenn Iannaccone, Marija Bryant
OTHERS: Richard A. Booth, Pres. Norwalk Historical Society, Tod Bryant, Pres., Norwalk Trust for Historic Preservation, Ms. Liz Suchy and Mr. John Cehi, Norwalk Hospital.
Note: Due to a malfunction of the recording equipment, the February 26,2003 minutes were transcribed solely from handwritten notes.
Chairperson Diane Rochelle called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. Ms. Rochelle announced that Ms. Linda Fallon, Ms. Marjorie St. Aubyn and Ms. Susan Gunn were excused from the meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The following changes were made to the Minutes of January 22, 2003:
Page 2 – Historical Cemeteries Report: Change "Freedman" to "Friedman."
Page 3 – Rogers Ritch Merrit House, 3rd Paragraph, 2nd Sentence: Change sentence to read "Ms. Rochelle stated that all of the Commissioners had viewed the plans in the past"
Page 3 – Mill Hill Buildings – Norwalk Historical Society Report: Change end of first sentence to reflect that Mr. Booth did prepare a small written report and distributed it to the members for their reading.
Page 4 – Gas Water Heater: Change "Mill Hill repairs" to "Bell Tower repairs."
Page 8 – Motion by Ms. Falasca: Change date in motion to Dec. 28.
** MR. IANNACCONE MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JANUARY 22, 2003 AS CORRECTED.
** MS. FALASCA SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED.
Ms. Rochelle stated that she had read Ms. Gunn’s memo informing her of the nonexistence of the April minutes. She requested a motion to accept Ms. Gunn’s memo.
** MRS. MORROW MOVED TO ACCEPT MS. GUNN’S MEMO AND TO ATTACH THE AGENDA AND THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY REPORT TO IT.
** MR. IANNACCONE SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED.
REPORTS – HISTORICAL COMMISSION
Historical Commission
February 26, 2003
Page 1
LOCKWOOD MATHEWS MANSION MUSEUM
LMMM report
Ms. Rochelle stated that there would be no formal report as no LMMM representative was in attendance.
Hoffmann Contract
Ms. Rochelle reported that the architect has reviewed the Hoffmann architectural contract and the lawyers have reviewed it. Also, Ms. Rochelle is waiting for the City to send this revised contract on the side porch to Hoffmann Architects for signing.
Repairs: Veranda, Conservatory and Drainage
Ms. Rochelle had no info on any LMMM repairs so all discussion of these repairs was tabled until more information could be obtained. Ms. Rochelle requested that Ms. Gunn find out how much money is left in the account once the encumbrance and cost of drainage is deleted.
HISTORICAL CEMETERIES REPORT
Ms. Rochelle asked if the Norwalk Museum had received the GPS maps from MCC that had been requisitioned last fall. She directed that Ms. Gunn investigate this matter and write a letter to expedite receiving the maps.
Repairs: Grave Markers and Notification Process
Ms. Rochelle said she had received a quote from Rising Sign Co. for four signs to be posted at the cemeteries. Cost of a vinyl sign was $900.00 or $792.00 and a laminated sign was $848.00 or $592.00 depending on use of a decorated wood post or a plain post. Ms. Rochelle reminded the Commission that Signs need to be posted by March 1st for a 90-day period through June 30th and then work can begin on July 1st. Ms. Rochelle noted that when the signs are made, they should conform to proper zoning regulations.
ROGERS RITCH MERRIT HOUSE
Ms. Rochelle announced that the Commission should be receiving a grant from CTHP for the amount of $2500 to cover a feasibility study for the RRM. She requested a motion to accept the grant if it is awarded.
** MRS. MORROW MOTIONED TO ACCEPT THE GRANT IF IT IS AWARDED.
** MS. BRYANT SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED.
Bid/Rebuilding Status
Ms. Rochelle noted that the request for qualifications for rebuilding the RRM House was posted in The Hour on February 7, 2003 with a deadline of February 27, 2003. Several applications have already been received. She inquired if she could set up a bid meeting with Mr. Bloom and Mr. Iannaccone in the next week.
Historical Commission
February 26, 2003
Page 2
Mrs. Rochelle presented 2 quotes for a feasibility study of mechanical systems for RRM House; one from Landmark Facilities Group, Inc. and one from Steven Winter Design, Inc. Ms. Rochelle stated that Landmark, a company on East Avenue in Norwalk, came in with the best bid, which was the lowest quote by $250.00.
** MR. IANNACCONE MOTIONED TO ACCEPT THE LANDMARK BID.
** MS. FALASCA SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED WITH ONE ABSTENTION.
Ms. Rochelle finds no corrections or amendments to the First Amendment to Gregg & Wies Architects Agreement, but sees two spaces to fill. She would like to add "Chair of Historical Commission." Mr. Iannaccone inquired about the committee and suggested the name of "Rogers Ritch Merrit Committee". Cutoff date is June 4, 2004. Ms. Rochelle asked the Commission’s approval to fill in the blanks and named the committee the "Rogers Ritch Merrit Bid Committee"..
** MS. BRYANT MOVED TO APPROVE MS. ROCHELLE FILLING THE SPACES.
** MRS. MORROW SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED.
.
MILL HILL BUILDINGS
Norwalk Historical Society report
The report was distributed to the Commissioners for their reading. Mr. Booth pointed out in his report that it has been over two years since the request for repairs to the Bell Tower were brought before the Commission and that he hoped to determine if the repairs would soon be underway by the end of this meeting.
Repairs: Bell Tower and Smith Street
Ms. Rochelle directed Ms. Gunn to inform her as to what is happening with the purchase order for the Bell Tower repairs. Ms. Rochelle stated that the Commission has received two bids for a hot water heater. Paul the Plumber offered a bid of $2,100.00 for an electric heater. Yankee Gas offered a bid of $2,800.00 for a gas heater. Ms. Rochelle stated that she wanted to table any vote on these bids until they are looked into further because the Commission needs two proposals for each type of system.
Mr. Bondi asked Mr. Booth where the water heater was going to be placed inside the building and inquired if the building’s gas lines were located near where the heater would be located. Mr. Booth stated that the gas lines were near the location for the heater. Mr. Bondi inquired if the electric lines were as close to the same location. Mr. Booth said he thought they might be but wasn’t sure. It was suggested through discussion that location of the gas lines made a gas water heater a better option than an electric heater. Mr. Bondi offered to work with Mr. Booth to expedite the gas water heater installation.
Ms. Rochelle stated that the Smith Street tenants’ leases were up on January 31st and that they have to go to Land Use. She directed Ms. Gunn to inform her as to whether the tenants have returned their letters.
NORWALK MUSEUM REPORT
Ms. Rochelle stated that she had sent a formal letter to Ms. Gunn to advise her of the Commission’s
requirement that Ms. Gunn begin an immediate inventory of the Museum’s collection. Ms. Rochelle pointed out that the letter was sent the day after the January Commission meeting and that she has not yet received a response
Historical Commission
February 26, 2003
Page 3
from Ms. Gunn. Ms. Rochelle tabled any further discussion regarding the inventory as Ms. Gunn was not in attendance at this meeting.
NORWALK HISTORIC RESOURCES INVENTORY (NHRI)
5 Elmcrest Terrace (moved to beginning of agenda for convenience of guests)
Ms. Rochelle introduced Mr. John Cehi of the Norwalk Hospital and Ms. Liz Suchy of Tierney, Zullo, Flaherty and Murphy, P.C. She stated that the Hospital has applied for the demolition of the house at 5 Elmcrest Terrace and that they did submit photos and tax information per Ms. Gunn’s request. Ms. Rochelle asked if there were any questions from the Commission for Mr. Cehi and Ms. Suchy.
Ms. Bryant inquired about other alternatives the hospital has looked into other than demolishing the house. Mr. Cehi stated that the hospital had gone over the costs of maintaining the house but that because the house was built in 1910 and had early 20th Century amenities, it would cost too much to heat as there is no insulation. Ms. Bryant asked if an engineer had looked at the house. Mr. Cehi said it had not occurred to him to have an engineer take a look. Ms. Bryant explained that an engineer might have been able to determine if there were other ways to modify the house and keep it cost-efficient while still keeping several parking spaces available for hospital use.
Ms. Rochelle asked if there was any further discussion. Ms. Bryant inquired as to how the property would be left, if the hospital planned to remove any of the trees or shrubs. Mr. Cehi replied that a 36-in. diameter birch tree would be left standing as would some shrubs, and the rest of the trees and shrubs removed to make way for the parking spaces needed. It was stated that the hospital had purchased the property and house for $600,000.
Some discussion followed between Commissioners to let the house at 5 Elmcrest Terrace move through the 90-day delay period and come up for a public hearing before the demolition can take place. It was agreed that the 90-day delay begins with tonight’s Commission action. Ms. Rochelle requested a motion from the Commission.
** MS. MORROW MOVED TO MAINTAIN THE STATUS QUO AND LET THE HOUSE AT 5 ELMCREST TERRACE MOVE THROUGH THE 90-DAY DELAY AND SUBSEQUENT PUBLIC HEARING.
** MS. FALASCA SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED.
Ms. Rochelle thanked Mr. Cehi and Ms. Suchy for their appearance at the Commission meeting. She requested that the Commission be given the opportunity to salvage items from the Elmcrest Terrace house in the event of demolition and Mr. Cehi agreed that the Commission could obtain salvage at that time. Ms Rochelle requested that Ms. Gunn set a date for the public hearing and inform Commissioners.
Mr. Iannaccone suggested that the remaining houses on Elmcrest Terrace be placed on the state and national historic registers. Ms. Rochelle directed Ms. Gunn to apply for national and state historic register status and requested a motion from the Commission that this be done.
** MR. IANNACCONE MOVED TO HAVE MS. GUNN APPLY FOR STATE AND NATIONAL HISTORIC REGISTER STATUS FOR THE REMAINING HOUSES ON ELMCREST TERRACE.
** MS. BRYANT SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED.
REPORTS – COMMITTEES
Historical Commission
February 26, 2003
Page 4
LMMM Restoration Committee
There was no Committee report this evening.
Mathews Park Committee
There was no Committee report this evening.
OLD BUSINESS
Change of Demolition Ordinance
Ms. Rochelle discussed the proposed change to the current demolition ordinance for the City in which any house over 75 years old would have to come up before the Commission for review before being demolished. It was determined that the ordinance would be changed to 50 years instead of 75 years. Ms. Rochelle explained that with the changed ordinance, when a demolition application comes up for review, it goes to Code Enforcement and the owner has 10 days for notification. Code Enforcement provides the list of people to be notified. The 90-day clock begins when the application is filed and there are 21 days for anyone to file a written objection. Ordinance Committee public hearing on this issue is tomorrow night at 7:30, room 231, City Hall. Commissioners agreed that the delay should be no less than 90 days, that the Commission must be notified, that 50 not 75 years be used and that there not be a 500 SF exemption.
NEW BUSINESS
Ms. Rochelle introduced Mr. Tod Bryant, President of the newly re-formed Norwalk Trust for Historic Preservation. Mr. Bryant stated that the mission of the Preservation Trust was to preserve, enhance and protect Norwalk’s built environment. Mr. Bryant stated that the Trust’s first meeting would be held the following Sunday at the Town House on Mill Hill from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and was open to all interested persons.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION
There was no other business to be discussed.
The meeting was called closed at 10:35 p.m
** MR. IANNACCONE MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.
** MR. BONDI ACCEPTED.
** MOTION PASSED.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda J. Hayes
Assistant to the Curator
Norwalk Museum
Historical Commission
February 26, 2003
