APPROVED
Historic District Commission
Meeting Minutes
September 14, 2006
Members attending: John Fitzwilliam, Lottie Guild, Brian Luddy, Reuel Walling. CTO: 4:05 PM.
Joel and Sarah Berg to discuss their proposed new home on the former Ashuelot Turnpike, Map 15, Lot 3-5, Rural District.
Mrs. Berg distributed drawing and elevations of the home they plan to build and members reviewed them. Luddy asked about siding, and asked that any approval stipulate the siding is wood rather than vinyl. Ms. Berg said the plans call for wooden ship-lap barn board.
Fitzwilliam noted that the paired windows on the front of the house are of a style that is post 1920 and he suggested separating them. Mrs. Berg so stipulated. Fitzwilliam said that windows used to be separated by enough room to allow for each window to have shutters, but said a foot or so would do here.
Fitzwilliam and Luddy agreed the pitch of the roof is acceptable; all members agreed a dark red painted front door would also be acceptable. The colors for house paint and trim are historic and acceptable. Dormers and railings are also acceptable. Walling moved, Luddy seconded and the Commission voted to approve the application with the stipulation that the siding will be wood barn board as specified, and the front windows will be separated.
Carole Langer to discuss the canvass awning and signage on the old schoolhouse, located at 22 Route 119W, Village Center Business District.
Ms. Langer showed Commission members newspaper articles and a list of work done on historic buildings by the person she’d contacted to do her awning. This person has 30 years experience working on early buildings. In taking his advice, she apparently misunderstood the town regulation requiring anyone living in the historic district to make formal application to the Historic District Commission for prior approval of any exterior work or construction proposed for their home or property.
Her application, dated September 7, 2006, is the first the Commission received regarding the awning. The Commission did informally review some specifications for an awning last spring, but did not act officially or review a formal application.
Ms. Langer described the awning as constructed and noted it was needed for weather protection. There is a sign on the awning that identifies the property as historic. It mirrors a sign that hangs near the street in front of the house. Commission members questioned the need for two identification signs.
Guild objected to the lettering on the sign. No sign application was made to either the Commission or the Selectmen.
After discussing several solutions to the problem of the sign, Luddy moved and Walling seconded a motion to continue the meeting to the next meeting on October 12, 2006. The Commission approved this motion. The continuation will enable Ms. Langer to get information from her contractor regarding removal of the sign from the awning.
A copy of the sign ordinance will be sent to Ms. Langer at her request.
Administrative: A map of the Historic District boundaries was distributed to members.
A publication on historic preservation will circulate among members of the Commission, prior to Commission planning for preservation ordinances in 2007 and the master plan revision in 2008. Walling reviews it this month.
Minutes: Luddy moved, Walling seconded and the Commission approved the minutes of the August 10, 2006 meeting as written.
Appointment: The Commission suggested two names to submit to the Selectmen for appointment to fill the seat vacated by Lee Fletcher.
Fitzwilliam moved, Walling seconded and the Commission voted to adjourn at 5:10 PM.
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