APPROVED
Historic District Commission
Meeting Minutes
January 11, 2007
Members attending: John Fitzwilliam, Lottie Guild, Brian Luddy, Eileen McHugh, Reuel Walling, and Carmen Yon, Selectmen’s representative.
CTO: 4:00 PM.
Administration: Since the 4:00 appointment had not yet arrived, Fitzwilliam discussed the sample design guidelines from Jaffrey and asked the members to circulate them for later discussion.
Guild asked what the Commission’s position was on satellite TV antennas. Luddy suggested they shouldn’t be visible from the street, but noted that the FCC allows the Historic District to regulate antennas.
The Commission asked Eileen McHugh to serve as chairman of a group to review various design guidelines and develop a draft of guidelines for the Town of Fitzwilliam.
Brian Luddy was nominated and elected by acclamation to be the Vice Chairman of the Commission. Wendy O’Brien had served in this position before resigning.
The Commission reviewed the draft of the Historic District Commission report for the Annual Town Report and accepted it.
Minutes: Guild moved, Luddy seconded and the Commission approved the minutes of the December 12, 2006 meeting as written.
Appointment: Carol Langer to discuss options for canopy.
Ms. Langer brought a document she said was part of the original materials she gave to John Fitzwilliam last year to bring to the Historic District Commission for their informal input. It was not part of any formal application. The document seems to be a contractor’s proposal dated January 30, 2006 that includes information about proposed signage on the awning. Ms. Langer said she found it in her awning file, and feels certain that it was part of the original materials she gave Fitzwilliam for Commission review. None of the members who served on the Commission at that time recall seeing this particular document, or hearing anything about signage on the awning.
Fitzwilliam noted that there was no paperwork on file with the town regarding signage or a sign permit.
Luddy and Walling wondered what it was that Ms. Langer was asking of the Commission.
Ms. Langer said she also has documentation that indicates the font used on the signage is an old font design, as opposed to being designed to look old.
Fitzwilliam said he had told Ms. Langer that the Historic District Commission had looked at her materials, informally in the absence of an application, and they did not like the proposal. He added he did not follow-up with Ms. Langer to insure that a formal application was filed after Ms. Langer basically said she was going to go ahead and put it up.
Ms. Langer said she couldn’t imagine she would have applied without the detail of the sign. (Note: Ms. Langer did not apply formally to the Commission until after the awning and sign were installed, and she had received a letter from the Commission asking her to apply retroactively.)
Guild noted today was the first time she had seen the contractor’s proposal. Neither Fitzwilliam nor Walling recall whether they had seen it or not. Luddy and McHugh were not part of the Commission at the time.
Fitzwilliam noted that the Commission did not approve the sign when they had the opportunity to see the final product, adding he didn’t see how this documentation would have altered the final vote in any way.
McHugh asked if there was a way to replace only the front panel, which has the signage on it. Ms. Langer said no. Guild asked if the sign could be painted over and Ms. Langer said no, she’d looked into it. Ms. Langer said the documentation she brought today “shows that she when she wanted to come before the Commission, she had the information.”
Fitzwilliam apologized for any inconvenience. Ms. Langer said she would have changed it if she had known. Guild repeated that the lettering has to come off. Fitzwilliam said that the graphics wouldn’t have been approved at any time.
Yon noted that the information Ms. Langer brought in may be used in an appeal to the court. Fitzwilliam said the next stop for her is to appeal for a rehearing with the ZBA. Ms. Langer submitted paperwork to that effect as she came in for the meeting.
Public hearing: Bonnie Wicklund to discuss window replacement and exterior painting on property located at 92 NH Route 119 W, Historic and Residential Districts, Map 32, Lot 5.
Ms. Wicklund plans to replace windows and paint her home, to make it more energy efficient and would like some input on what she should have. She said the second floor windows are all original to the building and there is one original window on the first floor. Antique windows are also in the attached garage, which she plans to use as living space eventually.
She would like thermo pane windows, with maybe 9/6 divided light. Members suggested talking with Carolyn Edwards and Ellie Rogers. Both have replaced windows this past year. Fitzwilliam suggested Brosco windows are true divided light windows.
Fitzwilliam asked her to bring information about the windows and paint she selects so the Commission can see it. Ms. Wicklund will return to the Commission when she has made those decisions.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 PM.
| 
