WHC Meeting Minutes, April 6, 2009
Present
Member: Arlene Cloutier, Jim Collins, Sharon Connors, Norma Judson, Jane Loos,
Geraldine Millham
Alternate: Anne (Pete) Baker
Absent
Member: None
Alternate: Bette DeVeuve, Tim Bryant, Chris Vezetinski
1. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Chair Sharon Connors (SC) in the Town Hall second floor meeting room. In addition to the six members, SC named Anne (Pete) Baker (APB) to be the seventh vote. Other in attendance included:
Joe Duprie Contractor for 2062 Main Road, WPT
Thomas Fenn 21 Cape Bial Lane, WPT
Al Lees 2065 Main Road, WPT
Betty Slade 2037 Main Road, WPT
2. SC noted that the forthcoming Town Meeting would take place at the same time as the next regularly scheduled WHC meeting. The general consensus was to reschedule the WHC May meeting to the second Monday to avoid this conflicting schedule. The date for submissions for public hearings would also be shifted one week later, to April 21.
A. General Business.
1. Minutes of Previous Meetings. Jane Loos (JL) explained that revised versions of the draft minutes were circulated electronically on April 6. Geraldine Millham (GM) moved and Arlene Cloutier (AC) seconded a motion to approve the March 2, 2009 draft minutes as circulated. The vote in favor was unanimous, with one abstention (APB, as she had not attended that meeting). GM moved and AC seconded a motion to approve the March 12, 2009 draft minutes as circulated. The vote in favor was unanimous.
3. Treasurer’s Report. SC noted that Chris Vezetinski (CV) had offered to take on the duties as acting Treasurer; however, CV was not able to attend tonight’s meeting. SC presented the information from the Town Accountant (Attachment 1). WHC Operating Budget balance is $656; hearing income to date is $500; WHC Trust Fund balance is $6,907; and Wolf Pit School Trust balance is $6,283. The Town Farm Operating Budget balance is $2,816, and Town Farm Trust balance is $12,621.
4. SC noted that the encumbered funds from FY08 have not yet been spent for the audio system. It was agreed to test a simple audio system from the Westport Historical Society at the next meeting, to ascertain if this less costly version will suffice. SC reminded that operating expenses previously paid for by the members/alternates themselves are eligible for reimbursement and receipts should be turned in to the Acting Treasurer. SC advised APB to verify with the Acting Treasurer the originally approved funding and any remaining balances for the Waite Potter Chimney project. In response to a question about the status of the Trustees lease of the Town Farm, GM explained that the lease negotiations are not yet completed; this does not affect the plans to use the small Town Farm operating budget for repairs and maintenance in the meantime.
5. FY2010 Budget. SC reported on her discussions with the Town Finance Committee about the proposed FY2010 budget. The Finance Committee recommendation is not yet decided.
6. Request for Certificate of Non-Applicability for Foundation Work at 2062 Main Road. Mr. Joe Duprie (representing owner Robert Haines) explained that the existing poured concrete and cement block foundation needs repair on the North and West sides. They proposed to replace like with like, with no change in elevation. GM moved and AC seconded a motion to approve a Certificate of Non-Applicability, as this was a repair that would replace like with like. The vote in favor was unanimous.
7. Letters. SC read the following letters into the record:
(a) SC letter to Mike Coughlin and his reply concerning the coke machine (Attachment 2)
(b) March 3 letter of Resignation from Dora Millikin (Attachment 3)
(c) SC March 6 letter to Westport Cultural Council endorsing the grant request for redesigning and reprinting the “History of the Head” book (Attachment 4)
(d) SC March 12 letter to Building Inspector granting approval for demolition of the south ell and chimney of the corncrib at 1813-1815 Main Road (Attachment 5)
(e) SC March 12 letter to Ms. Furtado explaining the next steps required to adjust the approved plans to reflect the conditions since the collapse and demolition (Attachment 6).
(f) Building Inspector’s March 12 letter to Ms. Furtado granting the emergency demolition permit (Attachment 7)
8. Handy House Inspection. GM and APB informed that they had been in touch with the owners and hoped to complete arrangements for the mandated inspection the week of May 27th. It was agreed that it would be prudent to arrange for someone else from the Commission to join them to become familiar with the special features of the house and WHC’s responsibilities. Candidates include Jim Collins and Tim Bryant.
9. Request for Certificate of Non-Applicability for Repair work at 2065 Main Road. Mr. Albert Lees informed that the approved work on the foundation is nearly completed and the next step is to tie in south ell utility building to the new foundation and remove the ice chest at the south end of the building. The utility building is in such poor shape that it needs to be rebuilt to replace studs on three sides of the building (in essence a demolition). It would be rebuilt to look exacting like it does now. GM moved and AC seconded a motion to approve a Certificate of Non-Applicability to demolish and rebuild (like for like) the south ell utility building and to remove the ice chest. The vote in favor was unanimous.
10. Mr. Lees asked for feedback on revised plans, which reflect comments received previously. SC reminded that WHC approval of plans would require a public hearing, including notices to abutters. Mr. Lees reported that he had not been able to find an exact replacement picture window for the fish market north façade, and inquired about possibilities to consider some other alternatives --- since the picture window is not original, and that wall /window/doorway had gone through several iterations during its history. He also indicated that he intended to retain the external chimney on the north elevation (not shown on the current plans).
11. WHC commended Mr. Lees’ plans to maintain many of the quirks of the building and its sense of a commercial building with an accumulated history – good, bad and indifferent changes over time. The main comments concerned the south elevation, second and third floors, where major changes are proposed for the size, design and placement of windows. Some members thought the current plan for that façade is too “domestic” and risks introducing McMansion scale windows. SC noted that, given the variety of windows and doors used on the building over its history, there is scope for using a number of different options. For the public hearing, SC suggested that Mr. Lees might wish to present several alternatives for the windows (on all sides), including the market’s picture window as a way to work through alternatives.
12. Preliminary Review of Proposed New Cottage at 21 Cape Bial Lane. Mr. Tom Fenn represented the Fenn Family, owners of this property. He explained that there is currently a small garage (with bath) that the family would like to replace with a small cottage (without kitchen) to gain more living area and storage. Mr. Fenn presented plans drawn up by Chip Gillespie, architect, for a 20 X 36 foot cottage with full basement. The sense of the meeting was that this is such a special house (windmill, with three long ells like spokes of a wheel) that a mundane quasi-cape quasi-bungalow as drawn is not appropriate. Its shape and location are not in sympathy with the more daring windmill. Suggestions included sticking closer to the spirit of the existing garage, shifting it to the north a bit more, and possibly making an “L’” shaped structure to balance the two visible ells and provide a court yard relationship between the windmill and the new building, possibly keeping the garage for storage and building the new cottage without a full basement (allowing the new cottage first floor) to sit closer to ground level. Mr. Fenn thanked the Commission for its comments and suggestions, and explained that he would like to rethink the proposal.
13. Window Restoration Workshop. SC informed the meeting that the Massachusetts Historical Society is sponsoring a window restoration workshop in New Bedford on Saturday May 9.
14. National Preservation Month. SC noted that May is National Preservation Month, and that Westport has good examples of preservation work, which merit wider recognition. Prime candidates are Wolf Pit School and the Waite Potter House, both benefiting from public as well as private donations. It was agreed that SC write to the Hopkinson family to inform them that WHC wishes to hold an open house at the Wolf Pit school in May to showcase the fine preservation work and to request them to confirm in writing how access will be granted.
15. Westport Historical Society (WHS) Speaker. SC informed that noted writer Tony Horowitz would be making a presentation to WHS on Monday April 27. This is likely to generate a large crowd, so SC advises making reservations early.
16. Monitor Reports.
(a) SC and AC reported that the little boat house at 2044 Main Road has been built, but it is several inches larger than shown on the approved plans. The sense of the meeting was that this is an insubstantial change and does not merit bringing it back to the Commission. GM noted that this is little post and beam building, done to a high and historically correct standard.
(b) GM and JL reported on their site visit to 1813-1815 Main Road, during which a contractor working on the foundation advised that no-one is to visit the site without the Building Inspector also being present. The meeting confirmed that , other than for safety reasons, monitors do have the right to access the property without the Building Inspector being on-site, as explicitly allowed by the terms included on the application for certificate.
(c) SC and JL reported on the demolition of ells and moving of the corncrib at 1813-1815 Main Road. SC explained that the chimney and south ell collapse had also damaged the connections between the corncrib and its north ell (actually two structures under one roof). JL explained that the house movers were worried that it would not be possible to buttress the corncrib sufficiently for it to be able to be moved with the north ell just hanging on. SC and JL agreed with the Building Inspector to allow the damaged north ell also to be demolished so that the corncrib could be safely moved out of the way while the new foundation was being poured.
(d) SC and AC reported on the work at 1973 Main Road, noting that the work is nearly completed and appears to be according to approved plans. SC explained that she had received a request from the owners for advice about the trim paint color.
Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 9:45pm. The next meeting will be Monday, May 11, 2009 at the Town Hall.
Drafted by Jane Loos, approved May 11, 2009
Attachments:
1. Treasurer’s Report
2. Coke Machine letters – SC to Town Administrator, and Town Administrator reply
3. Dora Millikin resignation letter
4. SC letter to Helen Ellis Trust Grant
5. SC March 12 letter to Building Inspector
6. SC March 16 letter to AC Furtado
7. Building Inspector letter to Joseph Furtado
Member: Arlene Cloutier, Jim Collins, Sharon Connors, Norma Judson, Jane Loos,
Geraldine Millham
Alternate: Anne (Pete) Baker
Absent
Member: None
Alternate: Bette DeVeuve, Tim Bryant, Chris Vezetinski
1. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Chair Sharon Connors (SC) in the Town Hall second floor meeting room. In addition to the six members, SC named Anne (Pete) Baker (APB) to be the seventh vote. Other in attendance included:
Joe Duprie Contractor for 2062 Main Road, WPT
Thomas Fenn 21 Cape Bial Lane, WPT
Al Lees 2065 Main Road, WPT
Betty Slade 2037 Main Road, WPT
2. SC noted that the forthcoming Town Meeting would take place at the same time as the next regularly scheduled WHC meeting. The general consensus was to reschedule the WHC May meeting to the second Monday to avoid this conflicting schedule. The date for submissions for public hearings would also be shifted one week later, to April 21.
A. General Business.
1. Minutes of Previous Meetings. Jane Loos (JL) explained that revised versions of the draft minutes were circulated electronically on April 6. Geraldine Millham (GM) moved and Arlene Cloutier (AC) seconded a motion to approve the March 2, 2009 draft minutes as circulated. The vote in favor was unanimous, with one abstention (APB, as she had not attended that meeting). GM moved and AC seconded a motion to approve the March 12, 2009 draft minutes as circulated. The vote in favor was unanimous.
3. Treasurer’s Report. SC noted that Chris Vezetinski (CV) had offered to take on the duties as acting Treasurer; however, CV was not able to attend tonight’s meeting. SC presented the information from the Town Accountant (Attachment 1). WHC Operating Budget balance is $656; hearing income to date is $500; WHC Trust Fund balance is $6,907; and Wolf Pit School Trust balance is $6,283. The Town Farm Operating Budget balance is $2,816, and Town Farm Trust balance is $12,621.
4. SC noted that the encumbered funds from FY08 have not yet been spent for the audio system. It was agreed to test a simple audio system from the Westport Historical Society at the next meeting, to ascertain if this less costly version will suffice. SC reminded that operating expenses previously paid for by the members/alternates themselves are eligible for reimbursement and receipts should be turned in to the Acting Treasurer. SC advised APB to verify with the Acting Treasurer the originally approved funding and any remaining balances for the Waite Potter Chimney project. In response to a question about the status of the Trustees lease of the Town Farm, GM explained that the lease negotiations are not yet completed; this does not affect the plans to use the small Town Farm operating budget for repairs and maintenance in the meantime.
5. FY2010 Budget. SC reported on her discussions with the Town Finance Committee about the proposed FY2010 budget. The Finance Committee recommendation is not yet decided.
6. Request for Certificate of Non-Applicability for Foundation Work at 2062 Main Road. Mr. Joe Duprie (representing owner Robert Haines) explained that the existing poured concrete and cement block foundation needs repair on the North and West sides. They proposed to replace like with like, with no change in elevation. GM moved and AC seconded a motion to approve a Certificate of Non-Applicability, as this was a repair that would replace like with like. The vote in favor was unanimous.
7. Letters. SC read the following letters into the record:
(a) SC letter to Mike Coughlin and his reply concerning the coke machine (Attachment 2)
(b) March 3 letter of Resignation from Dora Millikin (Attachment 3)
(c) SC March 6 letter to Westport Cultural Council endorsing the grant request for redesigning and reprinting the “History of the Head” book (Attachment 4)
(d) SC March 12 letter to Building Inspector granting approval for demolition of the south ell and chimney of the corncrib at 1813-1815 Main Road (Attachment 5)
(e) SC March 12 letter to Ms. Furtado explaining the next steps required to adjust the approved plans to reflect the conditions since the collapse and demolition (Attachment 6).
(f) Building Inspector’s March 12 letter to Ms. Furtado granting the emergency demolition permit (Attachment 7)
8. Handy House Inspection. GM and APB informed that they had been in touch with the owners and hoped to complete arrangements for the mandated inspection the week of May 27th. It was agreed that it would be prudent to arrange for someone else from the Commission to join them to become familiar with the special features of the house and WHC’s responsibilities. Candidates include Jim Collins and Tim Bryant.
9. Request for Certificate of Non-Applicability for Repair work at 2065 Main Road. Mr. Albert Lees informed that the approved work on the foundation is nearly completed and the next step is to tie in south ell utility building to the new foundation and remove the ice chest at the south end of the building. The utility building is in such poor shape that it needs to be rebuilt to replace studs on three sides of the building (in essence a demolition). It would be rebuilt to look exacting like it does now. GM moved and AC seconded a motion to approve a Certificate of Non-Applicability to demolish and rebuild (like for like) the south ell utility building and to remove the ice chest. The vote in favor was unanimous.
10. Mr. Lees asked for feedback on revised plans, which reflect comments received previously. SC reminded that WHC approval of plans would require a public hearing, including notices to abutters. Mr. Lees reported that he had not been able to find an exact replacement picture window for the fish market north façade, and inquired about possibilities to consider some other alternatives --- since the picture window is not original, and that wall /window/doorway had gone through several iterations during its history. He also indicated that he intended to retain the external chimney on the north elevation (not shown on the current plans).
11. WHC commended Mr. Lees’ plans to maintain many of the quirks of the building and its sense of a commercial building with an accumulated history – good, bad and indifferent changes over time. The main comments concerned the south elevation, second and third floors, where major changes are proposed for the size, design and placement of windows. Some members thought the current plan for that façade is too “domestic” and risks introducing McMansion scale windows. SC noted that, given the variety of windows and doors used on the building over its history, there is scope for using a number of different options. For the public hearing, SC suggested that Mr. Lees might wish to present several alternatives for the windows (on all sides), including the market’s picture window as a way to work through alternatives.
12. Preliminary Review of Proposed New Cottage at 21 Cape Bial Lane. Mr. Tom Fenn represented the Fenn Family, owners of this property. He explained that there is currently a small garage (with bath) that the family would like to replace with a small cottage (without kitchen) to gain more living area and storage. Mr. Fenn presented plans drawn up by Chip Gillespie, architect, for a 20 X 36 foot cottage with full basement. The sense of the meeting was that this is such a special house (windmill, with three long ells like spokes of a wheel) that a mundane quasi-cape quasi-bungalow as drawn is not appropriate. Its shape and location are not in sympathy with the more daring windmill. Suggestions included sticking closer to the spirit of the existing garage, shifting it to the north a bit more, and possibly making an “L’” shaped structure to balance the two visible ells and provide a court yard relationship between the windmill and the new building, possibly keeping the garage for storage and building the new cottage without a full basement (allowing the new cottage first floor) to sit closer to ground level. Mr. Fenn thanked the Commission for its comments and suggestions, and explained that he would like to rethink the proposal.
13. Window Restoration Workshop. SC informed the meeting that the Massachusetts Historical Society is sponsoring a window restoration workshop in New Bedford on Saturday May 9.
14. National Preservation Month. SC noted that May is National Preservation Month, and that Westport has good examples of preservation work, which merit wider recognition. Prime candidates are Wolf Pit School and the Waite Potter House, both benefiting from public as well as private donations. It was agreed that SC write to the Hopkinson family to inform them that WHC wishes to hold an open house at the Wolf Pit school in May to showcase the fine preservation work and to request them to confirm in writing how access will be granted.
15. Westport Historical Society (WHS) Speaker. SC informed that noted writer Tony Horowitz would be making a presentation to WHS on Monday April 27. This is likely to generate a large crowd, so SC advises making reservations early.
16. Monitor Reports.
(a) SC and AC reported that the little boat house at 2044 Main Road has been built, but it is several inches larger than shown on the approved plans. The sense of the meeting was that this is an insubstantial change and does not merit bringing it back to the Commission. GM noted that this is little post and beam building, done to a high and historically correct standard.
(b) GM and JL reported on their site visit to 1813-1815 Main Road, during which a contractor working on the foundation advised that no-one is to visit the site without the Building Inspector also being present. The meeting confirmed that , other than for safety reasons, monitors do have the right to access the property without the Building Inspector being on-site, as explicitly allowed by the terms included on the application for certificate.
(c) SC and JL reported on the demolition of ells and moving of the corncrib at 1813-1815 Main Road. SC explained that the chimney and south ell collapse had also damaged the connections between the corncrib and its north ell (actually two structures under one roof). JL explained that the house movers were worried that it would not be possible to buttress the corncrib sufficiently for it to be able to be moved with the north ell just hanging on. SC and JL agreed with the Building Inspector to allow the damaged north ell also to be demolished so that the corncrib could be safely moved out of the way while the new foundation was being poured.
(d) SC and AC reported on the work at 1973 Main Road, noting that the work is nearly completed and appears to be according to approved plans. SC explained that she had received a request from the owners for advice about the trim paint color.
Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 9:45pm. The next meeting will be Monday, May 11, 2009 at the Town Hall.
Drafted by Jane Loos, approved May 11, 2009
Attachments:
1. Treasurer’s Report
2. Coke Machine letters – SC to Town Administrator, and Town Administrator reply
3. Dora Millikin resignation letter
4. SC letter to Helen Ellis Trust Grant
5. SC March 12 letter to Building Inspector
6. SC March 16 letter to AC Furtado
7. Building Inspector letter to Joseph Furtado
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