Historical Commission Minutes, January 4, 2010
Present
Member: Jim Collins, Sharon Connors, Janet Jones, Norma Judson, Jane Loos,
Geraldine Millham
Alternate: none
Absent
Member: one vacancy
Alternate: Anne (Pete) Baker, Bette De Veuve, Christine Vezetinski
Sharon Connors (SC), Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm in the Town Hall basement meeting area. SC noted that there would be a total of only six votes, with no alternates attending. Others in attendance included:
Lennard Roberts architect for 1998 Main Road, WPT
Betty Slade 2037 Main Road, WPT
Peter Streng 1818 Main Road, WPT
Garret Stuck 1998 Main Road, WPT
A. General Business.
1. Minutes of October 5, 2009 Meeting. Jane Loos (JL) explained that a draft was circulated by email. SC and Geraldine Millham (GM) suggested several corrections. Janet Jones (JJ) moved and GM seconded a motion to approve the draft minutes as revised. The motion was approved, unanimously, with Jim Collins (JC) abstaining, as he had not attended that meeting.
2. Treasurer’s Report. GM presented the Treasurer’s Report as of 12/31/09 (see Attachment 1).
(a) WHC expense account had a balance of $740. Revenue to date is $350.
(b) WHC Trust Account balance is $8,416.42. Wolf Pit School Trust balance is $6,327.32.
(c) Town Farm expense account had a balance of $2,316. The Town Farm Trust Account balance is $11,066.20.
CV moved, and JL seconded a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report. The vote in favor was unanimous.
3. Special Honors. SC read a newspaper article concerning the AIA (New England chapter) awards to the architectural firm Payette Associates for outstanding work during 2009. The President of Payette Associates is Jim Collins (JC). WHC members offered congratulations to JC and his firm for their work, and thanked JC for still finding time to contribute to WHC.
SC read a newspaper article concerning the Standard Times award of Westport Woman of the Year to Geraldine Millham (GM). The award noted the many contributions GM has made to Westport’s history and government, with special emphasis on her successful efforts to restore and maintain the Town Farm for the benefit of all Town citizens. WHC members offered congratulations to GM for the knowledge, determination and care she exercised over 30 + years of historic preservation work in Westport.
4. Correspondence.
1813-1815 Main Road. SC read the December 16, 2009 letter the Building Inspector to Mr. J. Furtado, following up on their meeting at the site on December 15, 2009 (see Attachment 2). WHC members expressed their concerns that work has been stalled for nearly six months and the buildings are once again exposed to the elements. SC undertook to discuss this matter further with the Building Inspector and Town Counsel.
5. Administrative Matters:
(a) SC noted that she watched the MassHistorical Commission DVD, and would recommend it highly for WHC members to refresh their knowledge on the creation and administration of historic districts.
(b) FY2011 Budgeting. SC informed that WHC’s budget proposal must be submitted to the Town Administrator by January 8, 2010. The sense of the meeting was to maintain the budget at the (reduced) FY10 budget level of $740.
(c) Annual Report. SC informed that all annual reports are due to BOS secretary on January 29, 2010. SC agreed to write up the report, and asked JL to tabulate statistics on WHC’s work during calendar 2009.
(d) FY11 Town Meeting. SC informed that any warrant articles are due January 15, 2010. The meeting discussed the desirability to amend WHC’s BY-Law to expand coverage to include stonewalls and fences, and possibly also roof color, but concluded that there is not enough time to launch this effort properly for the FY11 Town Meeting.
(e) SC informed that the BOS is asking for applications from those interested in serving as a trustee on the Westport Affordable Housing Trust.
(f) Guidance on Conflict of Interest. JC requested guidance on how to handle an appearance of a conflict of interest with WHC responsibilities . JC informed that he has been asked to help (pro-bono) a local project develop plans for a farm/cheese house to operate off the grid. The meeting advised JC to consult with the Town Clerk to put a notice on file that he will be doing this work.
(g) Solar Panels. It was agreed that WHC should set aside time at a forthcoming meeting to learn more about solar panels , as well as other new materials which may be proposed for historic properties.
(h) Planning Board. SC reminded that WHC may wish to attend the January 20, 2010 Planning Board Meeting on a possible project on Forge Road.
(i) Communications with owners of Properties in Westport Point Local Historic District. SC suggested and it was agreed that WHC should reach out to owners to discuss compliance with WHC guidelines and to thank the good citizens who play by the rules. SC agreed to draft a letter for discussion at the February meeting.
(j) Painting 1973 Main Road. SC informed that the owners of 1973 Main Road requested confirmation of WHC procedures for approvals of house painting. The meeting noted that if there would be a change in colors (to be desired in this case because the colors were changed without WHC approval), this would require a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness and a public hearing. SC undertook to inform the owners.
B. Public Hearing for 1998 Main Road, 7:30 PM
1. Garrett Stuck (owner) and Lennard Roberts (architect) presented a proposal for three changes to the approved plans for the Main house:
(a) Second compressor for two zone air conditioning on north wall, along-side one unit already approved. JC moved and JL seconded a motion to approve the second unit. The motion was approved, unanimously.
(b) Moving the emergency generator. The applicant withdrew this request, as it is not possible according to Building Department regulations.
(c) Color Scheme. The architect informed that his investigations under layers of paint had confirmed that the original paint scheme did not include brown as a fourth color; this appeared to have been a Victorian embellishment. They requested approval to remove the fourth color (brown) from the approved color scheme, and to paint the doors green only, with no embellishments. JL moved and JC seconded a motion to approve this change. The motion was approved, unanimously.
2. The applicant requested changes to approved plans for the Cottage:
(a) West Façade. The applicant informed that they wished to eliminate the brick chimney and use a direct vent gas stove instead of the fireplace. The gas stove would be installed with a stainless vent through the wall, which would not need to rise above the height of the stonewall, and therefore would not be visible from the west. They also wished to eliminate one window on the south end of the west wall. Janet Jones (JJ) moved and GM seconded a motion to approve these requests. The motion was approved, unanimously.
(b) East Roof. The applicant informed that, while they had wished to use red cedar on that face (like all others on the Cottage and House), the slope was not sufficient and they need a more impermeable material. They decided on metal standing seam roofing, to be painted brown/bronze color. JJ moved and GM seconded a motion to approve a Certificate of Non-Applicability for this request, because WHC has no mandate over roof materials.
C. Westport Master Plan. JL lead a discussion of the Westport Master Plan and WHC’s possible role in supporting its implementation.
Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 9:42pm. The next meeting will be at 7pm, Monday, February 1, 2010 at the Town Hall.
Drafted by Jane Loos, revised and approved February 1, 2010
Attachments:
1. Treasurer’s Report
2. Building Inspector’s letter to J. Furtado, 1813-1815 Main Road
Member: Jim Collins, Sharon Connors, Janet Jones, Norma Judson, Jane Loos,
Geraldine Millham
Alternate: none
Absent
Member: one vacancy
Alternate: Anne (Pete) Baker, Bette De Veuve, Christine Vezetinski
Sharon Connors (SC), Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm in the Town Hall basement meeting area. SC noted that there would be a total of only six votes, with no alternates attending. Others in attendance included:
Lennard Roberts architect for 1998 Main Road, WPT
Betty Slade 2037 Main Road, WPT
Peter Streng 1818 Main Road, WPT
Garret Stuck 1998 Main Road, WPT
A. General Business.
1. Minutes of October 5, 2009 Meeting. Jane Loos (JL) explained that a draft was circulated by email. SC and Geraldine Millham (GM) suggested several corrections. Janet Jones (JJ) moved and GM seconded a motion to approve the draft minutes as revised. The motion was approved, unanimously, with Jim Collins (JC) abstaining, as he had not attended that meeting.
2. Treasurer’s Report. GM presented the Treasurer’s Report as of 12/31/09 (see Attachment 1).
(a) WHC expense account had a balance of $740. Revenue to date is $350.
(b) WHC Trust Account balance is $8,416.42. Wolf Pit School Trust balance is $6,327.32.
(c) Town Farm expense account had a balance of $2,316. The Town Farm Trust Account balance is $11,066.20.
CV moved, and JL seconded a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report. The vote in favor was unanimous.
3. Special Honors. SC read a newspaper article concerning the AIA (New England chapter) awards to the architectural firm Payette Associates for outstanding work during 2009. The President of Payette Associates is Jim Collins (JC). WHC members offered congratulations to JC and his firm for their work, and thanked JC for still finding time to contribute to WHC.
SC read a newspaper article concerning the Standard Times award of Westport Woman of the Year to Geraldine Millham (GM). The award noted the many contributions GM has made to Westport’s history and government, with special emphasis on her successful efforts to restore and maintain the Town Farm for the benefit of all Town citizens. WHC members offered congratulations to GM for the knowledge, determination and care she exercised over 30 + years of historic preservation work in Westport.
4. Correspondence.
1813-1815 Main Road. SC read the December 16, 2009 letter the Building Inspector to Mr. J. Furtado, following up on their meeting at the site on December 15, 2009 (see Attachment 2). WHC members expressed their concerns that work has been stalled for nearly six months and the buildings are once again exposed to the elements. SC undertook to discuss this matter further with the Building Inspector and Town Counsel.
5. Administrative Matters:
(a) SC noted that she watched the MassHistorical Commission DVD, and would recommend it highly for WHC members to refresh their knowledge on the creation and administration of historic districts.
(b) FY2011 Budgeting. SC informed that WHC’s budget proposal must be submitted to the Town Administrator by January 8, 2010. The sense of the meeting was to maintain the budget at the (reduced) FY10 budget level of $740.
(c) Annual Report. SC informed that all annual reports are due to BOS secretary on January 29, 2010. SC agreed to write up the report, and asked JL to tabulate statistics on WHC’s work during calendar 2009.
(d) FY11 Town Meeting. SC informed that any warrant articles are due January 15, 2010. The meeting discussed the desirability to amend WHC’s BY-Law to expand coverage to include stonewalls and fences, and possibly also roof color, but concluded that there is not enough time to launch this effort properly for the FY11 Town Meeting.
(e) SC informed that the BOS is asking for applications from those interested in serving as a trustee on the Westport Affordable Housing Trust.
(f) Guidance on Conflict of Interest. JC requested guidance on how to handle an appearance of a conflict of interest with WHC responsibilities . JC informed that he has been asked to help (pro-bono) a local project develop plans for a farm/cheese house to operate off the grid. The meeting advised JC to consult with the Town Clerk to put a notice on file that he will be doing this work.
(g) Solar Panels. It was agreed that WHC should set aside time at a forthcoming meeting to learn more about solar panels , as well as other new materials which may be proposed for historic properties.
(h) Planning Board. SC reminded that WHC may wish to attend the January 20, 2010 Planning Board Meeting on a possible project on Forge Road.
(i) Communications with owners of Properties in Westport Point Local Historic District. SC suggested and it was agreed that WHC should reach out to owners to discuss compliance with WHC guidelines and to thank the good citizens who play by the rules. SC agreed to draft a letter for discussion at the February meeting.
(j) Painting 1973 Main Road. SC informed that the owners of 1973 Main Road requested confirmation of WHC procedures for approvals of house painting. The meeting noted that if there would be a change in colors (to be desired in this case because the colors were changed without WHC approval), this would require a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness and a public hearing. SC undertook to inform the owners.
B. Public Hearing for 1998 Main Road, 7:30 PM
1. Garrett Stuck (owner) and Lennard Roberts (architect) presented a proposal for three changes to the approved plans for the Main house:
(a) Second compressor for two zone air conditioning on north wall, along-side one unit already approved. JC moved and JL seconded a motion to approve the second unit. The motion was approved, unanimously.
(b) Moving the emergency generator. The applicant withdrew this request, as it is not possible according to Building Department regulations.
(c) Color Scheme. The architect informed that his investigations under layers of paint had confirmed that the original paint scheme did not include brown as a fourth color; this appeared to have been a Victorian embellishment. They requested approval to remove the fourth color (brown) from the approved color scheme, and to paint the doors green only, with no embellishments. JL moved and JC seconded a motion to approve this change. The motion was approved, unanimously.
2. The applicant requested changes to approved plans for the Cottage:
(a) West Façade. The applicant informed that they wished to eliminate the brick chimney and use a direct vent gas stove instead of the fireplace. The gas stove would be installed with a stainless vent through the wall, which would not need to rise above the height of the stonewall, and therefore would not be visible from the west. They also wished to eliminate one window on the south end of the west wall. Janet Jones (JJ) moved and GM seconded a motion to approve these requests. The motion was approved, unanimously.
(b) East Roof. The applicant informed that, while they had wished to use red cedar on that face (like all others on the Cottage and House), the slope was not sufficient and they need a more impermeable material. They decided on metal standing seam roofing, to be painted brown/bronze color. JJ moved and GM seconded a motion to approve a Certificate of Non-Applicability for this request, because WHC has no mandate over roof materials.
C. Westport Master Plan. JL lead a discussion of the Westport Master Plan and WHC’s possible role in supporting its implementation.
Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 9:42pm. The next meeting will be at 7pm, Monday, February 1, 2010 at the Town Hall.
Drafted by Jane Loos, revised and approved February 1, 2010
Attachments:
1. Treasurer’s Report
2. Building Inspector’s letter to J. Furtado, 1813-1815 Main Road
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