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ENFIELD HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
MAY 25, 2005
A Regular Meeting of the Enfield Historic District Commission was held on Wednesday, May 25,2005 in the Thompsonville Room, Enfield Town Hall, 820 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut. Chairman Richard Tatoian called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Richard Tatoian, Chairman
Russell Meyer
Roman Polaski
Eileen Russell
Nancy Smyth
Lillian Troiano, Alternate
Sonja Dean, Alternate
Raymond Gwozdz, Alternate
ALSO PRESENT: Roger Alsbaugh, Assistant Town Planner
HDCR#2005-002: Sonja Dean and Perry Cook: Internal Upgrade (new replacement of old stove vent to outside) resulting in diminished visual exterior vent.
Mr. Alsbaugh reported Ms. Dean notified him of the rather large exhaust fan that was on her house and her proposal to remove it and install a smaller one. Mr. Alsbaugh stated he gave an administrative approval for this change because it removed an eyesore and he could not find any evidence of a prior approval. If it predated 1972, it would not have required an approval. Mr. Alsbaugh stated the administrative approval saved the town approximately $150 in advertising costs.
MINUTES
Mr. Meyer made a motion, seconded by Mr. Gwozdz, to approve the Minutes of January 26, 2005. The Minutes were approved by a unanimous vote.
STAFF REPORT
Mr. Alsbaugh discussed Preservation Week and his prior conversation with the Chairman. They discussed the fact that the Town Council proclamation had been declared at such a late date that time and logistics made it impractical to do anything. There was no time to issue a press release and solicit speakers. Mr. Alsbaugh reported he did acquire the use of the Pearl Street Library for an awards ceremony but other activities became unrealistic. He also had little success in finding anyone to assist him in the basic preparations for Preservation Week. He noted there was $2,000 dedicated for Preservation Month and there is still the opportunity to plan on doing some of the previously discussed activities by encumbering those funds.
Mr. Alsbaugh brought up a speaker on the economics of historic preservation, (Donovan D. Rypkema, principal in the Real Estate Services Group) who will present a Downtown Resource Center workshop on ‘The Economic Realities of Downtown Revitalization’ on Tuesday, July 26, 2005. He asked that Commission members let him know if they desire to attend. Mr. Alsbaugh further noted that the subjects this speaker covers are very relevant to what is presently going on in the Town of Enfield.
Mr. Alsbaugh reported Commission members received a copy of the May/June issue of Preservation News. There is also a copy of the approval letter for the Reveruzzi’s, copies of the Winter 2005 and Spring 2005 Forum Journal and the March/April Forum News.
Mr. Alsbaugh noted the documentation for his attendance in San Antonio for preservation leadership training. He is happy he was accepted to this training which will be held from June 4 through 11.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
· Review draft of thank you letter to Lillian and Frank Troiano
· Review draft memo to the Town Council regarding creation of a Hazardville Local Historic District
Chairman Tatoian stated the above letters to the Troiano’s are acceptable and he will sign them on behalf of the Commission.
· Review of draft resolution to close the boundary of the Enfield Local Historic District to amend the insufficiencies of the original boundary description. Staff was asked to format a resolution request to send to the Town Council, which mentions closing the box on all sides, discusses several options to accomplish the main goal, and notes the HDC’s preferred method for the amendment process.
Mr. Alsbaugh distributed a document entitled “The Enfield Historic District Report – 05-25-2005.01 to the Enfield Town Council under CGS Section 7-147c (j) on “The Closure of the Enfield Local Historic District Boundary.” Mr. Alsbaugh saw a need to include some supporting documentation when this document is presented to the Town Council. He will include the statutes that he mentions in the document and will go into further depth about the discussions he has had with DOT and the State Historic Commission. Mr. Alsbaugh will also include a map for easy identification of properties mentioned.
Mr. Meyer asked if it is the intent that Chairman Tatoian go to the meeting to support the document. He also asked if it would be part of the presentation that the Commission is concerned that there are so many vehicles for sale within the District. Mr. Meyer saw a need for some preparation in order to answer any questions that may arise from the Council members.
Mr. Alsbaugh stated he will add some samples as an appendix. If someone asks a question, he can then refer them to the relevant appendix.
Mr. Alsbaugh stated this document will be sent to the Town Council when the final draft is compiled. He will send it to the Town Manager who will decide when to include it on an upcoming Council agenda.
Chairman Tatoian asked what the significance is of mentioning the three other properties. Mr. Alsbaugh stated it is his intent that the Council is clear regarding the District boundaries and what is included. He corrected his statement in the report that the Orin Thompson House is a discrete property in the District; the boundary description does extend out to include the building. The other two properties, 1489 King St. (AKA 1489 Enfield St.) and 1 Old King are discretely described properties in the Local District. All the separate boxes that make up the boundary description were, staff believes, identified as separate entities because incorrect advice was given to the local committee that was appointed to do the nomination process. Some discussion followed of particular properties within the District. Ms. Russell pointed out that Betty Smith’s address is 1489 Enfield Street (Addition to minutes, 6/1/05: Per Mrs. Russell’s request, staff subsequently researched the matter: the Town tracks and identifies the property as 1489 King Street, and the Smyth’s mailing address as determined by the U. S. Postal Service is 1489 Enfield St. Mrs. Russell also found some of the original nomination research that gave the property an Oliver Road address.)
Ms. Dean asked if the property at 42 Frew Terrace should be included. Mr. Alsbaugh stated it is his intent to update all the lists to include it. He can only speculate on why this property was not included in the District originally, but as it has frontage on Enfield Street within the boundary parameters it should have been included as were the two properties with Orbit Drive addresses.
Mr. Meyer proposed the Commission review a final draft next month with drawings or sketches to accompany the report. Mr. Alsbaugh stated he will put together a complete package and bring it back with the edits discussed this evening.
Hazardville Local Historic District – Reports of Informal Inquiries
Mr. Alsbaugh presented a report to the Commission entitled “Preliminary List of Issues and Projects Relating to the ERSC’s Charge as outlined in the Enfield Town Council Resolution No. 5448.” It was his intent to take things from this document and incorporate them into a report so that there are stronger supporting reasons for bringing forward a possible Hazardville Local Historic District. This report references documents that the Council has approved. He asked that the Commission review this document in greater detail.
Mr. Alsbaugh stated it is his intent to present a formal report next month to this commission on a proposed Hazardville Local Historic District. He plans to tie in the documents and relate the concepts for historic preservation that the Council has taken a strong position on in his report.
Mr. Meyer reported on his activities regarding Hazardville. He talked to a member of the REMAX Real Estate firm and a member of the Executive Committee of the Hazardville Institute. Both would support the concept of a local historic district in Hazardville.
Responding to a question from Mr. Polaski, Mr. Alsbaugh stated the proposed Hazardville Local Historic District would replicate the existing Hazardville National Register Historic District. This includes all the historic buildings north of Hazard Avenue but not the developments of newer homes. It would include most of the industrial buildings in back of the properties fronting Hazard Avenue and the ones on the south side of Hazard including a few neighborhoods that go back a little ways. It would also include the huge original Hazard Powder Company (subsequently owned by DuPont) lands in Powder Hollow. The eastern end begins at Park Street on the north of Hazard Avenue and around 470 Hazard Ave. on the south side of the street.
Mr. Alsbaugh stated he recommended using the boundary of the Hazardville National Register District for the new Hazardville Design District A, but the recommendations of the consultant to only include the Hazard Avenue properties in the National District as Phase I were utilized by the PZC.
Mr. Alsbaugh stated he has the ability to generate a fairly good National Register map. Mr. Meyer asked that the Commission receive a copy of this map at their next meeting.
Mr. Gwozdz reported he met with Scott Kaupin and he is enthusiastic about the Commission’s plans for Hazardville.
In response to another question, Mr. Alsbaugh noted a three-quarter vote of the property owners in the proposed district is necessary to endorse such a local historic district for Hazardville. The procedure is to first go before the Town Council and get their support. They would have to pass a resolution to proceed with the district nomination process, and at the same time approve funding the process. Mr. Alsbaugh noted the town would be eligible for some funding from the Connecticut Trust for this purpose, but a successful application for funds is always uncertain. The nomination application is sent to the State Historic Preservation Officer, who will then decide whether the nomination can proceed formally as an application through the State Historic Council for approval by the Department of the Interior. Public hearings would be required, as well as the aforementioned vote by the property owners. Other costs include hiring a certified architectural historian because they are required to do a study. A proposal is brought forward to the State Historic Preservation Officer. If he approves the proposal, it goes forward under his auspices.
OTHER BUSINESS
Mr. Alsbaugh reported Bill Hosely has agreed to participate in any Preservation Week activities planned.
Ms. Troiano proposed an idea for the Commission’s consideration. She brought up a company, American Heritage, that sells trees that are descendants from historic trees. She asked if the Commission would consider supporting some type of tree planting program in the District using such trees. Such activities could be done by the Women’s Club or the Garden Club and these historic trees could be planted along Enfield Street with a plaque installed by each tree. She noted she has one of these trees in her yard, a tulip poplar, and she distributed pictures of this tree along with the catalog from American Heritage. Ms. Dean thought this was an outstanding idea. Further discussion of particular trees followed.
Some discussion followed regarding 1300 and 1302 Enfield Street and the possibility of trees being removed because of roots extending into the water mains. Further discussion of this property followed.
Mr. Alsbaugh will present the Commission with information on the Elm trees he previously discussed for the next meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Russell made a motion, seconded by Ms. Smyth, to adjourn. Following a unanimous vote, the Commission adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Nancy Smyth, Clerk
Enfield Historic District Commission
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