ENFIELD HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION

MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING

APRIL 27, 2005

A Regular Meeting of the Enfield Historic District Commission was held on Wednesday, January 26, 2004, re-located to the Thompsonville Room, Enfield Town Hall, 820 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut. Chairman Tatoian called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. The usual recording secretary, Mrs. Ruggerio, was not present. Because the meeting consisted of staff reports (available for review) and general discussions (permanent files exist for all matters under discussion), the meeting was not taped. As staff usually forgets to turn the tape on when needed, the Commission was willing to proceed with staff notes for transformation into the minutes.

PRESENT: Richard Tatoian, Chairman

Russell Meyer

Nancy Smyth

Eileen Russell

Lillian Troiano, Alternate

Raymond Gwozdz, Alternate

ALSO PRESENT: Roger Alsbaugh, Assistant Town Planner

As the meeting consisted of reports from staff and items of general discussion, all members participated fully.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

There were no scheduled public hearings on the agenda.

HDCR - Review files, determinations of need for certificates of appropriateness:

Staff presented HDCR0016 / 1204 Enfield St. to the members. The owners' proposal involved closing in a rear porch and adding a sunroom on the south side of the rear el. Staff determined no certificate of appropriateness was required as, per the state statute, no exterior changes would be visible from a public street. A permanent HDCR record file will be maintained for verification of the work when begun and completed.

MINUTES

Approval of the 1/26/05 minutes was tabled until the May 25, 2005 Regular Meeting.

STAFF REPORT

Deziel garage update

Photos of the finished garage door replacement project were passed out to members to verify compliance with the original approval certificate of appropriateness.

Wilson-Haas Barn update

Photos of the barn at various stages of dismantling were distributed to the members. It was confirmed that that Mr. Grant has stored the timbers out of the elements, and that the barn will be re-constructed on his agricultural property in Enfield. Mr. Meyer confirmed though a discussion with someone familiar with the Conservation Corps Museum site that the sledge saw that was donated by the town is indeed stored inside for protection at the museum.

NRHD Reviews (Mele, 45-47 Bigelow Avenue)

Staff presented a report on the remodeling of this structure, noting that prior to the work all exterior elements (siding, trim, windows, slate roof) were original - a rarity in the national district in Thompsonville. Attempts to inform the owners of their options for work on the structure, though complete and non-binding were ultimately not used. Mrs. Russell noted that this building had originally been owned by her mother; the commission found the situation very disturbing and noted that this particular incident clearly indicates the lack of protections of historic resources at the national register district designation level. The commission is looking forward to the final design guidelines for the TVC zone, as well as the forthcoming recommendations for zone expansion and national district boundary expansion.

Mr. Alsbaugh passed out copies of the May / June 2005 issue of the Forum News.

CORRESPONDENCE - Correspondence was held over for the next meeting in May

DISCUSSIONS

Hazardville Local Historic District

The Commission reviewed the implications of making such a recommendation to the Council. It was decided to investigate any consensus or concerns at a general level; results will be presented as updates at the May 2005 Regular Meeting. Mssrs. Gwozdz, Meyer, and Polaski were appointed as sub-committee participants to begin informal canvassing.

Enfield Local District - boundary clarification

The Commission asked staff to format a proposed resolution on the subject, which will be discussed at the May Regular Meeting and then passed on to the Town Council as a recommendation for an amendment to the Enfield Historic District Ordinance (boundary description). The memo accompanying the resolution will contain various options and issues as have been researched by staff, while the resolution itself will contain the Commission's preferred method of solution.

Preservation Month Activities

Several options for Preservation Month 2005 observances and activities were identified. An attempt will be made to schedule the three to four events on Sundays in the month of May to allow other groups, individuals and agencies to participate.

ADJOURNMENT

Mr. Polaski made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Russell, to adjourn. Following a unanimous vote, the Commission adjourned at 7:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

____________________________

Nancy Smyth, Clerk

Enfield Historic District Commission

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