Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes
Historic District Commission meeting minutes
Wednesday, October 27
Meeting was held at the Selectmen's Meeting Room in the Town Hall
Meeting was called to order by Rebecca at 7:04pm
Rebecca Schwarz, Howard Brown, Mary Katherine McNamara, Doug Irvine, Karolin Campbell and JoAnn Kitchel were in attendance.
Documents were provided from Karolin that Carole Keeney worked on before she moved from town. These documents are architectural change guidelines, Rules of Procedure and the Town of Mont Vernon Historic District Ordinance. The documents state that they were approved and adopted, however the ladies in the office (Joan and Laurie) have no record of these documents. Rebecca also brought along documents with revisions noted and changed in 1985, and a map of the historic district that was last updated in 1979. Howard will look over the updated records and compare them with the old records to see if they suit our needs. Our commission must submit any changes to the Selectboard and they will then have the option of approving and putting the new guidelines in place. Howard will make sure this will be on the agenda for the Selectboard on Monday night. The town has no record of our minutes in the past. We are starting fresh moving forward, being sure to submit minutes.
Discussion was started on the application of a home on Cemetery Road for the building of an attached shed. The property owners have received a cease and desist order. The shed is small enough that the owners don't need a building permit, but they need to come before our Commission because they are in the historic district. The owner would like this building winterized. The Commission has many questions regarding this building project.
Discussion of the historic district map: Rebecca did some research, and found 70 houses in the district. Almost all are owner occupied. There are at least two rentals and a couple of part time residences. Discussion that there are some homes that we believe should be added. The map seems incomplete, with some houses not on the map, and others that aren't included at all. We will try to discover how to make changes to the map, if needed. Howard will research how the map is depicted. Discussion of Old Amherst Road homes that are not listed and whether these homes should be under the umbrella of the historic district. Do we have the power to change the map? The Selectboard? A Vote? Will home owners resist being added? Doug suggested putting together a pdf of all properties and current ownership. Howard will look into this situation.
Discussion of the Christmas walk: The library would like to participate somehow. Heritage Commission and the Historical Society are working together for the first annual village holiday walk, set for December 11th the same day as the Christmas Tree Lighting. Postcards are coming in directly. Information will be in the flyer. The idea is that people will meet in the Town Hall. Recreation is not sure if the building can be utilized. Music and singers would be lovely. Girl Scouts will sing. Mary Katherine might be able to find professional singers to join in. Library has offered their space if the Town Hall is not available. Historical Society will provide docents for the walk. Participating households will be asked to decorate if they would like to be included. Two free tickets and the Mont Vernon Book of Households to all participating households in the village may be an option. The purchase of the books is still up in the air as to how the books will be paid for. This is a feel good event with a little bit of a fundraiser. Perhaps a donation jar may be put out. Luminaries? All three committees will meet to discuss on November 10th at the library at 7:00. Our group is meeting on the same day at 6:30 at the Town Hall for the hearing of 9 Cemetery Rd.
Mary Katherine asked the difference of the Commissions. The Heritage Commission was made to protect historic structures in all of Mont Vernon, such as buildings, fields and stone walls. They can advocate to protect these structures. The Historic District Commission is concerned with structures in the historic district only. Neither commission is considered nonprofit, but rather town entities. The Heritage Commission is a resource for the preservation of historic structures.
The Historic District Commission is allotted no less than 5 and no more than 7 regular members. There is the Chair, the vice chair, the selectmen's rep and the secretary. Mary Katherine was invited to become our sixth regular member. Howard motioned, Doug seconded, motioned carried.
Last month's minutes were approved as amended. Karolyn motioned, Mary Katherine seconded, motioned carried.
Time was permitted for members to discuss items not on the agenda.
Meeting adjourned at 8:37
Respectfully submitted,
JoAnn Kitchel, Secretary