HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MEETING

Minutes from Meeting of Tuesday, March 14, 2006

 

                                                           

The Meeting was called to order at 8:05 p.m. in Conference Room C of the Mansfield Town Hall

 

Attending:   Members: Gail Bruhn, Isobel Atwood, Jody Newmeyer, David Spencer, Anita Bacon

                    Non-Members:  Sam and Michelle Shifren, Sharlene Winkler, Mary Stanton

 

 

 

 

Mary Stanton, new Town Clerk for the Town of Mansfield was introduced.  A discussion was held to determine the best method to use in notifying new and existing home owners within historic districts of the regulations and procedures surrounding changes to the properties.  Mary agreed to check with the Town Assessor to determine a method by which properties might be flagged.  In a note back to the Chairman, Mary indicated that if the Historic District Committee can identify the addresses that fall within the districts, Kate Crowthers in the Assessor’s office will enter that information on the file cards for the properties.  Additionally, once a year or so, she could make arrangements to have labels printed that would be addressed to the current property owners and the Commission would then be able to send a letter to the current property owners.

 

Mary also suggested that the Commission prepare information on the Historic Districts for the Town Clerk which could be put on the Bulletin Board, or used for other purposes. 

 

Mary will continue to send out the minutes for the Commission, as well as the agenda for upcoming meetings.

 

Sam Shifrin presented an overview of the hydro plant reconstruction at the Kirby Mill site.  The building will be in the exact spot as the original structure, but the materials will need to be appropriate for the current usage.  The structure will be approximately the size of a three-car garage (32’ x 40’ by 25’ – 26’ high), with all utilities underground.  While the Shifrin’s would prefer to build the structure out of wood, that is not practical due to  moisture issues.  Suggestions for other materials were solicited from the Commission, and a preliminary drawing of a simple structure was presented for comments.  Commission members approved of the simplicity of the structure.  Further design details will be presented at the next Historic District Commission Meeting in April.   After that, a Public Hearing will be called.  Mr. Shifrin indicated that he is 1 ½ years into a 3-year application approval process with the FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission).   

 

Sharlene Winkler, 619 Storrs Road discussed with the Commission her plans to add a wood stove to the existing structure within the Spring Hill Historic District.  Her plans involved “boxing out the existing chimney, and covering it with brick siding” in order to  hide the metal pipe.  Commission members suggested that a less costly and perhaps less obtrusive solution might be to run the pipe behind the existing chimney.  Ms. Winkler also asked for advice on fencing alternatives, and will return to the group when she has further details on the projects.

 

Respectively Submitted,

 

Gail Bruhn

Chairman