The Town of Berlin
Historic District Commission
Town Hall · Berlin, CT 06037
A meeting of the Berlin Historical District Commission was called to order by Chairman Bruce Dalstrom at 7:00 PM on Monday, July 2, 2007 in Room 8 of the Berlin Town Hall, Berlin, CT.
Attendance:
Chairman Bruce Dalstrom, Commissioners Pam Pethigal, Brendan Rudge, Juliann Collazo, Lorraine Stub, Wayne Wright, and staff liaison Hellyn Riggins. Absent: Sue Skene.
A. Public Hearing on Certificates of Appropriateness:
1) Gary Holmes, 1188 Worthington Ridge, requesting to build an 8’ x 12’ tool shed
in the rear of the property.
Representing the application:
Mr. Holmes and William Charette, applicants, submitted a drawing with their application (on file) that explained their intent with the exterior of the tool shed. Mr. Holmes said he felt that the tool shed was really inconspicuous in the back of the property and can’t be seen from the abutting cemetery. Mr. Charette mentioned that he disassembled the shed and brought it with him from out of state and wants to put it up again. His daughter’s play room is on the second floor and he uses the first floor for his tools. He offered to paint the shingles or leave them natural according to the Commission’s wishes.
Action
J. Collazo moved to approve the request to build an 8’ x 12’ tool shed in the rear of the property at 1188 Worthington Ridge. Seconded by B. Rudge. The motion passed unanimously with the condition that the work be completed within a year (July 3, 2008).
2) Karen Morelli, Trustee, 754 Worthington Ridge, requesting to re-roof with architectural 30 year asphalt shingle to match existing roof.
Representing the application:
Realtor, Linda Tosta, for Karen Morelli, brought a sample shingle to show the color and selection of the type of architectural shingle being requested to re-roof the house. She also had pictures (on file), and mentioned that the windows would be painted, like for like. She reported it is in great need of repair and in order to sell the home, it must be replaced. She felt the color was more like the original roof than what is currently on it and it would be pleasing to the Commission. L. Stub asked if the gutters were going to be replaced. Ms. Tosta did not think the gutters had been priced or mentioned for this project. B. Dalstrom said that if the gutters did have to be replaced, and they were like for like, it could be included in the project if necessary.
Action
B. Rudge moved to approve the request to re-roof 754 Worthington Ridge with an architectural shingle. Seconded by L. Stub. The motion passed unanimously with the condition that the work be completed within a year (July 3, 2008).
3) Town of Berlin, 723 Worthington Meeting House, requesting to install (on a timer) a 250 watt metal halide fixture, approximately 40’ from front of building, behind the stone wall.
Representing the application:
Pam Pethigal and Lorraine Stub are on the Friends of the Worthington Meeting House and work with John Pajor, Building Superintendent to represent the application as presented. There was some discussion of neighbors possibly objecting to the light shining in the area, but notice was given in the paper and an opportunity to speak at the meeting if there were any known objections. H. Riggins wants the approval to be contingent upon J. Pajor working with her to review the proper installation for spillover and the hours (on the timer) that the light will be on. It would change with the seasons.
Action
J. Collazo moved to approve the installation of the light fixture contingent upon proper installation regarding spillover and the actual hours the light will be on at 723 Worthington Ridge. Seconded by W. Wright. B. Rudge recused himself from the vote, so Alternate Commissioner W. Wright was asked to vote. The motion passed unanimously.
4) Marvin Weiss, 992 Worthington Ridge, requesting to re-roof dwelling, approximately 8 squares with 25 year shingles.
Representing the application:
L. Stub reported that the applicant called her because they were going to be out of town for the holiday, but didn’t feel he needed to apply since the damage to the roof (by a tree during a storm) was actually not necessary because it was in the rear of the property. L. Stub apologized for the inconvenience and misunderstanding and dismissed the application.
The Commission hopes to work more closely with the Building Department to avoid future misunderstandings and interpretations of the Commission’s interests.
The application for Roy Wiseman, 121 Sunset Lane, to remove one of his three barns was continued.
Todd Levine, of The Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation, was contacted to list the barn in the Connecticut Preservation News. It seems that it is actually an uncommon design for a carriage because it is what’s called a bank barn, which means that it is characterized by the location of its main floor above grade, either through building on a hillside or by raising the building on a foundation.
H. Riggins will also be running an ad in the Berlin Citizen that says:
Historic barn proposed by owner to be demolished. Carriage barn is early 20th Century, tongue and groove sheathing with brick and field stone foundation. If interested in relocating barn, contact Berlin Planning Department for further info. 828-7060.
B. Audience of Citizens: None
C. Acceptance of Minutes:
A motion was made by J. Collazo, seconded by L. Stub, to accept the May 21, 2007 Public Hearing minutes as presented. The motion was passed unanimously.
A motion was made by B. Rudge, seconded by J. Collazo, to accept the June 4, 2007 minutes as presented. The motion was passed unanimously.
The acceptance of the minutes of the work session on June 18, 2007 were tabled until August.
D. Report of Chairman and Committee Reports: None
E. Report of Clerk:
Clerk J. Collazo reported that clerical support was the only expense during the month of June (report attached).
F. Old Business:
Roy Wiseman barn demolition was discussed under Public Hearings.
G. New Business: None
H. Adjournment:
A motion was made by J. Collazo, seconded by B. Rudge, to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 PM. The motion was passed unanimously.
The next meeting is scheduled for: Monday, August, 6, 2007.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lecia J. Paonessa
Recording Secretary