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WASHINGTON HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
MINUTES
May 18, 2015
PUBLIC HEARING AND REGULAR MEETING
Members Present:
Members Absent:
Alternates Present:
Staff Present:
Others:
Jane Boyer, Tom Hollinger, George Krimsky
Phyllis Mills, Alison Gilchrist
Sally Woodroofe, Susan Averill
Janice Roberti
Deborah Eldridge
PUBLIC HEARING
7:30 PM
Deborah Eldridge/4 Parsonage Lane/roof replacement
Ms. Boyer opened the Public Hearing at 7:30 PM to consider the application for a Certificate of
Appropriateness submitted by Deborah Eldridge, 4 Parsonage Lane, Washington CT for a roof
replacement. The Legal Notice which appeared in Voices on May 9 and May 10, 2015 was read by the
commission clerk. Ms. Boyer seated Members T. Hollinger and G. Krimsky, Alternate S. Woodroofe for
A. Gilchrist and Alternate S. Averill for Phyllis Mills.
The Commission reviewed the document provided by the contractor, Mario Lallier, LLC of Winsted CT.
Ms. Eldridge provided the commission with a Survey Map, photographs and a color chart for the metal
roof color selections. Ms. Eldridge’s choice is Slate Gray which would blend into the neighborhood.
Mr. Hollinger asked if the porch roofing would be done. Yes. Mr. Hollinger asked if the eaves will be
changed. No. Will the gutters be copper? Yes. Mr. Krimsky said that copper roofs patina over time but
with metal roofing, it remains the same. Ms. Eldridge said that she has taken extremely great care in
maintaining the home and in keeping it original. She said that since Ms. Zemma White’s COA for a
metal roof at 6 Parsonage lane was granted the same consideration in approving her COA should be
considered.
Ms. Boyer asked if there were any more questions or comments. There were none.
MOTION:
To close the Public Hearing to consider the application for a Certificate of
Appropriateness submitted by Deborah Eldridge, 4 Parsonage Lane, Washington CT. By
Ms. Boyer, seconded by G. Krimsky and passed 5 to 0.
REGULAR MEETING
Ms. Boyer called the meeting to order at 8:00 PM and re-seated Members Krimsky, Hollinger, and
Alternates Woodroofe for Gilchrist and Averill for Mills.
MOTION:
To continue the Public Hearing to consider the application for a Certificate of
Appropriateness submitted by Deborah Eldridge, 4 Parsonage Lane, Washington CT for
roof replacement. By Ms. Averill, seconded by Mr. Krimsky and passed 5 to 0.
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Pending Applications/Business
Deborah Eldridge/4 Parsonage Lane/roof replacement from cedar shingle to metal
Mr. Krimsky said that based on the damage that has been done to the interior of the house due to
problems current roof and since the HDC is in the preservation business putting a metal roof on the home
may help to preserve the entire the structure.
Ms. Boyer added that the current roof was put on by someone else and perhaps it wasn’t a good roof. She
said that her house has had cedar shake shingles for 45 – 50 years and was replaced once in that amount
of time. She said there are methods available such as sealants or other preventive materials that can be put
underneath the shingles to prevent water backing up into the house. Mr. Krimsky added a bit of general
information and relayed that there was incredible damage this past winter to homes In Washington due to
water backup and leaking into houses.
Ms. Woodroofe said that we all need to remember that we are not just talking about one house but an
overall district that has a certain cohesiveness to it. We need to keep this in mind when making decisions.
Ms. Woodroofe stated that she did not think a metal roof is appropriate in our historic district.
Ms. Boyer feels strongly about points made on both sides but in the end concurred with Ms. Woodroofe
about the roof not being appropriate in Washington’s Historic District.
A discussion followed concerning what the future held for historic districts in general regarding moving
forward environmentally. Some examples stated were solar panels, vinyl shutters, reproduction materials.
Ms. Boyer asked if there were any more questions and comments and there were none.
MOTION:
To approve the application for a Certificate of Appropriateness submitted by Deborah
Eldridge, 4 Parsonage Lane, Washington for the allowance of metal roofing on the main
house and porches to replace the existing wood shake shingles.
YES VOTES – George Krimsky, Tom Hollinger, Susan Averill
NO VOTES – Jane Boyer, Sally Woodroofe
Other Business
A. Design Guidelines
Mr. Hollinger stated that the commission was going to review revisions made by members and asked if
they wanted to do this at this meeting or schedule a separate meeting. Ms. Woodroofe was concerned
because Alternate L. Van Tartwijk, who contributed so much recently, was not present at this meeting.
Ms. Boyer said the meeting will be held in the town hall and will be a public meeting. Mr. Hollinger
suggested that Ms. Boyer email members and alternates to see what their availability is. A segment of the
meeting should be devoted to Rules and Regulations. Mr. Hollinger said that the commission has lots to
discuss - metal roofs, solar panels, new situations that may arise with the changing times.
B. Notice of violation Klemm, Ives Road, silo restoration – Discussion
MOTION:
To table the discussion of the Klemm silo violation, Ives Road. By Mr. Hollinger,
seconded by Ms. Boyer and passed 5 to 0.
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C. Review new application for window replacements at 84 Green Hill Road/Jay Kassis, representative
for 84 Green Hill Road, LLC
It was determined that the application did not provide sufficient information for the commission to act
upon. The clerk will send a letter to Mr. Kassis requesting additional specific details.
Consideration of the minutes
April 20, 2015
Correction, Page, 1st paragraph, last sentence, correct “Elliott Johnson” to “Eliot Johnson”.
Revision, Page 1, Paragraph 2 under Susan and Sam Averill. Revise sentence to read “The Averills told
the commissioners they would prefer not to install a window on each gable facing south. It would serve
no useful purpose they said. The Averills said they would comply with the Commission’s decision.”
Correction, Page 2, 6th & 7th sentence down, should read “Mr. Hollinger asked each of the two
commissioners for comments. Ms. Gilchrist reiterated that adding an additional window to the two gables
would serve several purposes.”
Revision, Page 2, 11th & 12th sentence – Delete “Having two windows will give the home an aesthetically
pleasing appearance. With only one window, the front of the house looks off balance.”
Correction, Page 2, 2nd paragraph, 5th sentence should read “Ms. Van Tartwijk and Ms. Woodroofe
concurred with Ms. Gilchrist.”
MOTION:
To include subsequent business not already posted on the Agenda: Discuss 135
Calhoun Street, James Murdoch owner, EM Rose Builders – Roof replacement
without building permit or HDC COA application. By Ms. Woodroofe, seconded
by Mr. Hollinger and passed 5 to 0.
135 Calhoun Street, Post Factor Roof replacement by Contractor
The clerk emailed the commission members a Post Factor Building Application Form provided to the
HDC in person by the Building Assistant, Lisa Easter. Mr. Jenks needed to know if the HDC had signed
off on this. The clerk explained that this was the first time seeing the form. Mr. Jenks, Building Inspector,
needed the HDC to issue a memo for his building files stating that a COA was not required. Members
drove by 135 Calhoun to determine if the new roof that the contractor had already installed was visible
from the street. Since this all occurred Post Facto, it was the consensus of the commission to create a
template for a notification to homeowners and builders should this occur in the future.IMPORTANT
NOTE: THIS IS A REFERENCE TEMPLATE ONLY.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Property Owner Name
Address
Date
Dear -------:
Our Commission, established under Subsection 7-147c (e) of the Connecticut General Statutes, is
responsible for reviewing and acting upon any exterior changes to a structure in Washington's three
historic district if that structure is visible from a public road or path.
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Even if the structure is not apparently visible from public view, we require written notification of any
intended exterior changes within our geographic mandate, in this case the (name the district).
If a structure could be visible without a current barrier of trees or other natural flora, the Commission
requires a property owner to submit an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness that the
Commission will review and act upon after a public hearing. If it can be demonstrated that the
structure in question would not be visible from the road, absent of trees or brush, the Commission will
inform you that a COA is not necessary and you may proceed.
This does not address the authority of other town agencies in regard to intended property revisions.
Please notify us in writing on this matter as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Name of Chairman or Vice Chairman
Washington Historic District Commission
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MOTION:
To adjourn. By Mr. Hollinger
Ms. Boyer adjourned the meeting at 9:45 PM.
Dated: May 26, 2015 – Delayed due to Memorial Day Holiday March 25, 2015
By:
_______________________________________
Janice Roberti, Historic District Clerk