BROOKFIELD

HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION

BROOKFIELD CONNECTICUT 06804

 

 

 


Minutes of the Historic District Commission

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Brookfield Town Hall

 

R E V I S E D

 

Addition to the “Final motions on above applications” section should include:

R. Brown motioned to table the vote on application 2010-02 and 2010-03; K. Archer seconded, all approved.

 

 

Call to Order:                 The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m. by Chairperson Jacqueline Salame

 

Members Present:          Jacqueline Salame, Chairperson; Robert Brown, Vice Chairperson; Kevin Archer, Rosemary Erb-Fawcett, Harold Proudfoot, Elaine Rajcula,

 

Members Absent:           Peter Bertolami, Liz De Lambert

 

Others Present:              Noelle Bartlam and Dennis Kardaris of 142 Whisconier Road;

Lawrence Hurlburt of 188 Whisconier Road; and

 Fr. George O’Neill, pastor of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church

 

 

Public hearing for Application 2010-02 opened at 7:12 p.m.:

 

Ø  Application 2010-02:  Noelle Bartlam & Dennis Kardaris, 142 Whisconier Road for the addition of a fenced enclosure on four sides of their property.

 

The proposal is to either move the existing picket fence from the back and side yard and install it even with the back of the house, parallel to the road, or install a split rail fence. The homeowners’ preference is to replace the existing picket fence with a new double picket fence in the front and single picket on the left side of the property, and install a four foot high black chain link fence in the back and on the right side of the house where there is currently no fence.  The fence on the right side of the house is behind bushes and is not visible from the road.

 

R. Brown motioned to close the public hearing at 7:53; R. Erb-Fawcett seconded, all approved.

 

 

The public hearing for Application 2010-03 was opened at 8 p.m.

 

Ø  Application 2010-03:  Noelle Bartlam & Dennis Kardaris, 142 Whisconier Road for the addition of a circular drive entering and exiting on the Route 25 (front) of the property.

 

The current parking area has two spaces in front of the garage as well as two parking spaces on the right side of the property.  All these parking areas are graded at moderate angles.  The homeowners want to create a driveway that is more level with the road and focus on where the front door will eventually be placed in the sun room area on the left side of the house.  Currently, there is no front door to the house.  Access to the downstairs part of the home is through the garage.  The proposal includes an asphalt driveway.

 

R. Brown motioned to close the public hearing at 8:10; R. Erb-Fawcett seconded, all approved.

 

The public hearing for Application 2010-04 was opened at 8:15 p.m.

 

Ø  Application 2010-04:  Lawrence R. Hurlburt, 188 Whisconier Road for the repair and restoration of the foundation and siding; window replacement all at the southeast section of the house.

 

Larry Hurlburt received a violation letter on July 8 regarding the temporary porch configuration approved by the Commission.  He responded by sending a letter to the Commission discussing at length the plans he has for his home.

 

The current application is to repair the foundation on the rear wall of the house, and to replace the kitchen which is not historic to the house.  The wall sill plate was at grade level and has some deterioration, and there is a pronounced sag and softening of the kitchen floor indicating the state of the wall and foundation.

 

The repair is the raise the floor, place gravel on the outside of the foundation with mortar on the top and then replace some of the siding until the entire house is resided in the future.

 

It was suggested to put gravel and perforated pipe to increase the drainage against the back foundation.

 

The kitchen window will be replaced with an Anderson double casement window with divided lights and the spacers in the middle of the panes.

 

R. Brown motioned to close the public hearing at 8:10; E. Rajcula seconded, all approved.

 

Final motions on above applications is as follows:

 

R. Brown motioned to accept Application 2010-04 as submitted; K. Archer seconded, all approved.

 

R. Brown motioned to table the violation letter that was sent to the homeowners of 188 Whisconier Road; K. Archer seconded, all approved.

 

All public hearings closed at 8:55 p.m.

 

Prehearings:

 

Ø  St. Joseph’s Church/Parish House, 163 Whisconier Road for the addition of a storage shed and the installation of a 9 foot wood crucifix to the parish complex.

 

George O’Neill, pastor from St. Joseph’s church, wants to erect a 9 foot tall crucifix on the eastern edge of the rocky knoll that is between the church and the rectory.  Center post will be 9 feet out of the ground and the cross piece will be proportional the height of the cross.  The cross would not be visible from any public right of way in the District.

 

The Commission does not have a problem with the nine foot height, but if it’s 15 feet high, then there will be a problem.  It was thought the 15 foot cross might be visible, especially in winter.

 

Fr. O’Neill also wants to place a storage shed that would be tucked in the corner of the same rocky knoll, just behind the former convent near the electrical box. The church is located at the junction of Route 25 and 133.  Fr. O’Neill will check with Bill Schappert as to the size of the shed that is allowed without requiring a zoning permit.  The shed will not be visible from any public right of way.

 

On another issue involving the former convent, K. Archer contacted the State Department of Transportation regarding the sidewalk in front of the convent.  This was originally discussed at the February 4, 2010 meeting.  The sidewalk in question may be on State property and the State may repair the walkway and extend the sidewalk to the corner of Route 133.  More information will be provided in future Commission meetings.

 

Ø  Kevin Archer, 20 Long Meadow Hill Road for the addition of a pool fence.

 

Replace existing fence with a 4 foot high black aluminum fence with a square top rising above the top rail. 

 

 

Business Meeting opened at 10:05 p.m.:

 

Previous Minutes:

 

R. Erb-Fawcett moved to accept the July 5, 2010 meeting minutes as submitted.  R. Brown seconded; all approved.

 

Budget for the Historic District Commission is $-325.59 as of August 4, 2010. 

 

Old Business:

 

K. Archer spoke with Dennis DiPinto.  The library stair railing that was installed by the eagle scout on the north side is going to be replaced.  Per order of letter sent to First Selectman, Bill Davidson on January 22, 2010.

 

R. Brown spoke with Terry Fiddler regarding the outstanding circumstances on the COA dating back to June 4, 2009 regarding the design modification to the foundation finish material.  T. Fiddler said she will speak with her husband, Ed.  If we don’t hear from the Fiddlers in two weeks, a violation letter will be sent.

 

New Business:

 

Anne W. Stillman property at 9 Winding Road is in ongoing deterioration.  A letter has been mailed to A. Stillman encouraging her to improve the condition of her property.  The Brookfield Building Inspector will examine the property at the same time he reviews the violations at 10 Winding Road for Drew Osgood’s violations.

 

The small house owned by the Brookfield Library is in serious decline, and overgrown with weeds and foliage.  J. Salame will send the Library Directors a letter.

 

The meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Jane Brown

Secretary