The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My Public Portal About20141113 - Hopkinton Historic District Commission - Meeting Minutes1 HOPKINTON HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES November 13, 2014 PRESENT: Beth Kelly, Chairman; Michael Auen, Amy Ritterbusch, Melanie Smith, Stacy Spies, Jeanette Thomson, Claire Wright ALSO ATTENDING: Jamie Hellen, Exec. Asst. to Town Manager The meeting was called to order at 6:30 P.M. The minutes of the October 16, 2014 meeting were approved. Recycling Containers on Town Common: Laura Connelly, Chair of the Sustainable Green Committee, came to the Commission to discuss placing permanent recycling containers on the Town Common to capture recyclables in addition to the regular trash. Ms. Spies noted that children are accustomed to recycling and look for recycling containers. Ms. Kelly asked if there would be 2 separate pick‐ups. Ms. Connelly explained that, as with curbside recycling, the trash and recyclables are separate collections. DPW director John Westerling added that the DPW empties the trash barrels on the Common but Harveys would pick up the recycling. Mr. Auen suggested putting the containers on the corners of the Common rather than beside the benches, but Ms. Kelly countered that this would encourage people to pull up and drop off trash. She suggested that perhaps when picking up the trash, the DPW could move the recycling barrels to the corners for pick‐up by Harveys, as long as they were returned to their places beside the benches. The Commission agreed that recycling containers on the Common would provide a good service and suggested that a style should be selected that matches or complements the existing barrels, in either black or a dark color. Ms. Connelly showed pictures of some available containers. She said they would probably have removable inserts. The Commission suggested that the Sustainable Green Committee choose a style or styles and return to the board for a vote on a specific barrel. Ms. Wright recommended posting the meeting as a public hearing and voting on a Certificate of Non‐Applicability because the barrels are not permanent structures. Center School Sidewalk: John Westerling, DPW Director, and Norman Khumalo, Town Manager, came before the board to discuss the construction of a sidewalk in front of Center School, which was halted for lack of a certificate from the HDC. Ms. Kelly recused herself from the meeting as a direct abutter to the project. Mr. Hellen explained that the Town started the construction believing HDC approval was not needed because the project fell under section 123‐6 of the HDC bylaw as an alteration to an existing walkway. Ms. Wright 2 countered that it was new construction. Ms. Thomson stated that an alteration cannot be made to something that does not already exist, and there has been lawn there, not sidewalk. Ms. Wright noted that the School Department came to the Commission in Oct., 2013 to discuss pavement in front of Center School and submitted an HDC application for a Certificate of Appropriateness, which was withdrawn in favor of trying a less intrusive solution. She said this proved the Town was aware that an HDC application and certificate was needed. Members agreed that there is an unsafe situation at the drop‐off area at Center School. Mr. Westerling showed plans for the 5 ½ ft. ADA compliant sidewalk with a 6” granite curb, which includes ADA ramps on the ends and in the middle. He addressed concerns that the HDC had about the earlier proposal regarding proximity to the Hoyt statue and damage to the trees. He stated that the new sidewalk will be several feet further away from the Hoyt statue, rather than the 2’ distance in the old plan. He also said the sidewalk will be several feet further away from the trees, and no roots have been encountered while digging. He showed a photo of an orange barrel used to keep vehicles away from the drop off area which had been run over, indicating that the strategy of using barrels did not work. Ms. Kelly asked if “No Parking” signs would be mounted in the concrete, but Mr. Westerling said they will be installed behind the sidewalk. Ms. Thomson asked about the present cross‐hatched area. Mr. Westerling said it will remain and said there will be no new signs. Ms. Wright stated that the Commission understands there is an unsafe situation and she feels the new plan is a big improvement over the 8’ of pavement that was proposed last year. She said that regardless, there is a process the Town must adhere to, the same as its citizens. She said it would not be appropriate for the Commission to hold the Town to a different standard than other applicants, and the HDC by‐laws must be applied equally. She noted that the DPW brought the Ash St. sidewalk plan to the Planning Board for permission to remove trees and stonewall under the requirements of the Scenic Road by‐law, and the HDC by‐law must also be complied with by the Town. Mr. Khumalo said he agrees that the Town must abide by the HDC by‐law in the same manner as others. He stated he is concerned that the open construction site now creates an unsafe situation. He also said there is a financial concern because the Town has negotiated a very favorable price for the concrete, which is scheduled to be poured next Wednesday. Ms. Thomson pointed out that the situation has been created because the right procedures were not followed, and the Town has created its own hardship. She added that the project is clearly new construction and thereby subject to the by‐law. Mr. Hellen said the town saw it as an alteration. Mr. Auen said he agrees it is an alteration. Ms. Thomson said allowing this issue to slide will set a precedent for the next violation. Ms. Spies said pulling up an 3 existing sidewalk for a replacement is not the same as new construction. Ms. Thomson said there is a procedure that needs to be followed, but the plan seems acceptable. Ms. Wright said that although a public hearing would require a 14‐day notification and publication in a newspaper, the by‐law provides a method of expediting the certificate if the abutters agree in writing to waive the public hearing. She said the “direct abutters” must be notified, and they are the three property owners directly abutting the Center School site, the Kellys and Pavlovs on either side and the Stoddards behind the school. She suggested posting a meeting for Tues. Nov. 18, getting a letter out to these abutters tomorrow asking for them to waive the public hearing, and planning to issue the HDC certificate on Nov. 18 if the waivers are all received. The Commissioners and applicant agreed to this approach. Mr. Hellen said he will post the meeting for Nov. 18 at 6:30 P.M., Ms. Wright said she will write the letter to abutters and send it to the Town Manger’s office, and Mr. Westerling agreed to hand‐deliver the letter to the abutters. The Commissioners voted unanimously to take this action. 300th Anniversary Commemorative Stones: Ms. Kelly returned to the board at this time. Scott Richardson, representing the 300th Anniversary Celebration Committee, came to the board to discuss plans for two commemorative stones, to be placed in the gazebo and in front of Town Hall, in the blank circular spots created there for these stones. He said they will both display the town seal and will be etched in granite but will not be colorized. Mr. Auen asked about their size. Mr. Richardson stated the one inside the gazebo will be 2’ across, and the one at Town Hall will be slightly smaller. Ms. Wright suggested the final design be presented at a public hearing. Fountain Update: Ms. Spies said she attended a meeting of the Parks & Rec. Commission’s Fountain Restoration Subcommittee as the HDC representative. She said the subcommittee has had difficulty determining exactly how much money is available for the fountain project. She said the subcommittee wanted her to be a voting member but she is uncomfortable with voting, seeing it in conflict with her duties as an HDC member. Ms. Wright cautioned her to make clear to the Fountain Restoration Subcommittee that her participation on the subcommittee does not mean HDC approval for their plans or substitute for making proper application to the HDC. The board discussed the process for preparing an RFP for the project. They noted the risk of a preliminary design unacceptable to the HDC going out in the RFP and creating costly backtracking. The board asked Ms. Spies to stress that the HDC should be consulted on the design while the RFP is being prepared and before it is issued. Town Common Tree Planting: Ms. Ritterbusch reported that she attended a meeting of the Parks & Recreation Committee and asked about the tree planting on the Town Common. She said she was told there would be no more tree planting, and the Commission feels the Common looks fine as it is. Ms. Kelly reported that a letter was sent to Parks & Rec. by the HDC, as voted at the Oct. meeting, but to date she has received no response. Ms. Wright 4 read the letter for the board. Ms. Kelly said she would like the HDC to meet with the Parks & Rec. Commission to discuss this and other issues, but they seem unwilling to even allow the HDC a spot on their agenda. The Commissioners concurred that it is poor policy for town boards to be unwilling to communicate with each other. The board suggested Ms. Kelly ask for a direct meeting between the boards, beyond just a phone call, to understand each other’s positions and improve communication. Mr. Hellen recommended the HDC think about ways for the HDC to communicate its presence and purpose to the public. Ms. Wright said the 5 bronze “Historic District” signs installed recently downtown and in Woodville are one effort at such communication. The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Claire Wright Secretary  Materials Used: Center School Sidewalk – DPW site plan Approved: Nov. 18, 2014