By Jack Beckett, Senior Writer, The Farmington Mercury
The Farmington Historic District Commission met on February 25, deliberating over a series of applications that, in true Farmington fashion, were both routine and deeply consequential for the town’s historic fabric. What began as a straightforward discussion on window replacements quickly turned into a debate over noise, signage, and—perhaps most controversially—whether frozen ground should dictate historic preservation policy.
Miss Porter’s School: The Battle Against Road Noise
Jackie Murray, representing Miss Porter’s School at 54 Main Street, made her case for replacing windows in the school’s Jones Building, a structure primarily used for language instruction.
“The main reason for this is noise,” Murray explained. “When our students are in these classrooms and a truck goes by, it sounds like you’re sitting on the sidewalk.”
The proposed replacements—Marvin aluminum-clad windows with simulated divided light bars—match those previously approved for 64 Main Street and 80 Main Street.
Commissioner Joanne Lawson sought clarification: “You’re duplicating the existing windows with the same number of panes and configuration?”
Murray confirmed: “That’s correct. Our goal is to get it to look as original as possible.”
The application also included a request to replace the Jones Building’s door. Murray cited similar concerns: “The door is very old and due for an upgrade. It’s a large meeting room, and when trucks go by, it’s incredibly loud.”
Commissioners had no objections. The motion to approve passed unanimously.
Frozen Ground Halts Historic Sign Installation at 63 Main Street
With the window discussion wrapped, the commission turned to another Miss Porter’s School request: a temporary modification to a previously approved sign installation at 63 Main Street.
Winter weather had made it impossible to install the signposts, which required digging into frozen ground. Murray requested permission to temporarily mount the sign on the fence of Humphrey Dorm until conditions improved.
Commissioner Shannon Rutherford suggested using metal posts instead. “If there’s truly no other option, then okay for the fence until the weather cooperates,” she said. “But I don’t want to get in the habit of signs all over fences.”
The commission approved a temporary workaround: metal posts until the ground thawed enough for permanent installation.
St. Patrick’s Church: A New Name, A New Sign, and A Fence for Safety
Father Matthew Warrick, pastor of Our Lady of Knock Parish, presented two proposals for St. Patrick Church at 110 Main Street:
- A new sign reflecting the merger of St. Patrick and St. Mary’s Star of the Sea into Our Lady of Knock Parish.
- An aluminum fence around the church’s HVAC equipment, installed primarily for safety due to the height of the retaining wall.
The sign, designed by SignPro, closely mirrors the existing one. “We’re keeping the same style, just with updated text,” Father Warrick explained.
Commissioner Henry Pertill inquired whether the stone base beneath the sign would change.
“That’s staying exactly the same,” Warrick said. “The new sign will just pop into the existing sleeves.”
The fence, a simpler version of the decorative ironwork across the street at the Noah Porter House, drew minor debate over its aesthetic compatibility. However, it was ultimately approved without modification.
A Historic House on Hart Street Inches Closer to Approval
The commission revisited an ongoing discussion regarding the placement of a new home at 88 Church Street, near the intersection with Hart Street. Architect Jack Kemper, representing the property’s owner, sought guidance on reducing the required 70-foot setback to 44 feet.
“The shorter driveway makes more sense,” Commissioner Michelle Phelan noted. “It aligns better with the rest of the homes.”
Ultimately, the commission approved a motion expressing no objection to the revised siting, though the final decision rests with Planning & Zoning.
Staff Report and Announcements
- Historic Expansion: The commission scheduled a March 25 public hearing to discuss adding One Mountain Spring Road and 729 Farmington Avenue to the Historic District.
- Brickwalk Lane Sign: A new business, Modern Skin Glow, was granted temporary permission to place a “Coming Soon” sign near its entrance.
The meeting ended with a farewell to Sandra Johnson, longtime commission administrator, who is retiring.
“Sandy has been keeping this place in order for years,” Chairman Jay Bambara said. “We’ll miss her patience, even with our crankiness.”
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About the Author
☕ Jack Beckett survives on black coffee and righteous indignation over misaligned signage. When not covering local government, he can be found debating the best place for a stop sign in Unionville.
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