By Jack Beckett
Farmington, CT – June 18, 2024
The Farmington Historic District Commission convened its monthly meeting yesterday at the Town Hall Council Chambers. This meeting, also accessible online, focused on several key issues affecting the town’s historic integrity. Town Planner Shannon Rutherford began the meeting with a roll call.
Roll Call:
- Joanne Lawson
- James Calciano
- Cliff Mix
- Michelle Phelan
- Jay Bambara (Chair)
- Alternates: Liz Gemski, Ted Sanford
- Absent: John Rennihan
Renewal by Anderson Application: The first agenda item was the continuation of a previous discussion regarding Renewal by Anderson’s application for the installation of windows at 96 Main Street. This item had been postponed due to missing members at the last meeting.
Chair Jay Bambara and Commissioner James Calciano led the discussion. They reviewed the windows to ensure they adhered to the commission’s standards, particularly concerning the absence of grills, which the commission typically does not approve for such installations.
James Calciano noted discrepancies at a different property on Hatter’s Lane, where installed windows did not match the commission’s approval. Town Planner Shannon Rutherford was tasked to investigate this matter further.
Following a detailed review and discussion, a motion to approve the application was made by Michelle Phelan and seconded by Cliff Mix. The vote was as follows:
- Joanne Lawson: Aye
- James Calciano: Aye
- Cliff Mix: Aye
- Michelle Phelan: Aye
- Jay Bambara: Aye
- Alternates Liz Gemski and Ted Sanford did not vote as full members were present.
The application was unanimously approved, confirming that the new windows adhered to the approved design specifications.
Bianca Signs Plus LLC Application: The second item on the agenda was an application by Bianca Signs Plus LLC for a temporary certificate of appropriateness to replace the sign at 771 Farmington Avenue. Unfortunately, due to technical difficulties, the representative was unable to address the commission.
The commission expressed the importance of direct communication for thorough review and decided to table this item until the next meeting. Chair Jay Bambara suggested that the applicant either ensure proper connectivity or attend in person next time.
Miss Porter’s School Cupola Railings: The third item was the application by Miss Porter’s School to replace the cupola railings at 60 Main Street. Jackie Murray represented the school, explaining the extensive rot affecting the current wood railings and proposing a durable PVC replacement that closely matches the original design.
The commission members asked detailed questions to ensure that the new material would maintain the historical integrity of the building. Murray assured them that the replacement would replicate the original structure’s appearance and dimensions closely.
Following the presentation, a motion to approve the application was made by Joanne Lawson and seconded by James Calciano. The vote was as follows:
- Joanne Lawson: Aye
- James Calciano: Aye
- Cliff Mix: Aye
- Michelle Phelan: Aye
- Jay Bambara: Aye
- Alternates Liz Gemski and Ted Sanford did not vote as full members were present.
The application was unanimously approved, allowing the school to proceed with the necessary repairs to preserve the building’s historic character.
Discussion and Future Work: Towards the end of the meeting, the commissioners discussed the approval process for window installations, emphasizing the need for meticulous record-keeping to ensure compliance with historical standards. The investigation into the Hatter’s Lane window discrepancy will be reported in the next meeting, which may lead to new guidelines or stricter enforcement measures.
Approval of Minutes: The commission reviewed and approved the minutes of the previous meeting. A motion to approve the minutes was made by Cliff Mix and seconded by Joanne Lawson. The vote was as follows:
- Joanne Lawson: Aye
- James Calciano: Aye
- Cliff Mix: Aye
- Michelle Phelan: Aye
- Jay Bambara: Aye
The minutes were unanimously approved.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned after the approval of the minutes, marking the end of a productive session focused on preserving Farmington’s historical character.
Acknowledgment: The We Are Farmington website is brought to you by Farmington Storage, located at 155 Scott Swamp Road. For more information, please call 860.777.4001. We extend our gratitude to Farmington Storage for their continuous support.
For more detailed updates on Farmington’s historic preservation efforts and other community news, visit We Are Farmington.
