Historic District Commission
Tuesday, June 27, 2023
Meeting Minutes
HDC members present: Noel Greiner, Sarah Tibbetts, Rex Baker, Michael Price, Kathy Scott. Members absent: Kully Mindemann. Members of the public: Lida Stinchfield, Larry White
The chair called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
Agenda – Kathy Scott requested to add an update on the 2024 village road work project. The board voted in favor to approve the agenda as amended.
Minutes of 5/23 – Members voted in favor to approve the minutes as submitted.
Lawrence & Wendy White, 9 School Street (Map 32 – Lot 12) – applying for a modification to the previously approved design for the screened porch. Mr. White explained the proposal by the architect to add a 30” wall at the base of the screened porch, to protect the floor from weather and to prevent pets and children from damaging the screen. Construction on the porch was stopped by the homeowners pending approval of the HDC. The Whites also seek approval to replace the deteriorated wooden steps with granite on the front of the house and to install l-shaped granite steps on the side of the house.
The board noted that Historic Harrisville had reviewed and approved the proposed design change and application for granite steps. The HDC discussed that the granite would not be a finished stone but instead be similar to the existing granite steps at the adjacent school house. The applicants have no plans for handrails at this time. The board noted any requirement for handrails would come from the building inspector.
Members discussed whether the location of the screened porch at 18” above grade would require a certain height of wall trim. They subsequently moved and voted unanimously in favor to approve the White application, including any required modification to the exact height of the screened porch wall trim to meet the building code.
Lida Stinchfield, 5 School Street (Map 32 – Lot 13) – applying to install a generator adjacent to the southeast corner, or side rear, of the house. The board discussed the proposed location and raised no concerns or objections. The HDC moved and voted unanimously in favor.
New business – Kathy Scott shared an update on the village road project, potentially to be put forward as a Warrant Article in 2024. The project involves Church and School Streets and Church Alley. Current discussions and preliminary survey work involve ascertaining locations for and number of culverts and catch basins, and finalizing drainage and septic plans prior to the construction and paving phases of the project. The town is coordinating with Historic Harrisville as it considers plans to rehabilitate St. Denis Church. The Road Work Committee hopes to have an infrastructure plan in place this fall. Parking and impervious cover, which affect storm water drainage, would be addressed by applications to the zoning board.
The board confirmed that historic district property owners do need to file applications for the installation of mini-splits, which require installation of exterior compressors.
Agenda for July 25 meeting – The HDC will hear the application of Eleanor Drury, 19 Main Street, for window replacement and also will meet with Brandee Loughlin of the NH Division of Historic Resources to discuss the Certified Local Government (CLG) program.
The meeting adjourned at 7:45 pm.