Historic District Commission
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Meeting Minutes
Members present: Rex Baker, Noel Greiner, Andrew Maneval, Michael Price, Nick Colony. Absent: Kully Mindemann
Attendees: Michael Amato
Recording Secretary: Mary Ann Noyer
Agenda, Minutes of previous meeting, December 2025 – With the addition of the topic of fencing around the canal, Michael Price moved to approve the agenda. Nick Colony seconded. All voted in favor. Members then moved and voted in favor to approve the December 23, 2025 minutes.
Fencing around canal – With the town’s priority of repairing fencing across from the library, Mr. Maneval shared the SB’s decision to form a committee that includes representatives of historic district interests, property owner interests, and town planning, highway, and transportation input, to consider safety, area historic preservation interests, design ideas and potential funding sources. Historic Harrisville has expressed interest in participating. During discussion, Michael Price and Nick Colony also raised their hands to serve on the committee.
Certified Local Government – HDC members revisited the town’s eligibility to apply for grant money for town-owned historic property, including historic preservation assessments and technical expertise, or repairs to historic structures. Two possible structures include the town library, which requires masonry work, and the police station/former train depot that needs a new roof. The HDC could apply on its own or work with a grant writer. Rex Baker will explore CLG and other grant opportunities further.
Andrew Maneval noted the work of the underutilized buildings committee, specifically with reference to the old fire station on Harrisville Pond. Any potential plans would involve much public discussion.
HDC Application form – With an interest in reviewing the board’s application form to ensure adequate information is provided by applicants, Rex urged that the regulations and form be reviewed for revision. The board discussed the rehabilitation of St Denis into the Village Community Center as an example of a project where site plan and dimensional calculations did not correspond to “on the ground” calculations or “street terms” and readily understandable in inches and feet; thus, the concrete retaining wall in the rear of the structure was 28” higher than the HDC expected from its review. With enforcement outside of HDC jurisdiction, the chair is particularly concerned that the application and review process is thorough and accurate.
Members considered options for going about review of the forms and regulations – e.g., spending 30 minutes each month doing it, or organizing a subcommittee to review and make recommendations to the full HDC. Rex Baker offered to take a first cut at proposed modifications and bring back to the board for review and vote.
Members discussed that any and all variations in work that deviates from what was applied for should require additional review by the HDC. In the case of complex projects, an emergency meeting could be called to handle immediate needs. Members agreed that reference to this should be included in the application forms and rules of procedure.
Annual offices for HDC positions – This topic will be added to the April agenda. Andrew Maneval noted that the Planning Board, by statute, is the only board that must have a SB member sit on it.
HDC Membership – Mike Amato was introduced to current members. He was in attendance to observe.
The meeting adjourned at 7:55 pm.