Present: T. Furlong, P. Schena, and C. Webber

Minutes:

T. Furlong made a motion to accept the December minutes. C. Webber seconded the motion. The December minutes were accepted by unanimous vote.

Presentation and discussion of Boy Scout clean-up project for Simpson Cellar Hole

Kevin Cole of Windham attended the meeting, accompanied by his father Christopher, to present a project plan for an Eagle Scout Service Project that would involved the clean-up of the Simpson Cellar Hole. K. Cole presented a detailed plan that addressed issues related to clean-up, safety, timing, and materials. He proposed to begin in the spring before the trees begin to foliate. He further proposed that he would back fill using brush removed from the site. Kevin explained that he would provide all necessary staffing and materials for the proposed clean-up. T. Furlong made a motion to accept the plan as presented. C. Webber seconded the motion. The motion was accepted by unanimous vote.

C. Webber suggested that during the clean-up, members of the Commission conduct an on-site field briefing on the history of Cellar Hole for the benefit of those participating in the project. K. Cole welcomed this suggestion.

Discussion of Historic District Commission application fees

P. Schena raised with the Commission members the issue of application fees for submissions to the HDC. He explained that he had discussed the matter with A. Turner of the town's Planning and Development Office whose recommendation for a fee structure was one similar to those of other Town of Windham land use boards. Consistent with A. Turner's recommendation, P. Schena proposed, subject to final consultation with the Planning Office, HDC application fees of $100 per application, $10 per legal notification advertisement, and $5 per abutter. Fees would be retained by the Planning Office to cover is administrative costs. C. Webber made a motion to accept this fee structure. T. Furlong seconded the motion. The fee structure was unanimously adopted subject to final consultation with the Planning Office.

Presentation and discussion of correspondences and/or other new issues

P. Schena reported on correspondences received from the NH Preservation Alliance on grants related to the preservation of barns and other agricultural sites.

P. Schena further raised the issue of membership. He noted that W. Bailey had formerly requested alternate status. C. Webber reported that the Board of Selectman had granted this status. P. Schena further noted that M. Stolz notified him that she had assumed a new work assignment that would prevent her from attending meetings. However, she expressed an interested to remain involved in the work of the committee and was considering also requesting alternate status. P. Schena noted that this would cause the Commission's membership to fall below five (5). C. Webber agreed to speak to D. Sullivan about posting a call for membership. She also suggested posting a call on the HDC web site.

Review of plan/project submissions

The Commission reviewed the Rogers Service Center project and submitted remarks to the Planning and Zoning Board.

At 4:45, the Commission recessed for fifteen minutes.

Public hearing of Windham Presbyterian Church application for Certificate of Approval/Appropriateness (to begin at 5:00 PM)

D. Mires, representing the Windham Presbyterian Church and accompanied by members of the Church and its Building Committee, addressed the Commission in support of the Church's application to renovate and add to its existing structures. The application was submitted in response to a certificate of disapproval issued by the Commission related specifically to the Church's proposed use of vinyl siding on all additions and renovations. In the present application the Church proposed to use cemplank with back-primed wood trim on all additions and renovations.

P. Schena recalled for those present conditions the Commission had proposed to the vote on the previous application, namely: 1) the installation of foundation plantings on the North Lowell Road side of the sanctuary and the proposed addition to its rear and 2) the installation of green space to the rear of the addition to the sanctuary. P. Schena further asked Mr. Mires to speak to the behavior of cemplank when a fire is present. Mr. Mires explained that he believed the material to be non-flammable and non-combustible. He further noted that it met the standards of all relevant building codes.

There being no further discussion on the application, P. Schena made a motion to accept the Church's application to use cemplank siding and wood trim on all additions and renovations proposed on the condition that 1) foundation plantings be installed on the North Lowell Road side of the sanctuary and the proposed addition to the rear of the sanctuary and 2) green space be installed to the rear of the addition to the sanctuary. T. Furlong seconded the motion. The motion received two votes in favor (P. Schena and T. Furlong) and one opposing vote (C. Webber) and so passed.

There being to further business to come before the Commission, the Meeting was adjourned at 5:15 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

Patrick J. Schena
Chairman, Historic District/Heritage Commission

Approved February 14, 2002