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

1. Review and approval July minutes
   
   C. Pynn made a motion to accept the July minutes corrected for accurate date. T. Furlong seconded the motion. The corrected July minutes were accepted by unanimous vote.
   
   
2. Simpson Cellar Hole Clean-up Project - Mr. Kevin Cole
   
   Kevin Cole, a Windham boy scout, working on the Simpson Cellar Hole clean up project, attended the meeting to report on the completed project. K. Cole discussed the organizational efforts, resources, and actual work undertaken to complete the clean up. He also displayed pictures taken over the course of his work. The Commission unanimously endorsed all aspects of the clean up project and commended K. Cole for an outstanding job. Furthermore, the Commission asked P. Schena to provide K. Cole a letter of acknowledgement and commendation to be used in his Eagle Scout pursuit.
   
   In reflecting on the quality of the work effort and the current state of the Simpson Cellar Hole, members discussed the possibility of posting a "No Dumping" sign in an effort to keep the site free of litter and trash.
   
   
3. Bartley House Renovation: Informational Discussion - Mr. David Sullivan
   
   Mr. D. Sullivan, Windham Town Administrator, attended the meeting to report to the Commission on preparation work required in advance of construction on the Bartley House renovations. D. Sullivan noted that among the renovations were included work on sills and roofing, interior demolition and reconstruction, and installation of a vapor barrier and perimeter drain. With respect to the latter, D. Sullivan reported that installing the perimeter drain would be impeded by the root systems of large evergreens immediately adjacent to the building. He further noted that the trees were also causing damage to the roof and encouraging moisture buildup. He requested, after consultations with the contractor, that the Commission approve removing the trees.
   
   Commission members expressed concern with losing the trees and asked about practical alternatives that would not compromise the construction and restoration work. D. Sullivan explained that no effective options existed if the goal of protecting the foundation of the building from moisture was to be achieved.
   
   T. Furlong made a motion, given the problems caused by the trees, that they be removed. C. Pynn requested that suitable landscaping be done to add back greenery to the Bartley House. D. Sullivan agreed to submit a budget request for FY 2003 for $5,000 for Bartley House landscaping. Accordingly, C. Pynn seconded the motion. The motion was accepted by unanimous vote.
   
   On a separate matter, D. Sullivan reported that his office would prepare the LCHIP grant proposal for the Searles School and Chapel and forward it to the Commission for review and comment.
   
   
4. Windham Depot - Mr. John Mangan
   
   Mr. John Mangan and Mr. Mark Samsel, as representatives of the Windham Depot neighborhood community, attended the meeting to discuss their concerns with the state of the Depot in the context of continued ATV use of the site. D. Sullivan, in attendance at the meeting explained that the state owns much of the Depot area, including the Depot and "freight" buildings. Discussion ensued related to the possibility of making the Depot area a historic district. P. Schena agreed to research this possibility and report to the Commission at its October meeting. Accordingly, the Commission agreed to place the Depot matter on the agenda of its October meeting.
   
   Messers Mangan and Samsel also noted that they would be attending a meeting on 18 September with a NH House Committee chartered to study trail use. Its Chairman is Rep. John Alger. The Commission asked P. Schena to draft and send a letter to that Committee outlining the historic significance of the Depot area and the Commission's concerns with land use in the Depot area.
   
   
5. Follow-up to I 93 project and impact on historic properties
   
   P. Schena reported on the results of a recent meeting he attended with town representatives at the NH Department of Transportation. The meeting, which included Commissioner Carol Murray, was held to discuss the proposed I 93 project. The Commission's interest was in that portion of the meeting that focused on the impact of the project on historic properties in Windham.
   
   In his report, P. Schena noted that the town presented the results of its discussions with Mr. Alex Ray of the Common Man. He further noted that proposals to move the Common Man complex of three buildings further east along 111A were presented and discussed. He emphasized that the DOT was receptive to these ideas and had agreed to work with Mr. Ray toward a plan to acquire land east of the current Common Man site that would insure that the buildings would be moved and reestablished. P. Schena noted that this result was consistent with the Commission's Objectives Related to Mitigation of Proposed I93 Expansion dated July 29, 2002. Finally, P. Schena reported that the Dinsmore house (Rt 111) and Indian Rock were also discussed with general agreement that the project would not pose a threat to these properties.
   
   
6. Follow-up to road name proposals presented by Mr. Brian Harvey
   
   In response to recommendations from Mr. Brian Harvey regarding road names in the Spruce Pond area, the Commission approved the following recommendations:
   
   • Northland Farm Road
   • Duston Road
   • Stone Dam Road
   • Northbrook Road
   • Clyde Farm Road
   • Middleridge Road

  

C. Pynn noted that Northland and Northbrook may not both be acceptable for safety reasons and asked, in that event, that Mr. Harvey reconsider using Ripley Farm Road.

P. Schena was asked to communicate these recommendations to Mr. Harvey.



• Presentation and discussion of correspondences and/or other new issues
  
  Several new issues came before the Commission as follows:
  
  CIP: The Commission was asked to submit its capital requirements for the upcoming fiscal year. Commission members agreed not submit a capital request at this time, but to keep the CIP on its agenda every 3 months in anticipation of requirements in the subsequent fiscal year.
  
  Stone bridge: T. Furlong suggested that the Commission conduct a site walk of the Gage lands opposite the entrance to the transfer station in order to locate and identify historic assets on that property.
  
  Town Hall door: C. Pynn suggested that the Commission request that the Town Hall door be refinished or repainted as appropriate. P. Schena agreed to contact D. Sullivan with that request.
  
  Castle Hill Bridge: C. Pynn also requested that the Commission follow-up with D. Sullivan regarding the engineering study commissioned for the Castle Hill Bridge area. P. Schena agreed to contact D. Sullivan on this matter.
  
  October through December Meeting Schedule: Due to separate commitments of C. Pynn and P. Schena during October, November, and December, Commission members agreed to reschedule HDC meetings for those months from the second Thursday to the second Wednesday of each of those months.
  
  
• Review of plan/project submissions
  
  The Commission reviewed the Spruce Pond (3-B-600, 800, 890, 1200, and 1300) and Windham Depot Parking projects and prepared remarks on each for submission to the Planning and Zoning Board.

  
  There being to further business to come before the Commission, the Meeting was adjourned at 6:20 PM.
  
  Respectfully Submitted,
  
  Patrick J. Schena
  Chairman, Historic District/Heritage Commission
  
  

  Copyright © 2002 All Rights Reserved
  10/26/2002