Present: Doreen Howard, Jennifer Jarvis, Janice Rosa, Gerry O’Connell, Steven Minutelli, Adam Schroadter
Absent: Philip LePage (excused)
Chairwoman Jennifer Jarvis called the meeting to Order at 7:05 p.m.
I. Public Input Session on Historic District Ordinance
Jen opened the public input session at 7:06 p.m.
Jen noted for the record that nobody was present in the audience for the purpose of providing input on the historic district ordinance. She noted that the agenda was posted in two (2) locations approximately one (1) week earlier. She noted that approximately one (1) week prior to the meeting that in addition to the public posting requirements, two (2) slides asking for input from residents began running on Channel 13.
Jen noted that the final AHC public input session on the historic district ordinance would be held on Saturday, November 14, 2009, at the Town Hall.
II. Approval of the September 24, 2009 Meeting Minutes
Jen requested that all members be copied the draft meeting minutes at the same time that they are sent to the administrative secretary.
Motion: To approve the September 24, 2009 minutes, as amended.
Motioned: Adam Schroadter
Seconded: Janice Rosa
Jen noted a number of grammatical and syntactical errors.
Vote: All in favor, 5-0; 1 abstention (Doreen abstained having not reviewed the minutes because she had not received them prior to the meeting
III. Input from Members on AHC Draft Regulations
Doreen states that having the standards somewhat vague is likely a good idea. She states that we need to think about some of the ongoing effects that 21st century issues such as energy efficiency have upon the concept of historical preservation. She notes she has heard that Congress is considering a bill relative to individuals having to meet green standards which may adversely impact historical rehabilitation. She thinks that in drafting our guidelines it is important to be cognizant of Article 28-A of the New Hampshire Constitution. She feels that at times historical codes infringe on an individual’s rights. She notes the differences between a Historic District Commission and an AHC, and notes the importance of the already existing zoning standards in Town.
Jen notes that traditionally when individuals are referred to the AHC by the Planning Board, or have individually sought input from the AHC on commercial or residential projects, that previous AHC’s did not have specific guidelines to use when assessing such projects. The purpose of this agenda item is so that the AHC can implement an objective standard in order to be as fair as possible to future applicants.
Adam state that the guidelines should have a new ‘green technology’ subheading and that the language of the section should be flexible enough to deal with issues which may arise as the technology evolves while not adversely impacting the nature of any historical aesthetic. Jen requests that he work on language which can be added to the guidelines.
Gerry questions the value of the section in the guidelines dealing with paint color. He notes that even in municipalities that have Historic District Commissions, very few entities attempt to legislate paint color. Janice notes that it is possible to ascertain historical paint colors; Doreen agrees with Gerry that the issue of paint is difficult and frequently controversial.
Gerry suggests making the language more advisory in nature (i.e. “could be considered”); Adam suggests making a color selection available in the resource binder the AHC is currently working on.
IV. Update from Gerry O’Connell on CLG Status
Gerry notes that he has performed some research on this issue and was asked by the Chair to provide an overview to the present AHC. He notes he has received information from the NH Division of Historical Resources about the issue and reads from the document accordingly:
Gerry notes that the “Certified Local Governments” (hereafter “CLG”) Program is a partnership between municipal governments and their state’s historic preservation program. He states that an entire municipality , and not a specific historic district or advisory heritage commission, is designated as attaining CLG status. Municipalities that attain CLG status have specific responsibilities for review of National Register of Historic Places nominations for all properties within the community (not just those within a historic district). He states CLG municipalities must participate in the development of regioinal and statewide historic preservation goals and that they are eligible to apply for federal matching grants from a special “pass through” fund set aside for the exclusive use of CLG’s. CLG grants can be made only to certified communities.
To attain CLG status, the Town must:
Enforce appropriate state or local legislation for designation and protection of historic properties (this means that the community must have a legally-adopted historic district, and adequate regulations for administering the district ordinance);
Establish an adequate and qualified historic preservation review commission (historic district commission, or heritage commission with historic district responsibilities) under state law and local ordinances;
Maintain a system for the survey and inventory of historic properties;
Provide for adequate public participation in the local historic preservation program, including the process of recommending properties for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places; and,
Satisfactorily perform the responsibilities delegated to it by the State Historic Preservation Officer under P.L. 96-515.
Gerry notes that if the Town of Newmarket wished to apply for CLG designation, that process must be initiated by the chief local elected official (i.e., Newmarket Town Council Chairman). A letter and application must be sent to the State Historic Preservation Officer along with the necessary supporting documentation (a copy of the local historic preservation ordinance; the historic district commission’s rules of procedure and the published criteria and guidelines for the commission’s actions; a map of the district; a sample of a public notice for a historic district commission meeting; a sample notice to an applicant of a commission decision; and a list of the members of the commission and their terms of office, along with a brief resume for each).
Gerry notes that in the State of New Hampshire there are thirteen (13) CLG communities: Concord, Nashua, Sanbornton, Wakefield, Gilford, Derry, Hollis, Jaffrey, Goffstown, Newington, Newport, Durham, and Somersworth. He further notes that there are three (3) communities with pending CLG status: Londonderry, Amherst, and Exeter.
Finally, with respect to available grants Gerry notes that the 2009 CLG Grant Round totaled $60,000 in available funds.
The commission discussed the relative merits of recommending that the Town pursue CLG status.
Doreen notes that she has served on several committees in her capacity as a state representative and that some individual communities with CLG status have brought forward bills seeking tax relief. She also notes the size of Newmarket’s Historic District and believes it is large for such a small community.
Gerry notes that in looking at the criteria for attaining CLG status several concerns come to mind. First, CLG status encompasses the entire community which expands the difficulty of defining what properties are historic in nature and what properties are not. Next, it appears likely in reviewing the criteria it appears that it would be necessary for the community to budget for several full time people to assist with the enforcement criteria. Finally, he notes that CLG status has been described as desirable because it would qualify the municipality for grants but according to the information he attained from the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources there is only approximately $60,000 in grant money available to the thirteen (13) CLG municipalities in New Hampshire.
Doreen agrees with Gerry that in reviewing the information it appears that gaining CLG status seems like a great deal of work for very little in return.
Jen notes that she believes it is important to note that CLG status encompasses the entire community. She does not recall that specific fact being discussed at previous meetings. She further notes that the limited grant money that would be available as a result of Newmarket attaining CLG status would be available to the Town only and not to individual property owners seeking to rehabilitate historic properties.
Motion: That the AHC advise the Town Council not to seek CLG status.
Motioned: Gerry O’Connell
Seconded: Doreen Howard
Vote: All in favor; 6-0.
V. Update From Doreen Howard and Adam Schroadter on Resource Binder
Adam states that it is important not to reinvent the wheel when putting together the resource binder. He states the binder continues to be a work in process and that the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance has been particularly helpful in providing information to the AHC. He notes that he and Doreen are working on compiling a local directory for Newmarket, the binder will be available at Town Hall, and that it might make sense to include a link on the Town’s AHC website to links. He states that the following should be included: AHC guidelines inclusive of the preserving community and character handbook; grants and resources / organizations that help find the same; local history; and a tab for other resources.
Doreen agrees with Adam and states that she printed out a variety of information from the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources. She notes their brochure and endorses the design of the same. She notes that she discovered other resources including information from the National Historic Trust Preservation (giving incentives to homeowners); N.H. Preservation Alliance; and the Directory of Preservation and Products and Services.
VI. Distribution from Phil LePage of Copies for All Members of Preserving Community Character Handbook
Jen notes that Phil LePage sent an email indicating he was not going to make the meeting this evening.
Jen notes that Phil stated in his email that the historic district inventory was stored at the library. He suggested contacting Isabel Donovan. Phil also indicated that the NHDHR and Secretary of Interior may also have copies.
Jen states Phil also has made three (3) copies of the handbook for distribution.
VII. Update from Janice Rosa and Phil LePage on Photo Log
Janice states she has been in contact with the Newmarket Public Library and that they are unable to locate the photo log. Janice reports she also called the State of New Hampshire and that they indicated if the AHC wants the information in their files it is available but requires a trip to Concord. She states she recalls photographs being taken of historic properties and that she will follow-up with Nancy Winterbottom.
Doreen notes that a town-wide reassessment was recently completed and that photos may be available at the Town Clerk’s office.
VIII. Old Business
Janice notes that the Town Administrator has sent correspondence to the Chairs of the various town committees requiring them to submit any budget requests by November 30th.
Gerry notes with regard to a potential budget request, the Division of Historical Resources runs seminars on various issues but that the AHC does not presently have a budget for such seminars. Adam confirms that such courses are available and notes some such seminars are specific to AHC’s. Jen suggests that any information, including costs of such courses, be brought to the next meeting for discussion.
IX. New Business
Doreen notes that with the upcoming holidays it might make sense to reschedule the regular AHC meetings presently scheduled for November and December.
Jen agrees and recommends that the regular AHC meeting in November be rescheduled so that it can be held on Saturday at the same time as the public input session on the historic district ordinance.
The commission agrees.
Doreen recommends that the December meeting be rescheduled to January.
