Town of Sutton

Town of Sutton

Pillsbury Memorial Town Hall

26 Grist Mill Street Committee

Meeting Minutes of May 13, 2019

 

Members present:  Dane Headley, Chair; Bob DeFelice, Co-Chair; Don Davis; Glenn Pogust; Wally Baker; Andy Jeffrey and Betsy Forsham.  Peter Stanley, Planning and Zoning Administrator, joined us as a facilitator, as needed.

Call to order: The meeting was called to order by Chair Dane Headley at 3:00.  Betsy agreed to take the minutes.

Background: Dane reviewed the purpose of the committee’s formation and its goals.  We will be exploring several scenarios for what to do with the house and grounds at 26 Grist Mill Street, Tax Lot # 06-427-248, which the town purchased, after town meeting approval, on April 1, 2019.  After we develop some use options, we will hold public hearings.  Ultimately, we will present our final scenarios, along with cost estimates, to Sutton voters at next year’s town meeting. The creation of parking is a high priority, but the disposition of the house and barn is as yet undetermined.

Discussions:  After viewing the house and barn, locating boundary lines and markers and the location of the septic tank and leach field, Members returned to town hall and discussed the following:

  • Part of the house could be saved (from perhaps the kitchen forward), both for aesthetic reasons and for storage of various town department files and just the back of the house and the barn could be removed. There might be ADA compliance rules involved; the house could be offered for sale and removed by the new owner; all structures could be removed; old timber from the barn could be used to create a carriage shed, possibly to house the hearse presently stored on the town hall’s stage, still leaving plenty of room for parking.  It was agreed that Bill Curless, builder, could provide cost estimates for some of the scenarios that involve the buildings.  It was noted that parking spaces need to be 9 ft. x 18 ft. and that 20 spaces would be more than adequate.  If all the buildings were removed, some of the area could be left as a park-like green space, in addition to the parking area.  Concern was expressed that there is a fairly new septic tank and leach field in the back area which might not support cars being driven over it.
  • Questions were asked about deeded rights to a well on the property, past conveyance history, etc. Betsy relayed what she knew, noting that what had once been two small lots were now just the one of .45 acre.

Final thoughts:

  • Dane asked for a non-binding show of hands by those wishing to try and retain the front part of the house vs. tearing everything down. The majority voted in favor of trying to keep part of the house.
  • Andy volunteered to look into ADA requirements, heating issues, etc.
  • Betsy agreed to look into the septic system and well issues.
  • It was noted that several people at town meeting and beyond have expressed the importance of saving the old house, as it adds to the charm of the village.
  • It was noted that several people at town meeting and beyond have expressed their opinions about the importance of saving the old house, as it adds to the charm of the village. Bob thinks we should get feedback from folks who live in the village and see the site every day.  They could be invited to one of our meetings to give their feedback.  Betsy agreed to ask around and find some folks.
  • Don agreed to look into the barn and the costs of moving it, repurposing parts of it, etc.
  • Dates for the next meeting were discussed. We meet every two weeks, but the next meeting would fall on Memorial Day (5/27).  Some members had conflicts so June 3rd might be a better date.  Members will be informed of the date soon.

Adjournment:

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 4:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Betsy Forsham, Recording Secretary

 

 

The next meeting will be held on Monday, June 3, 2019 at 3:00 p.m.