Town of Sutton, NH

26 Grist Mill Street Committee

Special Administrative Meeting Minutes of August 15, 2019

Members present:  Dane Headley, Chair, Don Davis, Glenn Pogust, Andy Jeffrey, Bob DeFelice and Betsy Forsham.  Absent:  Cindy Johnson.  Members of the public present:  Bill and Susan Uhl, Wadleigh Hill Rd.

Call to order:  Chair Dane Headley called this special administrative meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. 

Dane explained that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss options regarding Andrew Cushing’s offer of a $500 small planning grant from the NH Preservation Alliance (NHPA) where the town pays $100 and the NHPA pays $400.  The grant would, according to Andrew’s email of 8/8, be for Karen Fitzgerald, a landscape architect from Francestown, “to help develop concept drawings and talk through options that can prioritize retention of the house and attached barn, while providing park space and enough parking spaces.”  Don indicated that he had spoken to Andrew and was assured that as soon as the $100 was received, they could start working with us and come up with some plans prior to our public information meeting scheduled for Sept. 26^th.  It was agreed that even if we had more questions requiring more work from the NHPA, we would cap our expenses at $500 and would ask to be informed if we were going to exceed this amount.

There was a lively discussion among members, some questioning the necessity of more plans, feeling that, with the drawings done by Bob DeFelice, we had covered all bases.  Others felt that including a group with an expertise in historic preservation would show we had done our due diligence and explored all options before presenting our final scenarios to the voters.  Some felt that $100 was a small price to pay for hearing another point of view.  It was also expressed that a plan in which all the buildings are retained might show that it would not, in fact, be a viable option due to maintenance costs, fewer parking spaces and a much smaller park.

It was pointed out that we would need approval from the Select Board to expend $100, as we do not have monies specifically dedicated to our ad hoc committee. Betsy agreed to ask Elly Phillips, Town Administrator, if we could be put on next Monday’s (8-19) agenda at or around 4:15, so we could make that request.

Discussion ensued about whether Andrew addressing possible uses of the buildings, as briefly outlined in his email, is dependent on a design plan from Karen or could Bob’s plans be used instead and would this affect our ability to obtain the grant money.  Dane agreed to pose these questions to Andrew prior to next Monday’s meetings.

Members also discussed the need for ADA compliance if the house is retained, even if it is used for just storage.  Glenn agreed to come up with some questions to ask the Select Board as well as to ask permission to pose questions to town counsel, which he will do at the meeting on Monday.   

Andy offered to superimpose Bob’s drawings on his aerial view plans, which was agreed to.

Dane invited Bill and Susan Uhl to ask their questions/make comments.  They wondered what made a building historic and were told about the state parameters affecting same.  They also expressed concern that maintenance of the building/buildings would be an additional burden on taxpayers, and they would therefore like to see all the buildings removed and the lot used for parking and a park.  They were thanked for coming and encouraged to attend the public informational meetings to make their views known.

Next Meeting date: 

By group consensus, this meeting will be continued to 3:30 on Monday, August 19, to review what Dane had learned from his discussion with Andrew Cushing regarding addressing possible uses for the buildings without having a landscaping design done by Karen Fitzgerald.  Depending on what is learned, we will proceed to the Select Board’s meeting at 4:15, or not.

Adjournment:

There being no further business to conduct, it was moved by Bob, seconded by Glenn and unanimously approved to adjourn at 5:19 p.m.

The next meeting will be held on Monday, August 26, 2019 at 2:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Betsy Forsham, Recording Secretary