Town of Sutton

Town of Sutton

Pillsbury Memorial Town Hall

26 Grist Mill Street Committee

Meeting Minutes of June 3, 2019

 

 

 

Members present:  Dane Headley, Chair; Bob DeFelice, Co-Chair; Don Davis, Glenn Pogust, Cindy Johnson, Andy Jeffrey, and Betsy Forsham. Absent: Wally Baker. Members of the public present: Sue Esposito, Marne and Pete Thompson and Kathleen Stowell.

Call to order:  Chair Dane Headley called the meeting to order at 3:03 p.m.

Previous meeting minutes: It was moved by Bob, seconded by Andy to approve the minutes of May 13, 2019 as written.

Dane suggested the members introduce themselves and explain why they wish to participate on the committee, which was done.

Bob handed out a portion of the March 13, 2019 town meeting minutes concerning Article 17 which was the article to purchase 26 Grist Mill Street.  Members read over the copy which was helpful in that it contained the wishes of several citizens who spoke to the article as well as laying out what would happen going forward in deciding what to do with the property (forming a committee who would explore things such as parking, saving or tearing down the building, etc.).  Dane asked if members felt that parking was the most important issue and while most felt it was very important, the disposition of the house and the aesthetics of the property is also important.

Old Business:

  • Andy re: ADA requirements – Compliance with ADA requirements would only apply to the building if it is occupied by full and/or part-time staff. If it is just used for storage, then ADA requirements to not apply. Andy did not look into heating requirements.
  • Betsy re: well and septic system – Betsy confirmed that the well on the property belongs with the house as, after several transfers and mis-conveyances, the two lots were merged into one which is the present status today. She spoke with the septic system designer, Jeff Evans, who confirmed that the leach field could NOT be driven over. It would have to be replaced with concrete chambers with a H20 loading value. The tank is also too fragile to drive over and, if not used, could just be filled in.  Betsy agreed to ask Jeff for a full size copy of the as built septic plan so that the area could be staked out.  It was noted that one could still have the septic system in place and just drive around it, placing parking spaces away from that area.  However, if it wasn’t going to be used, it could just be driven over, with maybe a little fill placed on top.
  • Don re: the barn – Don was not able to speak with the NH state preservationist but he did speak with a couple of other knowledgeable folks. One person felt that the barn was the most interesting of the buildings on the lot. If it were to be moved to a different location on the site, it could be moved as one piece.  If it is was moved off site, then it would have to be dismantled.  Don wondered about different road and parking configurations which might allow the barn to remain on the lot.

New Business:

Members felt that a site plan showing location of the septic and well, boundaries and setbacks would be useful.  Dane, Bob, Glenn and Don volunteered to meet and take measurements and Andy volunteered to put the dimensions and existing conditions in photo shop and create site plans for the various scenarios.  Dane will get back to the members with a date and time to meet at the house.

Members discussed various issues which we must consider as we move forward with our deliberations, such as:

1- The costs involved with whatever scenario is decided on, including future maintenance costs.

2- Whatever the end result, it should fit in with and compliment the village, not stick out.

3- In addition to parking, we would be creating a “town green” where people could congregate, by including things such as granite and chain fencing (like what encloses the Sutton Mills cemetery), a gazebo, old fashioned lighting, bluestone driveway/roadway vs. asphalt, benches, etc.

4 –While standard parking spaces are 9’ x 18’, if one had diagonal parking, spaces might need to be bigger, perhaps 10’ x 20’.

 

Betsy wondered if we should get an independent contractor to look at the buildings but Bill Curless is willing to do the work which members felt would be adequate (thank you, Bill!).  We need to know the existing condition of the buildings and what the cost might be to convert part of the house to office and/or storage space.  Bill said he could give ball park figures for different scenarios.  Betsy asked if funds were available in case we needed to pay someone for advice, documents, etc.  While we do not have a formal budget, there would be monies available.

 

Don suggested making a list of what we want.  Dane pointed out that we can first come up with some general things (which we have already started doing) and then get down to specifics.

 

It being nearly 4:00, it was moved by Betsy, seconded by Bob and unanimously approved to adjourn at 3:58 p.m.

 

The next meeting will be held on June 17 at 3:00 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Betsy Forsham

Recording Secretary