The meeting was called to order on July 24, 2007 at the Wilton Public and Gregg Free Library. Present were Stanley Young, Michael Dell’Orto, Corinne Blagbrough, Dan Donovan and Nancy Clark.

The minutes were read and accepted as written. The Treasurer reported that no money had been spent.

Corinne gave a progress report on the ongoing project to place the Town Hall on the National Register. Corinne spoke to Christine Fonda Rankie at the NH Division of Historical Resources and sent her a copy of the relevant material accumulated thus far. Ms Rankie gave Corinne the names of three state approved architectural historians and Corinne has spoken to one of them. Payment for this person’s services would be around $1,000. Corinne will get in touch with the other approved historians and learn their terms.

Dan wondered what sort of restrictions will apply once the Town Hall is on the National Register. Bearing in mind other mandated requirements for public buildings and looking ahead to anticipated major repairs and renovations on the Town Hall, he noted that additional restrictions could add to the cost of the much needed repairs and renovations.

On the matter of historical markers, there are still a few signs to be put up. Clarification on the exact placement of the Davisville sign on Frye Measure Mill’s property is needed.
On the matter of scenic roads, Dan will place Dwight Road’s application for scenic road status on the warrant article agenda. He suggested that the Heritage Commission make a timely reminder in January that we wish this to be done.

Stanley has spoken to Jim Nelson, a cemetery trustee, offering the Heritage Commission’s help in documenting the damaged grave markers. Jim accepted this offer of assistance. Stanley requested maps of the cemeteries in order to correlate photographs of damaged headstones with their plots. This will serve as a basis for evaluating the cost of needed repairs when the Cemetery Trustees request funds for care and restoration. South Yard and Vale End have been particularly targeted for attention.

Referring to a situation in Merrimack, NH in which a significant old building has been slated to be torn down to make space for a new Starbucks, Stanley noted that the Merrimack Heritage Commission has proposed the formulation of a “Neighborhood Conservation District” which would be an entity with rules and goals less rigid than those of a more usual model of Historic District. The Neighborhood Conservation District would still involve board review of major alterations, renovations, additions, demolitions and new construction. Stanley thinks it would be worthwhile to find out more about the particulars of the Merrimack proposal.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30.

Respectfully submitted,

Nancy Clark, Secretary