The meeting was called to order on Aug. 28, 2007 at the Wilton Public and Gregg Free Library. Present were Stanley Young, Michael Dell’Orto, Phyllis Tallarico, Corinne Blagbrough, Don Channing and Nancy Clark.
The minutes were read and accepted as written. The Treasurer reported that no money had been spent. Prior to the meeting, Commission members viewed and admired the work in progress in the library vestibule where paint-covered and forgotten wall stencils are being revealed and restored.
The matter of an inventory of the town’s cemeteries was discussed. There is an existing fifty year old inventory which will help in the task of locating and identifying the damaged stones in need of repair. An offer of assistance will be made to the Cemetery Commission in carrying out any survey of the cemeteries.
Commission members discussed the possibility of buying a larger scanner which will be of great use when scanning large documents. Michael will look for a suitable scanner in anticipation of the resumption of his work on the Documentation Project when the Historic Rooms are once again open for business.
Corinne reported on her progress on looking into the Town Hall’s eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places. Upon viewing the results of recent work that has been done on the Town Hall, Christine Fonda Rankie has withdrawn blanket approval for consideration of the eligibility of the Town Hall for the NRHP. There must now be a review, and Ms. Rankie further cautions that restrictions will be placed upon anticipated renovations of the building. Corinne wondered whether it would be worthwhile to look into placing the Town Hall on the State’s Register of Historic Places which may place fewer restrictions upon the contemplated (and necessary) changes and be more forgiving of the existing ones. She reported, further, that architectural historian Eliz. Hengen’s research fee is in the $2500-$5000 range. The Commission will have to ask for money to pay any architectural historian and Stanley and Michael plan to appear before a Selectman’s meeting to see how willing the town is to fund this process.
A resolution has been reached at Four Corners Farm. LCHIP and the selectmen have agreed that the farmers can raze the silo. To review: the silo is only 50-60 years old, in derelict condition and presents a danger to the farmers. Steve Moheban was not willing to repair the silo at his own expense. Stanley photographed the property from various vantage points and has demonstrated that the silo did not figure as a significant feature from any view of the property.
Michael presented an idea regarding Lot 48 on Main Street. He suggested that the Heritage Commission spearhead a drive to move the War Memorial from its present and awkward location on Rte. 31 to Lot 48. He noted that the Memorial is inaccessible; commemorative ceremonies disrupt traffic and there is no place to sit for quiet contemplation. Michael observed that a) the Memorial ought to be placed in a more central location, b) ceremonies there will permit more public access and not interfere with traffic, c) a tight corner of Rte. 31 will be freed up for widening, d) it will provide a purpose and a focal point to Lot 48, noting that the details for the particulars of its revised use from parking lot to park still remain in some dispute. It was decided to present this idea to the Main Street organization, the Selectmen and the American Legion. Further, it seems likely that town-owned equipment can be used to move the heavy monuments.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Clark, Secretary