Historic District Commission

July 12, 2005

The meeting was opened and called to order at 7:00 p.m. Jen Jones was asked to sit in for David Bernier. David Bernier arrived at 7:10 and Jen Jones was asked to step down.

MINUTES of 28JUN05, changes: Correct spelling of Dorcas Gordon’s name, throughout; change to paragraph ELECTION OF OFFICERS to add sentence "The motion carried." After both sentences. Clay Dingman made a motion, seconded by Dorcas Gordon, to accept the minutes as corrected. The motion carried.

DISCUSSION: The commission discussed preparing the historic district ordinance for the 2006 town meeting. Clay Dingman asked the commission members to divide the following tasks amongst themselves and work on them over the next six months on behalf of the commission:

a. mapping the district/inventory of properties;

b. defining regulations;

c. seeking volunteer help: undergraduate/graduate projects; and

d. building town support for the ordinance.

Sandra Heaney and Dorcas Gordon volunteered to handle mapping the district and compiling an inventory of properties. They agreed to come up with a list of four or five criteria by which to evaluate town properties for inclusion in the district, and circulate this list prior to the next meeting. Clay Dingman and Larry Douglas agreed to work on defining regulations for the ordinance, while Jen Jones volunteered to assist Clay with working with local universities to seek volunteer student help. David Bernier was assigned the task of researching building town support for the ordinance; Clay Dingman volunteered to help him. The members agreed to work on these tasks in their respective groups and provide regular status reports to the commission, no less frequently than each regular commission meeting. The commission as a whole will direct the work of the groups.

Larry Douglas read a list of reasons for having an historic. The HD must: attract business to the town; preserve structures of historical significance; manage change within the town (not simply prevent it); build a sense of community; generate funding for preservation; and increase property value. The HD will not simply involve the preservation of Bristol’s past, but also its future growth.

CHANGE TO REGULAR MEETINGS: Discussion took place regarding frequency of meetings, and in general it was agreed that meetings could be held once a month. Clay Dingman made a motion, seconded by Sandra Heaney, to hold the commission’s regular meetings once a month, on the second Tuesday of that month. The motion carried.

NEXT MEETING: will be held on August 9.

With no further business, Dorcas Gordon made a motion, seconded by Sandra Heaney, to adjourn at 8:45 p.m. The motion carried.