The Meeting was called to Order by C. Dingman at 7:00 p.m.

Harlan Putnam (a Trustee of the Bristol Baptist Church) and his wife, Sue, came to the meeting to discuss ways in which the BHDC can be a resource in helping the Church sustain its parsonage building (which is located in Bristol’s Sqaure and is part of the area covered by the BHDC).

C. Dingman first questioned how long the Parsonage can be maintained by the Church in its current condition. H. Putnam answered that it can probably exist in its current condition for one more year. C. Dingman then asked what the Church’s objective is for the building. H. Putnam replied that the Church does not want to sell the building (noting parking and minister housing as concerns), and that many of the Church Trustees would like to see the building fixed up both inside and out.

General discussion about the building ensued. S. Heaney mentioned that the Trustees might want to consider subdividing the building into smaller rental units. M. Greenwood talked about the fact that the building is from the1800s, and was a part of the former Bartlett property. D. Gordon opined that the Church Trustees really need to figure out what kind of use of the building they would be able to live with.

C. Dingman talked about resources available for rehabilitation and preservation of the structure. He pointed out that the Parsonage is on the National Register of Historic Places and in Bristol’s Historic District, and those designations create eligibility for certain grants and funding. He also mentioned a consultant on building rehabilitation and preservation issues that he believes could be an excellent resource for the Church.

C. Dingman outlined the process of rehabilitating and preserving the Parsonage in a Three Step process: Step One - Keep building intact, Step Two - Make exterior historically accurate, and Step Three - Determine a sustainable use that will be economically feasible. It was made clear that this is not something that the BHCD can do for the Church, but rather it is something that the BHDC can work with the Town and the Church to help the Church achieve.

As an action plan, C. Dingman indicated that he would be meeting with the Town Manager to talk about the Town’s interest in this project within the next week. He will plan to contact the consultant that he mentioned, and then follow up with the Church Trustees via email. After the process gets started, he is hopeful that there can be regular small group discussions to keep the dialogue about this project going.

As the applicant (Joseph Sanville) did not appear, and the question was raised as to whether he was confused about his need to appear, the Motion was made by C. Dingman, Seconded by S. Heaney, to continue the Hearing until the BHDC’s next scheduled meeting of Tuesday, April 10, 2007. The motion carried unanimously.

There was a general discussion of feedback received from Bristol Townspeople about the Historic District Commission.

There was discussion, commenced by C.Dingman, of the Town’s creation of a Task Force for the rehabilitation of Bristol’s Downtown. Such rehabilitation would hopefully include putting utility lines underground, upgrading sidewalks, adding greenery, decreasing asphalt pavement, improving lighting and generally enhancing the Downtown’s appearance. C. Dingman is going to be meeting with the Town Manager within the next week to talk further about this issue.

L. Douglas mentioned the broken window in the Grace Electronics building, noting that it is a safety hazard as well as an eyesore. C. Dingman stated that he would also bring this issue to the Town Manager’s attention at the time of his meeting with her.

D. Gordon brought up the fact that the Commission’s complete budget request was approved by the Town at Town Meeting, including the money requested for signage denoting the Historic District.

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At 8:30 p.m., S. Heaney made a motion, Seconded by M. Greenwood to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously.