March 9, 1995 August 25, 1995 December 2, 1995 1998 1999 April 6, 2009 July 17, 2009 Fall 2010 August 13, 2010 January 27, 2013 Summer 2015 May 27, 2016 August 2016 October 2016 CHESTER MAIN AND Planning Zoning approved a 17 lot subdivision located on Chester Maine Road. The subdivision plans include a border trail identified as the ?East Trail?, and ?West Buffer?. Minutes of meetings indicate that the border trail was intended to fill the subdivision open space requirement. The Notice of Decision issued by did not include any condition which required open space or restrictions on use of the East Trail or West Buffer. Declaration of Covenant and Restrictions filed on Land Records Amendment filed to Declaration on Land Records Neither the Declaration nor Amendment included mention of trails. Lots to various owners none of their deeds included an easement and right away to the trails. Ownership of the trails remained with the original developer. No homeowners association was ever formed. A Special Town Meeting was held to hear and act upon acceptance of 3 certain pieces of land from Development Associates to the Town of North Stonington. No mention was made concerning any easements on the land nor exclusive use by the various neighboring land owners. Motion carried unanimously. Quit Claim deed was filed conveying the land to the Town. Conservation Commission placed Open Space signage along the trail. Dwight Kettlehut sold the parcel and home that he owned to the Morrones having full knowledge of Town ownership of the trails. The parcel abuts the trail. The deed recorded did include an easement and right away to the trail. Conservation Commission negotiated and secured deeded tights over Drakos property to avoid wetlands on what was to become the Town bridle trails. Zoning Enforcement Officer issued several abutters a zoning enforcement letter for violations on the trail parcels. Conservation Commission requested and received an 85-90? extension from Drakos to avoid a steep boulder field on the bridle trail. Jonathan Edwards and Brian Rathbun came to the Selectmen claiming that the trail was originally meant to be private for exclusive use of the abutters. The Selectmen began to look into the matter and agreed to bring to a Town Meeting for consideration of transferring it to a HOA established by the abutting home owners. The Selectmen asked the Conservation Commission to stop work on the trails temporarily. ??659 a: 95 . - .. Property Una Town of Narth Stonmg?con Connecticut Property Line JRISDICIICINAND IS COMPILED FROH Planimetric Data-and Property Maps 2016 [r a Parce1 'in D.- 1ND OTHER PUBLIC RECORDS AND DATA. EBY NOTIFIED THAT Town LT- "a RHATIDN CONTAINED ON THIS MAP. FPING CUHPAHIES ASSUME HG CUHTMHED Cl? THIS HAP. Town of North Stonington, CT PLANNING AND ZONING July 6, 2017 Re: CGS 8?24 #l7~047 (CT General Statute 8-24), On behalf of the Board of Selectmen, First Selectman Shawn P. Murphy requesting Planning Zoning Commission review, in accordance with CGS 8-24, on the following item: A request by the homeowners of the Chester Maine Estates Subdivision to have the Town quit claim the bridle trail to them, parcels 95 1578, 102?2790, 95?5348 To: Board of Selectmen This letter serves as a response to your inquiry as to whether the Planning and Zoning Commission would recommend that the Town retain ownership of the parcels of land known as the Chester Maine Bridle Trail and maintained as open space for public use, or to instead quit claim the above referenced parcels back to the homeowners of the Chester Maine Estates Subdivision. The members of the Planning and Zoning Commission have reviewed all records available pertaining to the Chester Maine Estates subdivision and requested a formal legal opinion form Town Counsel with respect to legal issues associated with the possible transfer of the three parcels that make up the ?Bridle Trail? and whether or not the transfer would constitute a re-subdivision. The legal opinion is attached. Though the record is not clear with respect to the terms of use of the land in question, the Commission agrees with the opinion of the homeowners of the Chester Maine Subdivision and their attorney regarding the original intent that the land/trail was to be maintained and managed by a homeowners association for private use by the homeowners of the subdivision only. It is a fairly safe assumption that the land in question was considered the ?open space? required in all subdivisions at the time, though it was simply referred to as a '?trail? or ?buffer? on the subdivision plans/maps. There were no notes with respect to use, maintenance or ownership speci?cally on the plan or in the Notice of Decision. Notes in the tile and of?cial meeting minutes did indicate that a Homeowners Association was to be formed to manage the open space. This Association was never formed and the land was legally accepted by the town at the April 6, 2009 Special Town Meeting with no further appeal by the homeowners until now. The Planning and'Zoning Commission acknowledges the work performed by the Conservation Commission over the past several years in anticipation of public use including the placement of ?Open Space? signs along the Eastern portion of the trail, the securing of additional rights of way, and efforts to clear the trail ot?debris and other items that had been placed there over the years, and agrees with them that privacy concerns could be possibly be remedied by plantings or a fence. Finally, with respect to the goals in the Plan of Conservation and Recreation Lands that Speak to the vauisition of open space for public use, it is the opinion of the Planning and Zoning Commission that the parcels in question do not provide a signi?cant recreational value given the close proximity to private residences, and often wet and dif?cult terrain. The Commission is therefore willing to let the residents of North Stonington decide at a Town Meeting whether to quit claim parcels 95-1578, 102-2790, 95?5348 back to the homeowners pending the formation of a Homeowners Association, subject to the restriction of a permanent conservation easement and maintenance agreement in a form approved by the town attorney, for open space purposes, with a mylar recorded as to the new ownership of the parcels. at sac/Mad Lou Steinbrecher, Chairman Planning and Zoning Commission AVENA KEPPLE, LLC AT LAW A. F. l?i?lJC or HA RA m1, SANDRA mans; DOMBRO USA A. iune 30, 2017 VIA EMAIL AND POST Juliet Hodge Planning, Zoning, and Land Use Official Town of North Stonington 40 Main Street North Stonington, CT 06359 RE: Chester Main Bridle Trail DearJuliet: You asked that we review the legal issues associated with the possible transfer of the three parcels of land abutting the Chester Main Subdivision, constituting what is referred to as the Chester Main Bridle Trail (?trail?), to a yet?to-be-established Chester Main home owners? association. The transfer has been requested on behalf of the remaining subdivision property owners by attorney Richard Dixon. It is not clear what consideration for the transfer the remaining property owners are proposing. It appears that they anticipate apportioning the property tax among the subdivision property owners. Background The three parcels were accepted by the town at a special town meeting on April 6, 2009. The parcels appear on the subdivision map as three strips of land of approximately 30 feet in width running behind the residential parcels in the subdivision. One of the three parcels borders the subdivision on the western side; the other two border the subdivision on the east. The Town?s Conservation Commission had been working on the eastern parcels in anticipation of improving public access until the fall of 2016, when home owners of abutting subdivision parcels raised concerns about public access to the trail. The proposed 2i} ANGUILLA ROAD, PO. BOX H45, 063W Tcicpilonc: (860) 5004730 Facsimile: (860) 599-3778 Juliet Hodge June 30, 2017 Page 2 transfer of the parcels to the future home owner?s association followed. The Board of Selectman asked the Planning and Zoning Commission review the proposal and make a report to be considered at a Town Meeting; it is the intent of the remaining property owners inthe-subdivision, should the proposal be approved, to limit access to the trail to the property owners and to the ?additional limited use? by way of a preexisting easement, to riders from Pickwick Farm, with the public retaining access to Williams Cemetery from Chester Main Road. CGS ?8-2g?roperty Transfer As you are aware, pursuant to C65 ?8-24, before the town can, as proposed here, sell municipally owned property, the Planning and Zoning Commission must consider the matter and make a report to the town within 35 days of the official submission of the proposal. Whether the report is favorable or unfavorable, the sale can be approved by a majority of those present at a Town Meeting, or by means of a referendum. We have not found any legal obstacle to the proposed transfer. As the trail has not yet been effectively opened for public use, it does not appear there has been any established access by the public at large other than through the Pickwick Farm easement. Section ?8~24 provides that the sale can be approved either by means of a positive report or a majority vote at a town meeting. CGS ?8-18 Resubdivision We also reviewed whether a transfer of the Town?s Chester Main parcels would constitute a resubdivision pursuant to C65 ?8-18, which would require the same application and review process as any subdivision. Because the proposed sale of the parcels would change the ownership but not the subdivision map, any transfer of the three Town parcels would not be a resubdivision. In the event that the sale is ultimately approved, we recommend that mylars be filed with the town reflecting the new ownership of the trail parcels. We also do not consider that a "public improvement? shown on the original subdivision map would be affected by the transfer, which would trigger a resubdivision under ?8~18, because no note or designation was made on the original subdivision map that these parcels were dedicated for public use. Juliet Hodge June 30, 2017 Page 3 C. Please contact me should you have any additional questions regarding this matter. Robert Ayena Shawn Murphy (via email) Sincerely, .. I (X r) X) Sandra Beck Dombro Attorney at Law CnEern mans ESTATES re re 2a: noMEoyvNEns Assocmrron I MMGRANDEM or AGREEMENT The representing 100% of the landowners of the building lots within the Chester Main Estates, a Subdivision located in North Stonington, Connecticut hereby agree as follows. Whereas, a certain subdivision located in the Town of North Stonington, Connecticut, was granted by the North Stonington Planning and Zoning Commission on March 9, 1995 - Notice ?led on the Land Records of the Town of North Stonington on Mlay 30, 1995 at Volume 105, page 727, and the subdivision plans and maps and declarations were duly filed on the land records of the Town of North Stonington, and Whereas, the subdivision plans and maps include a set-aside border trail known collectively as the ?Bridle Trail? (?East Trail?, and ?West Buffer? on respective plans), and Whereas, the purchasers of the lots in the subdivision, in accordance with the Chester Main EstEates Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions, believed that the ?Bridle Trail? was for the exclusive use of the owners of real preperty located in the subdivision-(not withstanding a certain easement to Pickwick Farms 0n file in the land records of the Town of north Stonington at'tVolume 144, page 43 9), and Whereas, the developer never formed a homeowners association for the purpose of accepting and holding the ?Bridle Trail for the benefit of the homeowners?, and Whereas, the deveIOper (by way of its successor in title) transferred the ?Bridle Trail? to the Town of North Stonington by ?quit claim? deeds recorded on the land records of the Town of North Stonington at Volume 194, page 615, and Volume 194, page 625, on May; 6th 2009 and February 29th 2008, respectively, and - Whereas, the Town of North Stonington, by way of a special town meeting April 6, 2009 accepted said transfer, and Whereas, the aftersigned believe that the ?Bridle Trail?, not withstanding the above referenced ansfer, remains for the exclusive use of the land owners of Chester Main Estates (together with additional limited use by way of the Pickwick Farm easement), and 1 Whereas, the selectmen of the Town of North Stonington have agreed to refer the matter of the returir of the ?Bridle Trail? to the landowners of the CheSter Main Subdivision to Planning and Zoning of North Stonington, and then to a special town meeting to consider the return by way of a transfer to a Chester Main Estates homeowners assodiation, to be formed for the purpose of accepting and holding said Bridle Trail for the exclusive use of the landowners of Chester Main Estates (and to the ?additional limited use? by way of the Pickwick Farms easement). i i i i I 0W THEREFOR, the aftersigned, representing all of the laridowners of Chester Main Estates agree as follows: l. 2. To support the return of the ?Bridle Trail? to the use and Econtrol ofthe landowners of Chester Main Estatesform a Chester Main Estates Homeowners Association to accept t1tle to the ?Bridle? Trail property, 1. . To agree to contribute to any municipal taxes and insurarfce and such other reasonable costs as may be required by thehorneowners association, which shall be in the nature of a tax which attaches to the land, tie the extent legally possible. And, further agree, voting rights for such] association shall be on a per ?owner? basis, and that said association shall be formed upon approval of the transfer of the property by a special town ineeting. The Homeowners Association Agreement (to be created fpllowing the special town meeting), signed by all landowners of building lots within said subdivision, shall be placed on the land records and such (EJbligation shall ?run with the land?. LAND OWNER DATE ADDRESS OF Lofr (S) ?15? 5/ Jr? snag ned 60? 6/9613qu 77/? a .754? (Pnn ntNaI?)?\ l-l} ff/Qr?qz? (I) Jig Si H-?sn egg~?x?2?w? S/Z/a?i/j 7" (1837?. a" 1:1 ?ag (PM Lcjebi/LMJT? I 2fo (Pl-i ntNaFnc 5 ?up; 7? 73 {Mafm MA Sin 1/;2435? {Pn? ntNume} a foWf? mm Lua- Chg/7479.7 mg. 6? law 1?2an D. pdl?j?mw D7772. \ffmu 3/77] 1% (pi G?fe?m @7747. wt .. SW if! Calf/?f 9? @fw?sLM, Wag?; f/Zd 4? (Pa MNam) Sixgned 131/6:ng 3/3/12"? 55? 5%:erng mm; 335? . Signed 93 i?m?k {a {PrintNamc} I (Print Name} [2/227] f?w? 2/3/77 2272.27 ?2 {printNa??m} 7/ ?7 56? 73wa MW {bi/ff ??/Md/yft? 7/7 Mag 7 31230fo 33 (Meg-Er" MsquCCl s(Pun lecvc??k? mug/?aw F, med 9 ?lm/z? (256% Jm, mow? ?63! Sing ed (Prin netNam) m. i 95% gap/ch ?qr?m? (Pn? ntNam a} (lia?uzzq Sgnedj 517 I 5 ESZW K053i '?g?th /?V?Smm<3k; Sm ?mi/?gm/f 2% {mm ,1 Signed [Flint Name) a Signed .r (1'th EM Signed minim mm Signed (Print RH Greene Gables information BACKGROUND: 2008 - March 2017 Greene Gables has been empty and uncarednfor since 1997. The building has continued to deteriorate since the town?s 2008 purchase of Hewitt Farm. 6 At a December 2010 Town Meeting, twentyneight rules and recommendations for appropriate uses of Hewitt Farm were discussed and approved, with the exception of one item. Residents asked that information on that item be provided regarding Greene Gables' condition and possible uses, before any work was done or money was spent on it. a Professional examinations in 2011 and 2012 identified significant issues: a impact of current building code requirements, depending on the building?s use 0 Costs of returning the building to a usable condition Hazardous material in the building and possibly the ground. Professionals required to deal with such material, whether the building is renovated or demolished 0 Many additions and changes to the structure [1900 1970?s], necessitating much ongoing maintenance In May 2012, the North Stonington Historical Society recommended that Greene Gables [aka Mrs. Penfield?s Red Horse Nursery School] be preserved and restored in recognition of local artist and photographer Fred Stewart Greene?s ownership and use of the building from 1911 - 1923. From May 2012 to March 2017 there were a number of meetings, multiple visits to Greene Gables and much written communication between the Board of Selectmen, the town?s Hewitt Farm Committee and the North Stonington Historical Society. The attached Chronology and its footnoted documents is a record of this five-year time period during which the Historical Society made little progress regarding the Greene Gables building. April 2017 September 2017 011 April 11, 2017, North Stonington Historical Society President Frank Eppinger presented ?The North Stonington Historical Society?s Plan for Greene Gables? to the Board of Selectmen [document attached). Control, Funding, Use of Greene Gables and Cultural and Historic Significance were discussed. In anticipation of a Town Meeting and Referendum during the summer, the members of the Board of Selectmen and Hewitt Farm Committee noted that there was missing information related to the plan that should be addressed as soon as possible: . Content of a legal agreement between the town and North Stonington Historical Society - A professional survey of the work required to stabilize the building a Clearer information on the building?s future appearance and use[s], as well as the funding On August 22nd, Historical Society President Frank Eppinger delivered a letter to First Selectman Murphy relative to ?Stabilization and Restoration of Greene Gables Cottage at the Hewitt Farm? [document attached]. This letter did not provide answers to the questions previously asked by the Board of Selectmen. CHRONOLOGY 2008? March 2017 October 2008 North Stonington purchased the 104-acre Hewitt property from the Mystic Seaport Museum. The property is subject to restrictions in the 1967 Quit Claim Deed from Flora Hewitt to the Marine Historical Association 1 and to a May 16, 2008 ruling from CT Attorney General Richard Blumenthal. The Blumentha] letter clarifies the deed restrictions as follows: ?Specifically, the Deed provides that if the Town takes the Property upon a breach of Mystic Seaport, it must use the Hewitt property for ?recreation and park purposes?. Further, the Town would take the Property subject to the 99-year conditions enumerated in the Deed, including the directive to ?use best efforts to preserve the principal dwelling (today known as the 1 750 Farm House) as an example of an old New England farm house?.? 2 2009 December 2010 An appointed Hewitt Property Committee developed ?Uses, Rules and Recommendations? for the property. These were presented and voted upon at a December 15, 2010 Special Town Meeting. Of the 28 items prOposed, all were approved except #21, which was questioned relative to Greene Gables? condition, possible necessary repairs and how the building would be used. 2011 A new Hewitt Farm Committee was appointed in May. The committee began by reviewing the condition and maintenance issues of the property and the buildings. Greene Gables was a priority because it had been empty since 1997, was deteriorating and posed a liability. Meeting with Building Inspector Lou DiCesare provided information on the impact of current building codes on any work to be done at Greene Gables. A decision on the building?s use [family rental or public uses] would be needed in order to determine the improvements required. There would also need to be a decision about whether the entire building should be kept or only some parts. In addition, hazardous materials in the building would need to be examined and dealt with. 2012 In April Mystic Air Quality conducted a Pre-Demolition Asbestos Survey and TCLP Analysis (lead paint). 3 The report delivered to the Board of Selectmen in May showed significant problem materials. At the Board of Selectmen?s meeting on May 22nd, Mystic Air Quality Consultant Muller explained how these materials would impact the cost of demolition. He also noted that if any part of the building was retained a remodeling/ refurbishing study would be needed. The planned building use and what parts of the current structure would be retained and renovated would determine the results of that study. In May the North Stonington Historical Society contacted the Town recommending that Greene Gables (aka Red Horse Nursery [Montessori] School) be preserved and restored, because of its connection to local artist and photographer Fred Stewart Greene. 4 The Town provided the Mystic Air report to the Society and requested a proposal from the group that would describe the use of the building, the type of restoration and what parts of the building would be retained. 5 In September the Board of Selectmen, Hewitt Farm Committee and Historical Society Board toured the building to examine its condition and potential. 2013 In March the Historical Society?s Greene Gables Committee revisited the structure with Frederick Burdick, Stonington Historian, and Gregory Farmer of the CT Trust for Historic Preservation. These gentlemen intended to assist the Society to develop a plan and to apply for grants. Shortly after this visit, a report entitled ?North Stonington Historical Society?s Report and Recommendations on Greene Gables? was delivered to the Board of Selectmen. 6 The Historical Society President Frank Eppinger attended the September 17th Board of Selectmen meeting and requested that the town apply for a grant and provide other support for Greene Gables stabilization. The Board of Selectmen requested that the Society provide a professional evaluation of Greene Gables? condition and possible uses. They also advised the Society that a Town Meeting would be necessary prior to determining town support. 7 In October, Brian Cooper, a local restoration specialist, visited Greene Gables on behalf of the Historical Society and provided an estimate of $3750 for ?emergency repairs? of the roof and water?damaged areas in the structure. In November, the Town provided the Historical Society with an outline of information needed for a town meeting. The town meeting would be necessary before the town could consider funding for stabilization and any other next steps at Greene Gables. 2014? and 2015 The Town received little communication from the Historical Society in 2014- and 2015. The Historical Society produced a book by Tobias M. Goodwin entitled ?Out ofthe Attic?. The book contains Fred Stewart Greene?s biography and many examples of his photography and paintings. These works had been kept for many years in the attic of the Historical Society?s headquarters, the Stephen Main Homestead. A quote from Greene?s biography shows his connection to the Homestead: ?In 1937 Greene purchased his grandfather?s property in North Stonington which be ?putting the family heirlooms in their original places? restored to its original condition.? After Greene?s sale of Greene Gables in 1922, he wintered in Florida and spent summers in North Stonington. Most of his work was focused on areas near Westerly, RI, North Stonington and Belleview, FL. 2016 On January 14, Historical Society President Eppinger attended the Board of Selectmen?s Meeting to obtain the selectmen?s approval to have Greene Gables placed on the CT State Register of Historic Places. He assured the Board that such a designation would not constrain future decisions about the building. In the cover letter of his report, he wrote the following statement: ?Any listing on the State Register is purely an honorary and local pride enhancing designation and imposes no controls whatsoever on the Town or the building. it neither mandates the preservation of the building nor prevents its demolition.? 8 First Selectman Murphy requested that the Society bring forth recommendations for the use and funding of the building within the next 6 months. The Selectmen voted to approve the listing of Greene Gables as a ?Creative Cultural Place?. 9 In April the Hewitt Farm Committee met with the Society?s Greene Gables Committee at the Stephen Main Homestead. A number of important next steps were discussed at the end of the meeting: ?The group agreed that the Historical Society's Greene Gables Committee would seek the help of at least three professional contractors to determine what it would cost to stabilize Greene Gables from the elements and for security. The Historical Society committee will also investigate the possibility of employing a grant?writer and look into other grants possible for this type of project. Once stabilization information becomes available it should be possible for the Historical Society committee to draft a Plan of Action." (Taken from the April 18?l minutes of the Hewitt Farm Committee] 10 2017 At the February 6, 2017 Hewitt Farm Committee meeting, the committee completed a review of Greene Gables? possible uses and condition. A majority of members agreed that they were in favor of demolition. They also discussed that the final decision would be in the hands ofthe voters. 11 In March First Selectman Murphy and Hewitt Farm Committee Co?chair Nita Kincaid met with Society President Eppinger to discuss plans to hold'a Town Meeting to determine whether Greene Gables should be demolished, given the poor condition of the building and the lack of any plan or communication from the Society since the spring of 2016. President Eppinger provided materials entitled ?Reasons to Save Greene Gables?. The handout suggested a needed public use for Greene Gables to become an environmental education and reception/information center for the Hewitt Farm?. Also mentioned was a plan to hire a professional fundraiser and to focus on certain Community Foundation of Eastern CT grants as possibilities. The Society also recommended that the Town transfer ownership of Greene Gables to them, which would enable fundraising. At this meeting First Selectman Murphy and Hewitt Farm Committee Co?chair Kincaid explained the reasons why it was necessary and appropriate to take the question of saving or demolishing Greene Gables to a Town Meeting for a decision: 1. Item 28 of the Uses, Rules, and Recommendations approved at the December 2010 Town Meeting reads ?Other uses, rules, and regulations not specifically addressed in these recommendations must be approved by the Board ofSelectmen and may require a Town Meeting. 2. The Historical Society was asked in January 2016 to bring forth recommendations for the use and funding of the building within the next 6 months. It is now well over a year. 3. Money was put in the 2016/2017 budget for demolition of buildings in poor condition, causing liabilities and blight. 4. The Town?s communication with the North Stonington Historical Society for 5 years has not resulted in a concrete plan for Greene Gables future. 1 October 8, 2008 Warranty Deed between Mystic Seaport Museum, Inc. and the Town of North Stonington for pur7hase of the Hewitt property. 2 May 16, 2008 Letter from Richard Blumenthal, Attorney General, State of Connecticut, providing his opinion ?as to whether the Town of North Stonington?s (the ?Town?) proposal to purchase from Mystic Seaport 104 acres of property in the Town (?the preperty?, subject to a charitable deed restriction, would be legally permissible. 3 May 1, 2012 Report to Mr. Nicholas Mullane, Town of North Stonington, from Mystic Air Quality Consultant, Inc. on Pie?Demolition Asbestos Survey and TCLP Analysis (4/24/12). 4 May 10, 2012 Letter from Kevin McBride, Vice President, North Stonington Historical Society to Board of Selectmen and Hewitt Farm Committee on the subject of ?Preservation of Greene Gables House a/k/a Red Horse Nursery (Montessori) School at the Hewitt Farm?. 5 June 8, 2012 Letter to the North Stonington Historical Society (Frank Eppinger, President and Kevin McBride, Vice President) ?'om Nita Kincaid, Hewitt Farm Committee Co-chair on the subject of ?Greene Gables Information?. 6 March 12, 2013 Report to Nicholas H. Mullane II, First Selectman and Ms. Nita Kincaid, Chairperson, The Hewitt Farm Committee from North Stonington Historical Society President Frank Eppinger on ?North Stonington Historical Society?s Report and Recommendation on Greene Gables?. 7 September 17, 2013 Town of North Stonington, Board of Selectmen, Regular Meeting Minutes. 8 January 14, 2016 Report to the Board of Selectmen from North Stonington Historical Society President Frank Eppinger on ?Greene Gables Cottage, Former Home and Art Studio of Artist and Photographer Fred Stewart Greene and Montessori School ?Little Red Horse? of Ruth Pen?eld?. 9 January 26, 2016 Town of North Stonington, Board of Selectmen Meeting, Amended Minutes. April 18, 2016 Hewitt arm Committee Meeting with North Stonington Historical Society, Workshop Minutes. 11 February 6, 2017 Town of North Stonington, Hewitt Farm Committee, Regular Meeting Minutes SGCIETY Cine Wyassup Road, R0. Box 134 North Stonington, Connecticut 06359 APRIL 1-1, 2017 THE NORTH STONINGTON HISTORICAL (NSHS) PLAN OR CONTROL: In order for the NSHS to raise money to stabilize Greene Gables, to hire carpenters to work on the. structure, and to actually follow through on the needed work, the Town of North Stonington must authorize the to have control of thestructure, and the immediate area around the structure (adjacent to the building, driveway) by leasing the preperty to the NSHS for $1 a year. with mutuallvlagreeable eonditionsto allow the NSHS, as a charitable entity (IRS Section 501(c)(3) recognized corporation) to raise .?J-ndsland to assure the Town that meaningful progress toward stabilization and restoration of Greene Gables is being made; and THE FUNDS FOR STABILIZATION AN REPAIRJRESTORATION, THE NSHS WILL NOT SEEK ANY-FUNDING FROM THE TOWN OF NOR-TH PRESENTLY OR THE FUTURE: . The NSHS will expend immediately (within 30 days of receiving a?uthbrization to prooeed? - - control of ?G'reehe Gables? from the Board of Selectmen/Town Meeting?), the sum of $10,000 of its own money to stabilize the structure and immediately hire a professional fund raiser to seek grants from the Public (including families that lived in Greene Gables and the considerable number of parents, students, followers and supporters of Ruth Penfield?s Little Red Horse Nursery School, the ?rst Montessori School in Southeastern Connecticut), the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut (the Leta Fund and the Old Lyme Janvrin Sister?s Ornithological Fund) and the Bode?nwein Fund. The $10,000 to be expended by the NSHS is approximately three times the estimate for stabilization giver: several years ago by Brian Cooper, a resident of our town and noted audiority on historic building restoration and restorer of the Anna Coit Dye House of the NSHS. Additional estimates for the stabilization will be obtained from Eugene Anderson, a long time member of the who has worked on both the Stephen Main Homestead and the Anna Coit Dye House and whose woi'iqnaoship is recognized in both North Stonington and Stonington and Southeastern Connecticut; and THE USE OF THE REPAIREDIRESTORED The NSHS wants to work together with the Hewitt Farm Committee, the Board of Selectmen, the Recreation Connoission, and the Public School System to develop uses for Greene Gables, once it is stabilized and made serviceable. The potential uses include an Environmental Looming Center (to be used by the Public School and the Denison Pequot?Series Nature Center DPNC which would feature the Natural History/wildlife corridor of the Heivitt?Farm and neighboring Pachaug State Forest), an of?ce/conference room for use by the Hewitt Committee and the Community Gardens, at Reception Center for the Hewitt Farm, an Activity Center/Of?ce for a Summer Day Camp to be held at the Hewitt Farm, and a gathering point fer Ornithological Studies and local birding walks held by the DPNC, The Connecticut Audubon Society, the Connecticut Ornithological Association and Rhode Island AudubOn Society. The very rare . Cerulean Warbler and many other woodland birds freqUent the area; . CULTURAL AND HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE OF The Cultural and Historic signi?cance of Greene Gables is Well known 'andifu'lly doc'urnented.? It i is the building in the Town of North Stonington listed on the Chnnect'icut Registry of Histbric Places. -1 Historic Preservation has an important Beonomic Component presently and in?the future for North Stdningron. History is a economic People are drawn to communities that have preserved a strong sense of historical identity and character. Cultural heritage is a demonstrated asset and an essential component of any vibrant local economy, providing an infrasthture' that attracts talent and enhances business development. Towns that preserve and protect their history and culture thrive and are progressive. Respectfully submitted, THE NORTH STONINGTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY NORTH STONWGTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY One Wyassup Road, Rt). Box 134 North Stonington, Connecticut {16359 August 22, 2017 Mr. Shawn Murphy First Selectman Town of North Stonington 40 Main St. North Stonington, CT 06359 Re: Stabilization and Restoration of ?Greene Gables Cottage?l at the Hewitt Farm Dear Shawn: 1 lam wilting on behalf of the ?Greene Gables? Committee of the North Stonington Historical Society, inc. The Committee and Society want to stabilize and restore the historically and . culturally important cone Gables Cottage?, the home and art school of Fred Stewart Greene and equally signi?cant the building which he used the Little Red [torso No.1 sery Schooio {Roth Pen?eld, for name than forty years, the ?rst Montessori School 111 Eastern Connecticut To laise money f?l the stabilization and restoration of ?Greene Gabies?, the N01 th Stonington Historical Society, Inc, an IRS 501(c)(3) quali?ed charity must have control of the structure that is, standing to solicit contributions which are tax deductible to the donors. Iieqnest that the Town of North Stoningtonl ease ?Greene Gables Cottage? and a parcel of land that it sits on, to the North Stonington Historical Society, Inc foi one dollar 00) per yeat, with a clause that the lease 1 enews anneally but 13 revocable by the Town if signi?cant progress is not being made toward stabilization and restoration. The North Stonington Historical Society, Inc, would do the following: '1 Commit $10,000 of its own money to the project; and 1 Listed on the Connecticut Register of Historic Places Shawn Murphy, First Selectman Town of North Stouington August 22, 2017 Page 2 *3 Hire a professional ?led?raiser to apply for charitable grants for stabilization and restoration, including the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut (Peter Leta Fund) and Westerly Rhode Island Charitable where the work of Fred Stewart Greene is equally signi?cant; and . The North Stoniagton Historical Society, Inc representatives have already met with stabilizationhestoration contractors to assess the condition of the building and determirm what 1s needed to save the structure; and *5 I The building would be used as an ?Environmental Learning/Cultural and Local History center? and to support all the activities of the Hewitt Farm of which it is a part; and - The North Stonington Historical Society, Inc. would not seek any funding. whatsoever from the Town of North Stonington, but rather, it would request that any monies allocated to demolition of the historic and culturally signi?cant ?Greene Gables Cottage? be spent on the North Stonington School System either for day~to~day operations or the building program to update the safety and infrastructure there. Altelnatively this money could be allocated to the new Fire Hall presently under construction. lunderstand that eene Gables Cottage?s future is to be brought before a Town Meeting andl 1equest the above be added to the agenda for public input and decision. Very Respectfully, or Mark Donahue Nicholas H. Mullane II Kevin McBride Tobias Goodman, MD Richard Seager (via email: dickseager@oomcast.net)