is this meeting of the Westport Historical Commission is now open. We're starting a little bit late because we had a a document issue, but um now we're good to go. Um so I'd like to um start off by
welcoming our new secretary, Maria Blanco. Did I pronounce that correctly? >> Okay. Um, so Maria, uh, I've I've had the pleasure of working with Maria in the past on the, um, on the community preservation commission and, uh, very
excited to have her working for us. >> It's nice to be here. >> Great. Uh, I also want to thank Katrina for her service the past couple years as as secretary. >> My pleasure. >> And now we'll find another another thing for you to do. >> That's all right.
>> Yeah. Um okay. Um minutes of the meeting of February 5th I have just a few comments. Uh so on page two second to
the last paragraph um the last clause I think the word asked is missing. Ask for more details. U page three about halfway down it says GS opened the public GS open the hearing
for public comment. Um I'd like to refer to that as the public hearing because that that's an official thing that we have to do. So I just change that to GS open the public hearing. Uh and then further down uh there being
no further public comments, the public hearing was closed at this time. And then uh page page five um the um first paragraph I' like to change
that to saying several commissioners indicated that this was a straightforward project etc. um just because we are, you know, officially not allowed to take any sort of poll or vote and and so um we don't
really seek to agree at the preliminary hearings. We just um express our opinions individually. Any other comments? >> I have no I had made some changes before I submitted them to everybody. So I just had some okay
>> typos that I made before. >> Okay. Do I hear a motion? >> I move to approve the minutes. >> Second. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I. >> All oppose. The mot uh the minutes are approved. >> Do you want to make the changes and put them in the Google Drive or how you want
it? >> Um Maria, >> you've got the Yeah, you've got the master copy >> and I can make the changes. >> Yeah. Okay. >> And we could talk sometime maybe about using the Google Drive folder. >> Oh, that's right. Yeah. Um so we're in a
central place. >> Great. >> Okay. Um treasures report. There is no treasures report this month. Uh so on to applications for certificate of appropriateness. 2028 Main Road uh
replace windows. >> This is property of George and El George George and Elizabeth Robson. Uh and it's presented by just a hand out package for everybody. >> This is basically what was submitted more manageable.
>> Thank you. news, too. >> Uh, for the record, I'm Christopher Kit Wise, uh, representing the Robsons on this little project. Um, we looked at it last month, and this is 20 28 Main Road. Um,
>> that's the little house without the porches, right? The house with the porches. >> My house. >> Yeah. >> It's Matt Doyle's old place. Okay. >> Yeah, that's the house. >> There's a there's a photograph of it there in the in the package. >> Thank you.
>> Um uh what we're proposing to do is to change two sets of windows. Um these drawings, uh show the existing condition on the bottom and the proposed at the top. This is the south
elevation. This is the north elevation. On the south, we have this small dormer here which is inside the uh in the bedroom and provides no view. So, we're proposing to move the dormer forward by foot and then drop the windows down into
the main wall below. Um uh on the other side of the house at the back of the family room, there are these three high windows looking north. We're proposing to change those to three full-size windows. Um,
the reason uh the reason we want to do the bedroom windows, I'll have these out. I've got three copies here. Um, and these show the interior.
You can share there and share there and share there. Um you can see the inside of the bedroom has only high windows with no view. There is a window on the there is a window on the east side but
it really just looks at the roof of the addition. U so uh changing these three windows in the dormer um will provide an adequate view. Um, and on the north side of the building, um,
enlarging the windows would just make the space a more friendly space. There's a photograph, I think the last photograph in that little bunch that I just handed to you, um, shows those windows from the inside. They're not very generous. I think the
previous owners didn't want to uh look at the neighbors to the north, but the new owners were perfectly happy to do that and get the light. Um there was one other question uh at our preliminary hearing um about dropping this dormer
through the gutter line. So I took some photographs up and down the district which show other houses where dormer windows have been dropped down through the gutter line. >> Go.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. Um so I think I think doing that is consistent and congruous with the rest of the district. Um uh last month we talked about the existing windows in the dormer and
whether they were old original windows and in fact they're not. They were Marvin windows that we put into the house in that renovation 10 years ago. Um and that's basically all I have to say.
Are you uh you're not replacing the the dormer windows or not changing the dormer windows in the north side of the house? >> We're not. If you look at the interior photographs there, you'll see that that's where the bed is. Um, and so it's just as well to have the high windows behind the bed.
And the and the windows you said were we're we used Marvin last time so we use Marvin again. The same ones. >> Is it Elevate or Ultimate? Which ones are you using? Elevate. >> Ultim Ultimate. >> Ultimate. Those are nicer. Um
>> yeah. >> Mints. Yeah. It seems for today that it's almost practical to do that if you particularly if you're facing south. Um but in the kind of the consort of uh
homes there are there any left that have not enlarged have not not done what you have done that is when you drive through many historic neighborhoods you really see just a small window where you think
um oh that could be a bit nicer if it was uh laid down as you you're doing here but Is is there is there much of a display of windows that have done have
been done this way? >> Well, that's what that second that second set of of >> photographs I gave gave you >> where where the where the windows have been cut down through the gutter line. >> Yeah. um sometimes perhaps as an original
design feature. Um but uh it's not an illogical not an illogical alteration to make. Um and as I say, it's consistent and congruent with other other houses in the district. >> Yeah, >> pretty straightforward. I mean, we heard
it last month and it's consistent with what we discussed last time. >> I don't have any questions. Um, let's uh open a public hearing. Public hearing is now open. Are there any comments from the public hearing? None. I closed the public
hearing. Any other comments? >> You're the only member of the public here. Jeff place, but they didn't come today. So, >> just a question for my edification. When we were talking about extending the
windows to the uh the guideline where which I think looks great, but where are you doing this? >> Well, you you can see here that the this is the existing dormer. >> Yeah. >> And the gutter comes continuously across
here. The face of the dormer, this face of the dormer is set back one foot behind this wall. So, we need to move the face of the dormer out, rebuild the dormer roof, and and then drop the windows down because the windows will
now be in the same plane as the wall below. And so, they cut right through the gutter. >> Okay, I get it. >> So, we have to cut the gutter off between here and here. >> I understand. >> To drop the windows down. Okay. >> Do you have any other questions?
>> Yeah, I changed my mind. Um, >> yeah. Well, by the way, just the the opening and closing of the public hearing doesn't mean we can't hear public comments outside of that. It's just a formal part of the process. >> I'm just curious, is there any um thing inside that precludes you from taking
those windows when you rebuild that door to slide it over to be symmetric on the uh to the first one? Um, I think they're symmetrical within the room itself
on the inside because you can see that these are pretty much centered in this space. But, um, it would be a whole bigger project to cut more of the roof apart
>> in order to do that. Don't you remember that old saying it was hung on the boards in in in architecture school? Symmetry is the hobgoblin of small minds. >> Oh dear.
>> He's also the historic mines. That's okay. >> K. Uh the space above the windows. There's a lot of space before you get uh up to the the the uh fascia and corners of the
of what you're doing there. The addition >> there's a great deal of space above the windows here. And where's the roof line? Um well, this is this is a lot of the eve right here. >> Okay. I see. And then the roof is sloping back.
>> Yeah. I'm >> Yeah. Okay. Okay. Yeah. I I could have done a side elevation of that, but I didn't. >> There there are some shadowy lines on your drawing that don't seem to be on ours.
>> I don't think so. >> Are there some boxes around around that corner or something? >> Oh, yeah. Yes. Um this is just a just a highlight um that I didn't take off. It was a It was a It was a uh just a a box
around it that I had in the preliminaries that was done in red so that you could see what I was proposing. >> Pay attention here. >> Yeah. Yeah. That's all that is. >> Do you have a question? >> No, it's the same dormer. It's just now it's brought out and then it's got the three windows.
>> The the roof of the p roof of it is being picked up as well. >> Yes. Mhm. >> to accommodate the new windows. >> Right. Right. Of course, I prefer it would be preferred to have the windows above that
gutter line, above the corners, but you're saying it's limited by I can see by the ceiling height in here. >> Yes. >> Um, and >> well, it's consistent with the other window that cuts through. E even if if
we done that then you'd have fulls size windows with the sills way up here >> and and the top >> Yeah, I can see that. So, one of the distinguishing uh things about older uh city urban uh
architectures is that you don't get to change these things quite so much because um a neighborhood is generally um a set of windows as it goes across a
building. uh across several buildings. I don't think it makes that much difference myself personally here because so many uh buildings have been kind of mixed with the various elements. >> Yes, they have one-story editions and
story and a half editions and full twotory editions. So you you get all sorts of things up in different levels all around. Having lived in the servants quarters in a house in Connecticut in my early life, um the windows were always high. You didn't need to then have them
looking at you in the garden kind of thing or just less attention to them. But uh I I think here this is this is what we've come to live with is historic the complex array of geometries and
kind of scale giving features that that are not uniform to one kind of period or another. I have no concern about either. I think the, you know, the building in the back, it's way back, lets light in. I think if
the neighbor doesn't mind, that's great. And I think that, you know, the client wants more light in their room, it's a great way to be able to do it that is pretty congruous with everything else and just, you know, tastefully done and
scales and um I have no issue having a small array projects uh here. I'd say also the advantage of a Marvin window infiltration is so much less than probably what was there that uh
environmentally it's it's a large impact but that collection of tighter windows. Well, I I did I did point out that at the preliminary hearing, I wasn't sure what these windows were, whether we had replaced them in the renovation 10 years ago, but it turns out that these are in
fact good modern tight marble windows or just too small, >> right? >> Do we still want to discuss or do you want a motion, Garrett? What's your >> I'm I'm >> still looking. >> Still thinking. Okay. >> Anybody else have questions? No. Okay.
All right. Do I hear a motion? >> I move to approve the project as discussed. >> I second. >> Okay. Let's do a roll call vote. Katrina Strosac. Mark >> Thompson. I >> Deborah Chie. >> Garrett Stark. I
>> William Gallo. I >> Caroline Ber. >> Great. >> Thank you very much. >> May I have the interior photographs back because I don't think >> personal belong in public domain. >> Yeah, they won't be um posted anywhere, but you can have them.
>> Yeah. Could I make a comment about this or could I keep this? >> Here's the thing. This is a window that we it's not on our list of approved windows and if you look at it the meeting rail is very very wide and um
they've been using the pillow window which we have approved uh the Anderson um Woodright window and the Marvin um this is not the Marvin >> this is the ultimate versus elephant. >> Yeah, right. And it's it says it's a historical window, but if you look at
it, uh it's really not because the windows in the district are very delicate and have very thin me meeting rails about an inch and a half thick. And so just for the record, I just wanted to mention that >> an elevate has a thinner one. You're
saying the elevate is more historic, >> right? The elevator is more. Okay. >> So, >> may I have that? But this matches the windows that are there. So, um so we can approve it. I just want to get some uh signatures on
application. And can we pick some um monitors too for this? >> I'm happy to monitor anybody else. Caroline, you're right there. So, yeah.
Okay. Katrina and Carolina. I'm just going to note that. >> And uh in reviewing our our rules, we're supposed to have four signatures. >> Four signatures. Oh, okay. We haven't been doing that. We've been doing just three, >> right? >> All right. So, uh let's sign off on one
of the plan documents. Interior plans. We don't need that. Is that pretty representational? And I'll attach >> I think we can sign the application. >> The application. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> But um
>> we often sign the plans. That's what I think we're actually supposed to initial every page of >> really. >> Well, we haven't been doing that. That's a lot of paper to hold on to. >> Let me let me just let me just check.
>> We should get this straight. Um I I would just interject. We got bids today for the church project. >> Oh, great. >> Okay. >> And they're high, but it looks like it's going to be manageable. >> We hope to get going on that this first
stage. Yeah. That's exciting. I mean, as a monitor, it's nice to have like >> what we're doing. That's >> the monitor can have that. >> I think the purpose of of initialing the um copies. >> Thanks, Jeff.
>> Is that they go to >> they go to the building commission, building department >> really? Because I just give them the certificate. I often don't give them described what's being done. >> Okay. Okay. in the description on the certificate, but not
>> Okay. So, I'll Why don't Why don't we do what what we've been doing tonight and and then let's let's um let's review it. >> All right. So, let's sign on this one because this I think between this and this these are representative of what is happening project. So, why don't we sign
this? I'll sign bill and sign. >> I guess we've signed both pages. That's why just today's uh will be dated on the certificates four >> and also in the files I can tell you
that has not been done. >> Yeah. Yeah. So I just want to >> So we should >> try to streamline it a little bit because that's a lot of paper. >> Yeah. We'll talk about that later in the meeting. >> Should we get four just for the fun of it? I'll get Caroline to sign.
>> I guess I'm looking in here to see if there's anything in here about signatures, but I don't haven't gotten to it yet. >> There. That's There is. Yeah, I I read it today. So, >> okay, I'll take that back my file
and I'll issue the certificate tomorrow. See how it fit into Becky. All right, that's done. >> So, the next item is um 2015 main road
uh Robert Brona construct pool complex in Portland continued from February 5th, 2026 meeting. Um, so the applicants have requested a continuation until the meeting on April 1st, 2026 at 6 PM.
Um, and it was brought to my attention uh recently, last few days, that um, April 1st is actually the first day of Passover. And uh so that um uh that prompted us to
look into moving the meeting to March 31st. And I think we have lined that up. That's a Tuesday. Uh the meeting will be in the uh select board meeting room at 6 pm
and uh I have both verbal and email confirmation from the applicants that moving the meeting to um that that they agreed to to um continue until March 31st, 2026. >> Great. Um, so for the record, I just
want to state once more that that um this matter is continued until March 31st uh 6 p.m. in the town hall select board meeting room >> and Sean is signing the continuence and
sending that back to you. Correct. >> I've asked him to do that. Y and uh and we will be discussing u the additional details that he'll be providing about the project. >> Do you want me to follow up with him to
see what they've prepared before they appear before the next meeting? >> Um he he promised to get us something sooner. I mean, not at the last minute. So, but let's let's just take >> follow up with him, make sure they've
got they're ready. Yeah. >> Okay. >> And that will be presented to us in a in an email then prior to the meeting. >> Yeah. He'll inform us that he's got his materials and then he'll he'll we'll get >> I'll send whatever he sends to the commission
>> in advance. >> And in fact, in the in the continuation form, I put a a date of March 25th. >> March 25th. >> Yeah. All materials would have to be >> I'm curious. There was >> March. There's some concern about the engineer not being fully informed on on
certain parts of the project. >> Are you talking about the conservation commission issues? The um >> um I just recall that he was um not able to respond to some of the questions, >> right? >> And the question I think was implied
that um is he the only person to present if this is going to be as important project as it is. So, our answers can be responded to, >> right? Yeah. Um, well, I I I think we we shouldn't discuss this anymore. We're we're not allowed really to deliberate
on it. So, I mean, I I think we do have some concerns about the the um uh the amount of detail and those have been communicated to them and and we'll see what they come back with. >> Okay. >> Okay. Um
applications for certificate of non-applicability there are none and there are no preliminary reviews. So we move on to general business monitors reports >> reports. It's kind of a slow time >> there. Um I can't remember the property.
I will look it up, but um Martha Slate, who lives um off of Drift that you can sort of see from Main Road, they completed the solar panel installation, >> right? >> And the new roof color, >> yes, is black.
>> Um and I will say that she did a terrific job as a monitor. She let me know everything and it was great because often times I find I have to walk the dog and look and realize, oh, somebody started something
>> and it makes it a little tough to stay on top of things. So, she did a fabulous job. >> Right. Right. >> Very grateful for that. >> I was the other monitor and and I also got those emails and yeah, it was it was great. >> Uh, we also have the annual report
completed. Okay. that you and I collaborated on and that's available to put into the record. >> Okay. Um, do we want to take a minute to see any >> bruising?
No. 8 by10 color glossies with >> circles and lines and a description of >> right. So this is a a requirement that we um we create an annual report each year that talks about the activities of the
commission and Deborah um >> compiled it >> compiled it initiated it. >> Interesting to me that we issue this on an annual basis calendar basis yet everything else is on the Westport you know fiscal year in July uh June June
30th. Did the town contact you about this report? >> No, I'm just making an observation. I was just surprised. Historically, we have always done it as of December 31, a calendar year. And I don't know if you want to continue that. Happy to. >> I didn't see anything in the rules saying when when the annual report had
to be done. So >> So we'll stick with December 31. >> Well, it might it would make more sense, I think, actually to do it, you know, according to the fiscal year. Then you could, you know, report >> how much money was spent in the year and so on. I mean, probably difference of $5. I
mean, >> yeah. >> I mean, I don't know. Do you want me to contact Carla and see if they want it as a fiscal year end? Because we can roll it forward. >> Yeah. Yeah. Right. We should we should be in accordance with what other commissions and departments are doing.
>> Maria, you may know. Is everything else done on the fiscal >> calendar? Really? Everything's calendar. >> Usually the annual reports my classes need. Oh, so it is calendaring. >> I might want to hold it. All right. I know. I'm probably holding it a little
too far away if I had my glasses. >> So, we're okay with December then. >> Yeah. Maybe that's something we could uh put in our rules. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> I had a question about that when I was doing it. >> Historically what we've done, right?
>> Okay. So, that'll be in the Google Drive, right? Okay. >> Any any uh comments that Yes. And >> I think Garrett, you made a comment in the report that we everyone that came before us this year,
>> they were prepared. They brought their information and we approved their certificates. Every single certificate of appropriateness was approved that was requested this year, >> right? >> So I think that's notable. >> Yeah. Yeah, I think so, too. um wasn't always approved exactly how it
came to us, but I think you know most of the time we we well every every time we got it we succeeded in >> moving a certificate. >> Garrett, I know at one point um and I'm just reminded because I read it on the annual report. Um we were going to talk
about the Wolf Pit School. >> Yes. But um you know I so I'm not sure what happened with that or maybe that's for a later meeting but I'm just my curiosity has peaked because >> yeah nothing nothing has happened with
it and that's partly by >> it's due to my judgment about you know changes in personnel and >> got it >> you know um how much we can >> impose on on the legal department at this time you know things like that. So >> Got it. It's a complicated little
>> It's a It's a complicated preservation and um you know I I am >> I I certainly haven't forgotten about it. >> Yeah. >> And hoping that you know maybe this spring would be a good time to >> Okay, great. >> Yeah, I think that's a great >> great thing. It might be worthwhile to
tell Chris Vitali, the new town administrator, where that is because >> we brought Betty and I met with him and we brought up some issues around CPC and >> he was interested in learning more about things that we all work on including the town farm and the wolf.
>> Yeah. And I'm going to meet with him and Tony Mill about the town farm >> and that that'll be an opportunity to talk to him about some issues. He's great, by the way, just for the record. >> He's really good. >> Good. >> Good to talk to.
>> Okay, so um next um next item, discussion of possible commission rule changes, including changes to modernize and streamline commission operations. And so I talked about I mentioned this at the last meeting and um
just wanted to get it on the agenda before we actually seriously started discussing it. And so maybe I can just give a little overview of what I have in mind. Okay. Um so so just to review
>> wasn't trying to tell you >> just to review our our structure. So, so there there are town bylaws that set up the commission, govern the commission, and excuse me, those those bylaws can only be changed um at town
meeting by a vote at town meeting. So, um that's kind of the the strictest most firm level of our of our rules and guidelines. Then there are are rules and regulations and rules rules and regulations can be
changed by us but uh requires a public hearing and so if we decide that we want to change rules and regulations what we'll have to do is come up with a set of proposed changes um announce it as a public hearing and then we'll discuss it
at a at a public hearing. When we do a when we do a notice of public hearing for something like that, it that is general, we would still use the newspaper digital notice because normally we send out a butter letters,
>> right? Yeah. >> We can't send letters to everybody. Just be the notice digital >> and the bulletin board. >> And the bulletin board. Okay. And and so Garrett, if let's say I don't know, I can't even pick a rule,
but let's say we wanted to modify something. So it has to be done in a public hearing. >> And if there are members of the public that say no, we don't agree with that. >> How like what do we vote on if we want to make the change or what's the
>> Okay. And so we take into consideration feedback like, oh gosh, we hadn't thought of that. or hey, I appreciate your feedback, but that really isn't going to change the way that we want to run this. So, >> yeah. Similar to what we do for a certificate. >> Okay.
>> Appropriately. Yeah. >> So, that would be um in a public meeting, uh the discussion or deliberations and >> well, so I mean that I mean that the public could be here at this meeting. Um
but but the p the public hearing part of it is a formal thing and so that requires notice uh which would be done in the newspaper and also on the town bulletin board and then it requires you know sort of a formal opening of a public hearing where anybody >> who wants to venue in our venue in the
>> I mean it could it could be a special >> meeting of the commission but it could also just be a regular meeting. Um and so so yeah, we would hear input from any member of the public who wanted to give us input and then we could incorporate that into our our decisions. >> Okay.
>> Yeah. Um so you know well yeah so let me just continue that. So so we got the bylaws, we have our rules and regulations and then we have our guidelines. And uh our guidelines I think we can change um as far as I can tell we can
change without a public hearing. Um of course these things they're not all independent. So you know changing one thing affects the other things and um yeah and there's a fair bit of repetition. Um, so >> and I would think any of the changes
that we make have to check against the other rules to make sure >> Exactly. >> ambiguous or contravening something that was already >> right. So by >> So for example, the the um the bylaws say that we don't have jurisdiction over
walls and fences. >> And um and that's actually in in in state law. um state law lists certain things that um uh can be excluded from the overview of the commission and walls
and fences is one of them and when the commission was set up by the town uh that's one of the things that was excluded was walls and fences. So we couldn't create something in our rules that would give us jurisdiction over walls and fences.
Okay. So, I I have a couple of um specific areas that that I've been thinking about. Um, one of them is solar panels and we've I think we've sort of annunciated a a um
some some some rules I mean that we've been trying to follow ourselves, but I'd like to get those codified in our in our rules and regulations. >> And you want them to be part of the rules and regulations, not guidelines. >> I I think that would be the best place for them. Yeah. Um
uh the the second thing I' I'd like to think about is electronic submission of documents. >> Pardon? >> Electronic submission of documents. Um third thing is um like to think about
the document documentation that we require for certificates of non-applicability. Um, and we had a an incident where uh the homeowners said they were going to paint a house
the same color and it wasn't the same color. And and so I think we we need to be a little firmer on that. So for example, if somebody's painting their house and they want a certificate of non-licability, we should require a paint sample or, you know, a specific
paint. Well, roofs, I don't think we have jurisdiction on the roofs, do we? >> Yeah. So, so for roofs, roofs are kind of an interesting case because um right in according to the town bylaws, we don't have jurisdiction over the
color or materials for roofs. And the reason this is a little bit um strange is because state law doesn't actually offer that as as one of the things that you can put that the town
can put into its bylaws. >> Let me ask a clarification on what you just said. If we don't have jurisdiction over the materials of a roof, >> Yeah. >> if someone wanted to use solar roof shingles >> Mhm. >> we wouldn't have a call on that, would
we? and the strict definition of we can't tell somebody what the materials are that they can use for a roof. >> Yeah. So, so the um I mean the >> I think along those lines too, I thought that there have been times when people
want to put solar panels on and we've said, "Hey, can you put on a darker roof because it'll match?" >> Right. >> Yeah. Well, I think that's okay because because that um that's a matter of the overall impact of of of what they're
proposing to do. So, if you're putting a um you know, if you're putting black solar panels on a white roof, very high impacts, >> okay, >> which we >> But if they were just saying, "Hey, I want a re- roof." They could put a white roof on if they wanted. They could put a white roof on
>> or they use any material >> or a metal roof, >> any color >> or a red metal roof, >> green >> or a green metal roof or yellow. >> So, we're not allowed to tell them not to. >> Well, Garrett, you mentioned something that the state
>> So, they're different. You're right. So, so the so the state, if I have this straight, this the state allows you to um exclude the color used on roofs but not the nature and of materials used on the roofs and and this is something that
you know probably we have to um you know seek an opinion about. >> Yeah. >> But okay, so when when this doc document was voted through the town meeting, this is the the bylaw now, >> right? really it didn't conform to what
the state had offered as exemptions. >> That's that's my that's my opinion from having >> Yeah. >> So this is right in the bylaw which is the ultimate rules that we have to follow. >> As it relates to the solar panels, solar
roofs and so forth. I think that really is something we should investigate as the broader community of towns and historic settings >> have done, >> right? >> Because it is very complex as we've already seen.
>> Yeah. And and I did do some investigation and and um you know, I think other other towns are doing what what we've been trying to do, which is keep them off the main buildings. ideally have them on out buildings or or you know parts of the roof that aren't visible
>> or may already be codified but that' be a good >> Yeah. Yeah. And to and the other thing is that I mean there's explicit language from the state about solar panels in historic districts. It doesn't say that you have to allow them but it says that historical
commissions should support the state's goal of having you know more renewable energy. So, um >> that's very vague though. >> It's quite it's quite vague. >> It's quite vague, but it's but it's a hint. >> A hint
>> because I remember one of the um applicants brought that up to us when he wanted to put his solar panels on the main part of the roof. And we >> dissuaded him from that and he said, "Well, the state, >> right, >> suggest that you support this, >> right?" So, and and we couldn't do that
for him because it wasn't really consistent with everything else we had approved, >> right? Yeah. No, I mean the state >> we were approving other parts of his project, right? >> I think the states >> 90% of his energy that he was seeking. So, >> I think the state's just trying to
create an opening so historic commissions don't say no no panels. Yeah. >> Right. They're saying please support renewable energy. you know, >> better business judgement. >> You you must, >> right? >> You must allow.
>> Yeah. So, I think they're kind of giving >> us a chance to market. I mean, looking at other >> I mean, I think I think in all of, you know, all the all the things we're talking about here, you know, looking at what other towns, especially towns with a professional staff, um, you know, what
they're doing. Has there been case law around this with people suing commissions for get getting their solar panels installed? Has there been any Can you ask somebody about that? Is there a way to >> Yeah. Well, there's a there's a there's this mailing list that people ask things like that.
>> Interesting about that >> like what were you going to say? Well, if we're that as we are a small town, there's a lot of learning that we can do that, you know, lower uh
research time or costs and so forth and more expedient. And then also just the fact that then we can back our uh our proposed regulations with examples and site things so we don't get a kind of an
antagonist or antagonistic relationship going. >> Yeah, >> it's such an important issue and we need to respond positively to the energy component but within the context of these are special uh districts that will
never be repeated. >> Right. >> Find a good balance. >> Okay. Um, another thing that um I'd like to review is is um what sort of what
documentation do we require for a certificate of for an application for certificate of appropriateness? And I think we've we've gotten into issues where um we get applications that really are missing a lot of detail and um and
and and there are provisions in our rules that allow us to um to not accept those or basically not time stamp them. So, so somebody you know gives us a a um an application and once it's timestamped
then we have 45 days to consider it. Um but our rules according to our rules if the if the application is incomplete. We don't have to stamp it until we have all the documents. >> Well, that's a little bit of an issue
because we don't actually stamp it. The clerk stamps it. We don't even get to see it and it's already stamped. So that's just >> maybe we don't honor the stamp if it's incomplete. >> That's more refinement of that. If they have an incomplete application, is there
a way we can create a rule that says upon review after so many days, we can inform them whether or not >> it's been accepted >> for that time stamp, right? >> I mean, just something to sort of >> get that time stamp set aside once we've
seen that that it's incomplete. >> And perhaps that's what you're getting at. If we I what you said was if what is the documentation needed for a certificate of applicability and if we can be very you know prescriptive
you need um cut sheets you need a design you need a before and after con you know picture you need pictures of you know what's there today you need like whatever it is and if we can kind come
up with that list >> right on the application they don't follow >> well but if just because it's on the application is it part of the rule >> so we we have um >> or is it as simple as saying your application is incomplete
>> because the application if you get on the website the application has two sides it has front and back the back has a lot of detail on what they're supposed to provide >> and then there's another checklist that can be downloaded >> that's an exhaustive checklist list and
they can choose to follow that or not and and decide this is applicable to my project and this isn't. So there's a lot of guideline already. >> Well, maybe maybe we should make that that other checklist part of the application third page.
>> Yeah, >> because we do we do have this this um checklist, you know, right here. >> Right. Right in the front. >> Yeah. And the back too both. There's more information about it in the back. >> Yeah. This I mean I think a lot of people
don't even fill out the back. >> No. Well, it's not that it fills out. It's just a lot of verbiage on the back of the application that has very small print and we have to really >> study it to read it, but it has a lot of detail. I've I've actually cut and
pasted that verbiage to applicants to explain to them this is what you need, right? And you know, sometimes they comply and sometimes they don't, but it's uh definitely something we should tighten up. >> Tighten up. Yeah. Um I mean, another thing is is lighting plans, you know. Um
>> that should be an explicit thing, a checklist. What's what's your lighting? >> Yeah. >> And also, could it be accompanied by what the norms are for lighting on the point? There's actually some verbage. There there is good verbiage in
in in our guidelines about lighting. >> Yeah. With lightning there's also um and I was surprised when we reviewed the the first case that I saw um that shielding so that it doesn't affect neighbors.
Light of course goes as far as it may without some obstruction. And um I would think that we should have some it's such an easy thing to do so that lighting is installed it is shielded from others who aren't actually
taking use of it and and having their night sky and their general kind of setting eroded because we we haven't done a very simple thing. >> Yeah, we we and and we do have that in our rules. Um
actually it's in our guidelines. Um, for example, we have across the river from us, we have a parking lot uh that has a very bright I don't even know what the name of the product is.
>> A cle light. >> Yeah. No, could have been. and the whole side of our our east side of the river was up in arms and they did something the opposing side but really not enough. It it was just they weren't they could
have just shielded it. >> It was on the water so it would be essentially for late night voters I suppose. Mhm. >> Well, there's one there's a very bright orangey bright light at the Westport Yacht Club, but we don't have any
jurisdiction over them. How do we get them to >> change that? We're just talking about our own. >> Maybe just ask women about >> that is offensive. I mean, have these unbelievable. >> Yeah. And particularly
>> I find so many people in a broad view. >> Trips. >> Yeah. has a huge light in their parking area. Yeah. >> Um so we do have we do have language here about exterior lighting. Um all flood lights, walkway lighting and up lighting fixtures visible from a public
way are subject to review by the WHC. Adherence to the following guidelines however for however for flood lights, walkway lighting and uplighting precludes the need for individual approval by the WHC. Well, I think that you know that paragraph right there is is problematic,
>> contradictory. >> Um, but anyway, timing of exterior flood lights should be limited through motion detectors or timers. Light should be placed low without lights spill over on adjoining properties. Low to the ground baffled fixtures are allowed for walkway lighting.
Up lighting fixtures such as for for facade signs, fountains, and landscaping are not appropriate. Um so you know maybe maybe one of the one of the things um that could be done here is to is to go through this you
know list of things in our guidelines and you know make a checklist because I think a lot of people are not even aware of some of these issues with lighting for example >> right >> so
um so what I'd like to propose is um is a subcommittee they would um take a look at um some of these issues, you know, and like the whole package. I mean, maybe starting with the with the bylaws and and and
with the rules and the guidelines and you know, look at try to figure out, you know, what's missing solar panels. I mean, there is actually something in our guidelines about solar panels, but it's just a paragraph, right? Just a sentence. Um but anyway to you know to really read everything think about how
it affects you know our del deliberations think about past projects you know and how those rules have interacted with those past projects. >> Yep. >> And then maybe come back at the next meeting or the meeting after that and um
you know have a discussion about or have maybe have some specific proposals for the rest of the commission. And so because of open meeting laws, um the subcommittee can be at most three people. Uh we could pull in people who
are not on the commission. You know, like Jeff Jeff, for example, might be someone we could ask to to participate with this. Um but we can't have more than three members of this commission deliberating without uh you know, without having a
public meeting. Would there be um would it be consistent with all the other regulations for us to have a component of our meetings for the period that we may want to review and and give continuity to all of our it sounds as
though you're bringing up some very important things. um if they have not on some period been reviewed that things change, updates are required. Um new uh lighting
types that are more offensive have been introduced very efficient but >> rather bright and all that. >> Uh whether it's some regular five-year or whatever >> review for updating and consistency with
current effects that are really very slowly taking their toll. >> Yeah, I think that that could be part of our rules. >> That could be a new rule that every every five years we must uh >> as opposed to 14.
>> Well, and and then just build that list of things over the period from our experience. >> Yeah. So it was consistent with what actually is happening as well as some foresight and that kind of thing. Right. >> So yeah, you're reasoning. But so this
approved, updated and updated. This was part of meetings that happened at the commission. They were approved January 20 2008 and then updated 2011 and then updated again December 12th. That's it. >> There was a subcommittee. >> There's a subcommittee
>> in 2012. There was a subcommittee of three people >> that updated this >> that updated this, right? The rules. >> Okay. >> Um I mean that's a lot to take on. Mhm. >> So it might be good to break that up into pieces and we could
>> like Mark said maybe a piece of our meeting on a regular basis we take up a topic and we talk about here which is open meaning >> right >> particularly lighting which is such a big one that would be a topic unto itself if we you know assign some
research and then bring some ideas back >> right >> of things we could do for improvements in the in the rules. The the other other thing we could do is we could have public meetings. >> So we we could have a um >> input >> like a working session kind of. >> Yeah. A working session and and so then
we could have you know more than three people. >> Yep. >> So it would be announced as as as as a meeting. The public could could attend if they want. They they wouldn't necessarily have to be invited to give input. I mean they just have to be able to to listen. But just putting it on our
agenda makes it public meeting, right? >> It it does, but but it it also, you know, it competes with uh >> if we already have a full agenda. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So, uh it you know might be um might be that it would just have some special meetings.
>> Yep. >> Yeah. That would lessen the burden on whatever this committee ends up being because that's that's a lot to do. >> Yeah. I know for for me um so you know I'm happy to participate in any way um I think that
um just the way my mind works right part of what I would want to do is say okay here's a copy of the bylaws here's a copy of the rules and regulations here's a copy of the guidelines and I would probably outline here's what the bylaws are like at a very high level and then
to your point you were saying some of it overlaps right so I' I'd want to try to figure out where does it overlap and why and is there a way for us if we're going to revisit this >> to try to reduce that so we minimize any
place where we contradict right and so that the bylaws are truly this is you know no details about what you do um but here are the topics that you cover full stop then the the rules and
regulations are more about okay this is what maybe how we run or you know we have to time stamp or we have to publish minutes and approve them within 3 months or what whatever that is. And then the guidelines are the pieces that are more
fluid because materials change more often and >> um yeah, you know, a little bit. But you know, that's just how my mind wants to categorize >> basically intangible, >> you know,
>> it's it's not just the impact of what it does at night. Um, >> yeah. >> I mean, I really hadn't, it particularly struck me with 2015 and when we said lighting, my god, what they've done already. But now we're going to put
flood lights on, you know, it's >> Yeah. I mean, lighting lighting's important. >> Really important. >> Yet, it's more difficult to measure. >> Other than bulbs >> and it's and it's often, you know, I think it's often emitted from plans. Um
I I mean >> yeah plans are submitted but uh plans are submitted but there's nothing on lighting >> and we've never required it either. >> No, we have not seen electrical plans, right? I mean that's really where it would end up be a separate plan for all.
>> Yeah. Not not exactly electrical, but I mean if you're going to put a a flood light on the side of your house, I mean it should be >> they're not >> shown to us and and approved by us, >> right? And it's so >> well you could on that application you could put any exterior lighting
>> right. Yep. And I I think this check off good ideas, you know, uh someone has to look over look at that check off list and also the plan and uh we we want to prevent plans that
are incomplete and also plans that are not readable >> because some people come in here with a little sheet of paper. >> Yeah. A napkin, >> right? And we need a/4 in scale drawing like this. >> And that's that's specified.
>> Yeah, we did specify that. Uh but also it has to the lines have to be bold enough. If you notice the printing lately has been very very dim uh even on the plans we had up here, which were very good, but um bold and so
people can see it. And we have butters that are watching from back here and they can't see what's going on here. So, they have to be graphically um presentable, right? >> Well, the plans are posted at the bulletin board. When they submit plans,
we post them on the bulletin board so the public has the ability to read the actual plan. >> And I don't know who in fact does that. >> Mighty hard to post those kind of plans. A thumbtack doesn't quite do it.
>> No, I just I just put the whole plan and somebody wants to take it, they can take it down and open it. >> It's also an eight and a half by 11. >> Even the plans that Kit was showing um were basically uh created and edited on
a screen. >> Mhm. And there it's no surprise there is a whole way of display technology that that will take a screen this big and well we have one way. This this is a
projector that then um projects onto a large enough place that the public is completely aware and should be and and and it should be and we should be. some of the things that were previously
presented to us were were just not >> well maybe that's part of our modernization piece we can note >> definitely communications >> you know if you have a laptop and you want to project your you know you can come in and do that and
>> just blowing things up on you know zooming in on a laptop. >> Yep. Well, it also allows us to um have if it's to our benefit timelines and so forth to have things on our website that these are I mean there is there are no
sketches left there are no hand drawings it's just too inefficient >> but because it goes into that form in creation just thinking through how you want to do it when it's going to be a reference mark u for a project that is
could be of wider interest to the public. I mean, it's all there for us and other other people acknowledge that and are doing that. >> And I I think we could I think you're >> the problem with that is that we have a lot of um drawings that come to us that
are are done by hand by a designer, not maybe not an architect, but a designer. Uh and um it it's something we have have had very often in the past or drawings that are
made by a uh a builder, you know, a contractor. And these are really handdrawn drawings of maybe details of something that uh of the buildings decks and so on. uh that
we should well it's a fact that they wouldn't have the facility for this electronic >> well design happily in the industry it's been acknowledged we have scanning >> and the scan of any drawing is as good
as one drawing I mean it's going to be less >> yes so the scanning could could just be a part of >> right and even even take using your to take a take a picture of a posting. It's a little less
>> or at least as an option, right? And we can kind of ease ourselves into leveraging that a little differently, >> right? Well, the advantage to all of this is we we can create something that if we put a lot together that is consistent and maybe even would take
input from probably a neutral, you know, when we have a group that or person that wants to do a particular thing, he's going to hide it until the beginning. um when there is something that has implications for not just his project but other projects
um the ability now to communicate I mean this is what planning and zoning or planning commissions deal with all the time in larger communities >> and it's very effective because it brings it it >> okay so we have this this uh projector
up there and and what does that do project on that It distorts on the board here, >> right? >> It distort it takes a flat picture. It distorts it such that it can be projected >> in a distorted fashion. Uh and but the
one that's corrected as it goes down that close. I mean, you can imagine if you're going here, you can have a >> Well, we've had we've had people use that before. >> Yeah. Um I think um what's his name? the architect from >> Jim uh
>> oh um Jim >> Carol uh Collins >> Collins did Collins used it to show PowerPoint presentation >> that was with this device >> I believe so any other device >> many uses it all the time
>> okay so and so you you just you bring down that nest of wires and hook it to your laptop >> yes there's a wire um a box right at the bottom >> Oh There there are multiple jacks that you can insert into that.
>> Okay. So, we should get back to it. >> So, maybe we should it would be nice if we could require that someone would present it that way. >> It'd be very easy, he says, but >> I think in some cases it would be overkill. >> Oh, okay. I mean, I think like even with
what >> what Kip presented to us, >> you know, I think what he did was probably >> but it might have been just as easy for him to do it with that. It might have been >> I just don't know. >> Well, it I mean again I think it's an
opportunity for us to like first of all I don't know who would help, right? But somebody has to either be here to teach or we have to say this is available, show up 10 minutes early and make sure it's working. I mean, I'm very quickly just looking and I don't have an HDMI
port in this computer. So, I'd have to figure out >> I need a different adapter or something, right? Or >> but it's possible, right? It's just that we would need some different kind of assistance, but to say, hey, this is available if you want to make your
presentation >> um you know, via projector kind of thing. But again, I think Garrett, you like you started off by saying, "What can we do to modernize, right?" And I think that's a just it's a good example, right? It doesn't have to be a hard and fast rule. It's just, hey, we have this
ability, this facility, >> you know, you're welcome to bring hard copies, of course, but um >> Yeah. Is there ever val is there ever any sort of training for for these devices or how how would that >> um
>> well I I mean I help you know hook it up and so you learn how to do it you know I'm usually here >> and so it it just basically displays whatever's on your computer screen. Yes. And it it does all the >> distorting itself. >> I know the planning board like he zooms
in on certain parts. We can watch, you know. >> Oh, okay. Well, might be good to watch a planning board meeting. >> Just ask Maria. She's there all the time. >> No, that's zoning board. >> Oh, zoning planning.
>> And how about this this screen over here? Does that >> That's for like um uh remote like if you have someone come in by computer. >> Okay. >> Google Meet that they can come in with that. >> I see. And you can see them and they can see there's a camera there and they can
see you and then you can see them. >> I see. >> And that's used um pretty frequently too. I think this is a wonderful discussion because we're looking at several different angles, many angles that would
allow us for a short period of time. these kids to um try to bring consistency to technology and communication skills that are welldeveloped but not necessarily in smaller groups like this and could
>> um make um the case for doing exactly what the commission wants to do which is retain the character and quality of our our social cultural environment. Mhm. I >> mean, it's it's just a pulling back a
few feet and seeing how some of this can really uh assist us and make us more efficient. Takes some time to transfer what we're doing into that form. But it's it >> will be just taking 45 minutes before or
after a meeting as we're already doing for a number of uh meetings, half year, whatever it is, and having a program so we don't get lost in one or two items, but have a goal to achieve whatever the objectives are that we we
in council to with other organizations think are worthwhile. We all want the wonderful settings that we talk about as historical to be preserved.
Um, we have to actually back that up some actions and consistent rules. Um, another thing that that that just came to mind was um was labeling of of documents which I think we often you
know we're shuffling documents and which one is that and you know so I think you know maybe as part of this we could we could actually specify the kind of labeling that we want in documents and every document must be labeled >> indeed. Yes. and uh you know just so
just things like this that can >> and and I think also you know if you have a clear set of rules it raises the level of of of what's presented to you because you can say here's the rule you know where's your label >> right
>> so >> yeah and I and I also you know I think you get different people with different backgrounds presenting right and so there are some people who have presented before and so they might come in and be a little bit
more comfortable and and then there are other folks that are coming in with that, you know, or they send their builder in and you know, the builder has the pencil drawing kind of thing. So, >> um yeah, I think the more guideline we can give folks, the >> more successful they'll be in being
clear. But if the builder comes in with a pencil drawing, we want to find out how easy it is it for him to put it up there. >> Yep. >> And with that pencil drawing would look great up there, but it won't look great to us here.
>> Right. But it might be as simple as right. So for me, Bill, right, I'm bring my computer and if somebody has their pencil drawing, I can take a picture of it with my phone and I could project it. Right. >> Exactly. once I was taught and as long as I had the right adapter, right, that adapter doesn't fit into my computer.
So, I'd have to get a different adapter, >> but I could definitely help with that. >> Yeah. And and I I mean, we we do have something in here about I mean, I think they're supposed to um submit large scale drawings and and maybe we say either a large scale drawing
>> or >> or you can project on our board. >> Yeah. >> Which means they need a scan. They could send us a scan and then the scan can >> scan or or even Katrina said just take a picture of it with your phone and you can do the same thing. >> Yeah.
>> I mean, but if they send the scan, I mean, I often send everybody electronic versions of whatever it is they sent. >> Yeah. >> That could be projected. >> Absolutely. >> Yep. >> Great. >> All right. Actually, because you do I
tend to bring down my computer because it's easier to >> and you can zoom in >> rather than print it all out. >> Yeah, you can zoom in. It saves paper and ink, too. >> Y >> save my color ink. >> Okay. So, so, uh, I mean it sounds like people are everyone's really interested
in doing this project and so I'm I mean we we could do the the subcommittee thing where we have private meetings only three people that subcommittee would come back maybe periodically to the full committee commission or we
could decide to um to just have some working meetings. >> Yeah, >> it would be public meetings and There are a range of planning activities, strategic planning versus master planning versus what we've very often
engaged in just problem solving. >> But we could benefit very much from the kind of session we're having, thinking large >> and then condensing it as it it can be most usefully produced. So we actually take
it in the the you know mouthfuls that we're juggling with anyway >> but but uh or organization will make it centered. It will be very difficult. I I've seen all sorts of communities do this to take on a load that is the right
load but it's it's illproportioned. >> I agree with you completely. I think this is too big of a charge to just say, "Let's get three volunteers and let's figure it all out." >> I think it's going to be much more effective if you break it up into chunks
and say, "We're going to have a specific meeting on such and such a date. We're going to take up these three topics and then we do another meeting like that another time." So, we break it into pieces. Solar >> and roofs would be one, right? you know,
taking what Katrina suggested, take the bylaw, compare it to the rules, compare it to the guidelines on just that one topic on solar and roofs. >> We look at what that looks like. We decide if we need to make some changes and then we can go on to the next thing, whether it's lighting,
>> but I think you have to sort of keep it into bite-sized pieces or it's just going to be this amorphous thing that focuses on, >> right? We want to have something >> concrete >> come out at the end. >> Yeah. I mean the the other option so I I think that so we talked about a lot
right I think that facilitating the presentation of the material I think that is a it's just it's a separate topic I don't necessarily I mean in my head >> I don't know if that >> is any of this or if that's just about
how we want to facilitate it's just operational it's just right and so we can figure that out but the other piece is more about >> what are the things that help us make our choices, right? And so I agree with you guys 100% that we should if we
decide to do it have a have a a topic that's on the agenda and that's what we do. I think though that in order to create that agenda, we might need a subcommittee >> to look at
the bylaws, the regulations, the guidelines, and say, "Okay, here's what we have. Here are the eight things we need to tackle. Let's tackle number one next month." Right? Because I I think
Deb, if we tried if we handed out the bylaws to everybody and the guidelines to everybody and the um rules and regulations, we can't sit here in one night and I mean this is 18 pages. >> Oh, I never suggested that. I take it by
topic topic. >> But I think we should >> and solar for an example, >> but we should have a subcommittee to come up with the topics, I guess, is what I'm thinking. >> Like Garrett's topics that he already gave us to start with. >> It's it's a starting point. It's a starting point, but then you have to get to the bigger picture.
>> I I agree with Katrina that that I mean it does it it does require a couple people sitting down and >> reading through all the rules and regulations, >> set an agenda and and then we can, you know, have a discussion either at a regular meeting
>> or we could have a uh you know, we could have a a Saturday, you know, working meeting or something where we would actually, you know, wrestle with these things. There is one interesting uh organization that that we see going far back into
military history which is strategy, tactics and operations. And if you operate if you really goal set which we are currently not doing uh in our international political life but set the
strategy. What is it that we're trying to accomplish that that then it is adhering to the normative side the values that we hold translating them into how we approach it the tactics to take each one and the preparations to
actually put it into into practice but it it'll I mean it's just a natural way to think about that but that's if you look at the history of planning that is what it is it's stringent tactics operations it's often brought to four
because of the military use of that. >> But that's that's not the only one. It's corporate. It's >> in our legal system. >> So, >> and that's I think a place where we if we really sat down with a small group and tensely focused where we would have
the greatest benefit of not doubling back in the middle of the process because we missed something. >> Two cents. >> Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I think we also have to acknowledge our limitations. I mean, we, you know, it's we're all volunteers and we don't have a professional, >> right,
>> support staff. So, >> which is why this is 14 years. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> I get it. >> We're overdue, I guess. >> Well, we do have a planning commission, >> but I don't think it's their job to do this, right? We're not we're not
>> well let me just tell you they asked to join the commission and there are reasons that I can't technically but there are two people there one in particular the head planner that is well
informed and trained I think and we do have the resource here >> if we were to >> do it on a Saturday basis and bonus whatever It is there is in most
communities that survive their own great ideas. There is some that >> Yeah. We also I mean before you joined the commission we we did have some training sessions. >> Um by a guy named Chris Kelly who used to work for the Massachusetts Historical
Commission and um and and now does consulting and and I think those were great. I mean they um even simple things like how how to run a meeting and and uh >> that was useful that was very useful although it also pointed out that we
lack so much because we are all volunteers we don't have the support of the town we don't have a planner >> who works with us to help prepare people for >> their their sessions with us I mean there's other towns that have so many more resources >> on this kind of work going to change
that >> and that's not going change. So, we have to kind of make do with >> talent on our table. >> But that that's another thing we could consider doing is is bringing in a consultant like like Chris Kelly who
does do these sorts of things. I mean, he'll look at your bylaws and and rules and and give you feedback about that. So, >> and he could speak to us here on this. >> Yeah, I think we did that, didn't we? >> We did a Zoom with him.
It could be in a setting like this. >> Yeah, we just did it remotely. Everybody was on their own Zooms. >> Right. Right. >> There's one other issue I think we're going to have to confront, which is, for example, lighting, >> but we're our
assignment is the historic districts. Some of these things are much more they're broader than our district uh arrangement and development. Um, and what what people will say is, "Well, that's beyond your your
authorization." But we we really do need to, I think, think about how we confront that because it's the nature of this town. You know, you come in this city of we are a farming community. Uh, all of those are wonderful, but
they're they're goals. uh there there isn't any implementation in the strategic plan. How how do we get those essential values that may not in be in the historic district but do pertain to a community that has dirt
roads in places and this you know fences as the planning commission was dealing with the stone walls. >> Did you follow? >> Yeah, there's a rural road um is a bill or what is it? >> Scenic scenic >> scenic byways. Yeah, they're actually implementing a scenic byways.
>> I don't think so. That was that failed. >> Did it fail? >> Yeah. >> Well, >> well, it hasn't had town meeting yet, though. >> I think it was well organized though. The for the first part of the meeting, there was a large number of people that were here and once they got their single
issue essentially crushed uh they disappeared. >> So, somebody had organized that. >> Right. Right. Yeah, but there is I mean there is an element to that. So I mean I lighting for example, it would be nice if the
town had a lighting policy. >> No, >> sure would. >> But um >> yeah, >> I mean even even along the river, right? I mean lighting lighting along >> even on Main Road. >> Even on Main Road. Yeah. >> I can't imagine it's going to be on anybody's priority list this week. >> Yeah.
>> But you know for us, right, we can we can affect it. So >> yes, >> you know, maybe we Model the behavior. >> Model the behavior. >> Our suggestion though. >> Okay. So, how do you want to >> proceed from here?
>> So, so I I I think I I would like to have a subcommittee that would at least set the agenda. >> Um, you know, read all the read all the documents. uh you know look at the application form, the the rules, the
guidelines, the bylaws, and identify, you know, a handful of things that we could we could try to address. And I I know Mark, this this doesn't get to your strategic plan necessarily. >> It'll work. It'll work. Bigger ideas.
>> This is not just the farming community, though. >> Yeah. Talking to Deborah on that, she's already done most of this through most of her professional life. So, >> yeah. >> But but anyway, to to to have a a subcommittee uh that would that would,
you know, set an agenda and then I actually think it'd be great to have a have a working meeting separate from our regular commission meetings. Um maybe on a Saturday it's raining. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. On a rainy Saturday or snowy, please >> from your mouth to God's ears. Saturday mornings. >> Yeah. >> Um but it would it would be public and and so any of us who were interested in this topic could could come and and and
maybe hear comments from the public. >> Yep. >> And I think you you know maybe what we do is that's a place to start and then we see how productive it is, >> right? Because if we time box it, let's just say it's 2 hours, >> let's see what we can get done. Mhm.
>> Um, and if we find that, oh my gosh, we talked about lighting for 2 hours and we didn't decide anything, there's no way we can do this on Wednesday night after the commission, right? Like >> I think it will help us kind of figure out
>> what works, what doesn't work to be able to move it along, right? Because if we if we pick a topic and we say, "Okay, we have an hour and a half and we're going to familiarize ourselves, make choices, and move on, right? It's going to be better than what we have, >> right? >> Doesn't have to be perfect, just better
than what we have. And we can always go back and enhance it, but >> I think that's a good suggestion. >> Okay. So, the subcommittee is going to go through this and flag things that need to be discussed and looked at.
>> Okay. Then we have an agenda for that Saturday meeting. >> Yep. And maybe that agenda is solar panels or maybe it's lighting or maybe it's um the
electronic submission of documents. >> Yeah, most likely for sure multiple we have a lot of things. >> Great to have some you know uh you know some some outcomes from from each meeting. >> Yeah. You know like like we solve lighting we solve lighting in solar.
>> Yep. Yep. >> Yeah. I agree with that approach completely. >> Yeah. So volunteers for the first subcommittee. >> I have to say I think I'm surrounded by the two parentheses that should be invaded. >> I am like up to here with work. I cannot
possibly take that on especially with CPC and other stuff I'm doing. So I cannot volunteer for the subcommittee. >> Sorry. >> I I'll volunteer. I mean I' I've already started thinking about it. So, >> I'm I'm I'm happy to participate, but I want a copy of your binder. Don't make
me go find all this stuff. >> Like, I have >> this now. I have the guidelines. >> You want all >> I don't know if I have the bylaws. I'd have to go find them. >> There's actually um >> it's all it's actually all in in the Google Drive. >> Okay.
>> Um there's a folder called uh rules and regulations and it's all in there >> and everything's in there even if it's a bylaw. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. He's got a copy of everything. >> If it's in digital form, it will endure. >> Yeah. >> It will be the basis for some growth
instead of discursion. >> Right. Sounds good. >> Yeah. I mean, I am not an attorney, nor do I play one on TV, nor did I sleep at a holiday in Express last night. So, I'm reading some of this, and you are not going to get attorney words from me, but
I will read it to make sense. all sections that say things like, you know, in such and such a matter, you will follow, you know, GLC 40C section 11. >> Yeah, >> I'm not sure why those are even here because they're already in in GLC
section 40, whatever. So, I mean, that could be one thing as we say, we don't need to put that there because >> plain English already. >> Be nice to have plain English changes. >> It is well written by an attorney, right? >> I believe so.
>> Yeah. Well, I'm sure there will be originally I think yeah an attorney I don't know exactly but that's the way the form has always been in this very legal term >> yeah and and you know just the volume of
of words is is kind of um daunting you know so so I I believe this is repeated for state law doesn't need to be in our rules >> um And so little I mean it's kind of a
little thing but but but there might be some opportunity to just simplify >> and I and I think if we do that right then as a commission we can also just at some point maybe we said okay let's walk through it and everybody can get on the
same page and >> um >> and when someone joins there can be like a little packet to say hey welcome here here's your binder >> right yeah and Rod actually um you know did that a little bit. I don't know if you remember, but but he uh >> I wasn't here when he
>> had a couple of training sessions with at the end of meetings. Yeah, he went through some >> Yeah, he he met his binder and read through some rules. So, okay. So, um I don't think we need to vote on anything. Do we need to vote
to um so the three of us, Mark, Katrina, and I will um >> collaborate, >> collaborate, >> come up with an agenda or at least the first agenda item, >> right? And uh and then shall we shall we
try to schedule a Saturday meeting? Does does that work or what what works for you? >> Sure, I can. So between the three of us or for all of us to do the first agenda. >> Um for all of us? Yeah. Public public meeting for for the entire commission. >> Right.
>> Um we can do that. I will I will say I can't meet until May. >> Can't meet until May. >> Yep. I'm >> I'm going to have a tough time. >> April is >> horrific. >> I think so. here. Why don't you and I get together and just put something on
the paper that everybody can respond to. >> Well, no. I mean the the first agenda item. >> I can't meet on a Saturday. My weekends in April with Easter and >> the first public meeting. >> Yes. The first public meeting I can't do in the month of April.
>> Okay. >> But I could do it in May. >> You don't necessarily have to be here. >> Well, that's true. >> You meant putting Okay. designing the process and seeing what the >> It doesn't have to. We've had special meetings um when a topic comes up that
can't wait emergency issues. We've had uh special meetings during the day, usually in the morning. >> Got it. >> On any day. >> But I think you're I mean you're still working full time. >> Oh, yeah. I work full-time. So, so, um,
>> with some notice I could take, you know, some time off depending on what it was, >> but Saturday seems to be a better time to do this sort of work because otherwise, you know, we have a >> Right. Right. And and I think also we don't necessarily have to take a vote on
at any of those Saturday meetings. I mean, we can come up with language. >> In fact, if it's the rules, we have to it has to be uh done in a public hearing. So, so those working meetings would not be public hearings >> and they're limited to three people. >> No, we can have the whole commission. We
just can't we couldn't take a vote. >> Can't take a vote >> on anything. So, so we can come up it's a working meeting come up with proposals, but then we would have to have a >> take it to the next meeting >> to say, "Hey, we want to make these changes." >> That could be a regular meeting. >> Yep. >> Yeah. Everybody could get
>> Yeah. get a copy of the of the proposed changes in advance, read them, little bit of discussion, hear from the public, and we'll vote on them at a regular meeting. >> Great. >> Okay. >> Okay. You guys thought it was going to be a
short meeting. >> It's a short meeting. It's only quarter to 8. It's pretty good. >> I move to adjourn. >> Okay. Is there a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> I oppose the meeting is ajourned.