Somersworth HDC approves trim replacement but denies vinyl siding at Queensbury Mill

Somersworth — The Somersworth Historic District Commission on Jan. 22 approved a certificate of appropriateness allowing the Somersworth Housing Authority to replace rotted window sills, trim and fascia at the Queensbury Mill Apartments, 1 Market Street, using PVC trim such as AZEK or a similar product, but the commission declined to allow wholesale replacement of the building’s wood clapboard siding with vinyl.

The commission’s action requires that the existing 4½‑inch clapboard siding remain and be repaired or replaced in kind where necessary; all trim and non‑siding elements may be replaced with a PVC product matched to the existing profiles. The approval was granted with the condition that the applicant follow the materials and profiles presented to the commission.

Commission staff member Miss Mears summarized the application: “The applicant is proposing to replace the cedar clad board siding and wooden trim with vinyl siding and clAD board pattern with smooth surface finish,” and said the applicant brought material samples to the meeting. Deborah Evans, executive director of the Somersworth Housing Authority, introduced incoming executive director Michelle Massey and the project team from Right Track Design.

Right Track Design’s presentation noted widespread rot in window sills, trim and some clapboards and described a proposed installation that would strip deteriorated siding down to the sheathing, install an air barrier, and apply the replacement material. Architect Jerry Wieboldt told the commission they were proposing CertainTeed Restoration Classic siding with a 4½‑inch exposure and AZEK or Wolf PVC trim sized to match existing profiles.

Several commissioners said the building’s prominence at the city gateway and its high integrity in the historic survey warranted preserving the original clapboard wherever possible. Commissioner Mativia summarized the board’s concern: replacing the clapboards with vinyl in other nearby properties had reduced their integrity ratings; he said the Queensbury Mill “is a prominent part of the downtown” and urged caution about changes that would diminish its historic character.

Commissioner Berry and others pressed the applicant for specifics about the extent of rot and installation details. Evans told the commission the building had been cited in 2022 by HUD and by New Hampshire Housing for rot at sills, which prompted the Authority to seek a longer‑term solution than repeated repainting. Evans said painting bids had been expensive; she cited painting costs “at a hundred thousand dollars” as part of the Authority’s rationale for pursuing a more permanent material.

At the end of the hearing the commission offered the applicant two options: have the commission vote on revised conditions that allowed trim replacement only, or table the application so the Authority could return with an amended plan. The applicant said the board of the housing authority must review the change and asked the commission to proceed with a conditional approval. The commission voted to approve the application with conditions that the clapboard siding remain (repaired in kind) and that all trim, fascia and corner boards may be replaced with AZEK or a similar PVC product sized to match existing trim. A friendly amendment clarified that equivalent PVC products were acceptable.

The formal approval is limited by the commission’s standard time frame for certificates of appropriateness (one year). The applicant indicated it would take the decision to its board of directors and return if it chose to alter the approved scope.

The decision reflects the commission’s effort to balance preservation goals — maintaining the building’s historic integrity — with the Housing Authority’s maintenance and budget concerns.

The meeting record shows the matter began under new business with the Somersworth Housing Authority application and concluded with the commission’s conditional approval of trim replacement only.