Historic district approves window replacements at 31 C & 31 D Market Street with preservation conditions

The Somersworth Historic District Commission on April 23 approved a certificate of appropriateness for Simplified Management to replace 26 first-floor wood windows at 31 C and 31 D Market Street (HDC case 82025) following a city lead-paint finding.

Applicant Alex Hansen told the commission the work was prompted by a violation: “We received a violation from the city for one of the units. They found traces of lead in the windows,” Hansen said. He said adjacent units also showed traces of lead, prompting a proposal to replace all first-floor windows, encapsulate and repaint exterior trim, and remediate lead paint where needed.

The commission approved the replacement with conditions: all replacement windows on the First Floor must include a 6-over-6 divided-lite appearance, existing exterior trim is to be retained and repaired rather than dimensionally altered, and simulated divided lights (Grills Between the Glass, GBG) are acceptable. Commissioners clarified the replacement applies only to the First Floor; the upstairs units have already had windows replaced. The approved tally was 7–0.

The staff memo submitted in the packet states the proposal is to replace 26 First-Floor windows with 1-over-1 vinyl windows, to scrape and repaint existing wood trim, and to encapsulate lead paint. Commissioners discussed historic patterns (original windows were reported as 6-over-6) and accepted GBG or similar simulated divided-light solutions. The commission noted that interior trim work is outside its purview and that the exterior appearance is the primary concern.

The certificate includes a condition that exterior trim be preserved in place and repainted or patched where necessary; the record does not require full replacement of existing wood trim except where repair is needed for safety or rot.