Historic District Commission approves roof, chimney, fence and HVAC COAs; chair recuses on fence vote

At its Aug. 20 meeting, the Norwich Historic District Commission approved four separate Certificates of Appropriateness (COAs) after the public hearing: a like‑for‑like roof replacement on Union Street (COA 58710); a chimney repair and cap on Washington Street (COA 588415); a wooden picket fence behind a parking pad on East Towne Street (COA 58967); and a like‑for‑like HVAC replacement on Washington Street (COA 59380). Chair Regan Minor recused herself from the fence vote.

Union Street (COA 58710) — Contractor Adam Bricket of Coles Larson Roofing told the commission the work is a full strip-and-replace using an architectural granite‑black asphalt shingle and white aluminum gutters; a proposed skylight location is not visible from the street. Commissioners approved the application as submitted; the roll call vote was unanimous.

Washington Street chimney (COA 588415) — Mason Richard described grinding out deteriorated mortar joints, relaying a few bricks and installing a cap. He provided options for a black powder-coated stainless steel cap or a bluestone cap; commissioners said stone would be preferred when feasible but accepted the recommendation to use a metal cap where matching brick or structural support for stone would be impractical. The commission approved the chimney work unanimously and noted the preference for historically appropriate mortar and brick reuse where possible.

East Towne Street fence (COA 58967) — Chair Minor, speaking as the homeowner, explained the request to place a white wooden picket fence behind a parking pad at the rear of the Lathrop Schoolhouse to clarify property boundaries after recent trespassing. Commissioners noted similar fencing already exists in the neighborhood and described the request as a safety issue. The chair recused from the vote; the remaining commissioners approved the COA.

Washington Street HVAC (COA 59380) — The owner presented a like‑for‑like replacement of a condenser and an upstairs air handler; commissioners suggested future planting or screening around the outdoor condenser. The commission approved the application as submitted.

Staff will issue written COA decisions to applicants by email. Several items were described by applicants and contractors as “like for like” replacements, and the commission tied approvals to the submitted documentation for each COA.