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Historic district commission approves porch restoration at 23 South Main
Summary
The Berlin Historic District Commission approved an application to restore the front porch at 23 South Main, allowing the owners to replace deteriorated decking, retain original columns, reinstate historic railings shown in archival photos, and to use vinyl spindles for maintenance with a color match condition.
The Berlin Historic District Commission approved an application to restore the front porch at 23 South Main, granting the owners permission to replace deteriorated decking, retain original columns and reinstate historic railings shown in an archival photograph. The work was filed as case 03-04-26-08 and was approved "as presented," the chair said.
Nate Racer of Brother Building Company, who spoke for the property owners, said the porch and rear landing have "definitely deteriorated over the years" and described the condition as a safety hazard. "We definitely want to keep it as close to original as we can," Racer said, urging the commission to preserve the columns and to replace the rest of the porch to match its historic appearance. Racer asked to reinstall railings shown in the packet photo and requested vinyl spindles for maintenance reasons, noting that vinyl railings have previously been approved for other town properties.
During discussion, a local resident identified as Carol offered historical context for the house and supported restoring original details, saying the structure was rebuilt after a 1904 fire and "built in 1905," and noting surviving original fabric. Commissioners and the applicant discussed finish details: the applicant plans a wood deck with a darker mahogany stain rather than a painted floor, wants the railings to be color-matched to the home's trim (an "almond tone" was referenced), and proposed poly lattice skirting under the house to keep pets out.
A contractor explained that a previous repair that trimmed the porch edge altered the original water-shedding detail and accelerated rot, a technical point the commission cited in weighing the need for full porch replacement versus patch repairs. After questions and brief clarifications about materials and dimensions, a commissioner moved to approve the application as presented; the motion was seconded and the commission voted to approve the case (no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript).
Next steps: the applicants will proceed with permitted work under the commission approval; commissioners requested that any final material samples and color information be available when work begins so the installation matches the approved color palette.
