A revitalized commission in Durham is taking a fresh look at some standards and procedures.
Following a long stretch of relative inactivity, the Durham Historic Commission is revitalized with new membership, and with it, the possibility of a broader perspective.
Candace deCsipkes, chairwoman of the commission, said that the new members and the presence of a codes enforcement officer, Paul Baines, who is a “stickler” on rules and regulations, have recharged the commission. She also said that the commission might want to take a new look at the Historic District Ordinance created in 2002.
“The commission is a little concerned about standards and procedures,” said deCsipkes, who is also on the Regional School Unit 5 board of directors. “That’s kind of at the top of our list – to simplify. The language is a little overwhelming, and taxing. That would all have to go to town meeting.”
The Historic District is located in the southwest bend area of town near the bandstand, where Royalsborough Road, Newell Brook Road and Ferry Road meet. The district includes properties on the Ferry Road, properties on the river side of Route 9 for a short distance south from southwest bend and properties on both sides of Route 136 for a short distance north from southwest bend. The Union Church on Royalsborough Road, also known as the Old Town Hall and used by the Durham Historical Society, is one of those historic buildings.
The Durham Historic Commission usually meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month at the Town Office, though the date of the next meeting has been changed to Aug. 20. Joe Donovik is the senior member, followed by deCsipkes. Seth Koenig, Benjamin Love and Paula Erdmann-Purdy are newer members, and Chris Pederson is the alternate. The town ordinance on the historic commission allows for one more alternate, and, Koenig said, he has heard there is interest in filling that position.
There is no specific amount of historic buildings in town. Rather, the historic commission concerns itself with changes made to buildings within the Historic District. There are buildings such as the Bagley House, the Methodist Church and the Shiloh Church that are not in the historic district but are considered historical, but not within the commission’s purview, Koenig said.
He agreed with deCsipkes that the historic district language could be simpler, and “lessen the burden” on property owners who want to do light work.
“We think that there’s a better balance that needs to be in place,” he said. “And we’re excited to become more active in educating the community on historic buildings and places in town. Durham has a lot of history.”
Koenig said he followed Love into the organization.
“Ben and I are friends and we volunteer for the town, and coach youth sports together,” he said. “He mentioned there was an opening, so we’re sharing our interests in history.”
Town officials created the Durham Historic District as part of the town’s Comprehensive Plan and developed ordinances. In 2007, the town appointed the Historic District Commission to support the ordinances. It is the mission of the commission “to identify, preserve and educate the town about its unique historical heritage.” As outlined in the Historic District Ordinance, the purpose of the district and commission is “preserving, protecting, and enhancing buildings and places or areas within the town which possess historical or cultural attributes and for the economic welfare of the residents and visitors to the town.”
Residents of the Historic District need a certificate of appropriateness from the Durham Historic Commission if they plan “any change in the exterior appearance of any building or structure in the Historic District by construction, addition, reconstruction, alteration or demolition; construction of a principal or accessory building or structure visible from a public street where such building or structure will be located in the Historic District;” or “removal of any building in the Historic District.”
Some homes within the district are of concern, deCsipkes said, some are not.
“It’s not well-defined, and the group is struggling with that,” she said.
She agreed with Koenig that educating residents on historical preservation should be a commission role.
“That’s more than just the district that has been defined,” she said. “I think it’s important to maintain the history of the town, and the commission has a long, long way to go on that.”
The Durham Historic Commission also has a relationship with the Durham Historical Society, which makes its home at the Old Town Hall and also owns the West Durham Methodist Church.
“We’re working on building that relationship,” deCsipkes said. “They want to restore both of the buildings.”
At its most recent meeting, held on July 17, the historic commission reviewed and approved an application by Justen Levesque, who is doing his Eagle Scout work at the War Memorial at the Town Park. Levesque plans to change the flagpoles so that a spotlight can shine on them, and he also wants to install electricity at the gazebo. Another Boy Scout plans to apply to the commission for permission to put in a gravel pathway in the park, deCsipkes said.
The Union Church as it is seen through a field of lupins last month, across Royalsborough Road. The church, also known as the Old Town Hall, is a key building in the Durham Historic District. Courtesy photo.
The Union Church, also known as the Old Town Hall on Royalsborough Road in Durham, is an important building in the Durham Historic District.Staff photo by Larry Grard
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