AFTER-THE-FACT PERMIT GRANTED
KENT, Conn.—The Historic District Commission met with Kent Historical Society curator Marge Smith Monday night to discuss an after-the-fact application to construct a porch on the northwest corner of Seven Hearths.
The ancient building, built in 1751, has served as a dwelling house, a trading post, a school, tenant farmers’ housing, a leased home and for many years was the residence of artist George Laurence Nelson and his wife, Helen. The Nelsons bequeathed the property to the Kent Historical Society in 1978.
Since then, the historical society has explored the architectural evidence of the building’s long history. Last summer, it sought to recreate a porch on one end of the front façade to correct a design defect that was sending rain water down some stairs to the cellar entrance, causing damage to the building.
It appears the entrance may have been covered by a porch in the 18th century. Stone supports under the new porch are part of the original foundation and post holes show that a former porch rested on them. The porch was certainly there by the turn-of-the-last century, when it was shown in a black-and-white photograph.
During the summer the historical society replaced the long-absent porch, thereby protecting the cellar door. The only problem was, it did not get a permit for the work.
“It’s a great embarrassment for the historical society,” said Smith as she represented the group in presenting the application. She explained that there had been a change in the directorship and board members of the society and the detail had slipped everyone’s attention.
The Commissioners praised the thoroughness of the application and appreciated the visual evidence of its precedence, quickly approving the structure.
Smith asked if a project that will restore the rear door of the building to its original dimensions will also require a permit. It was decided that because it is visible from a public throughfare, an application is required.
TOWN TREASURER REAPPOINTED
KENT, CT—In a very brief meeting Friday, Jan. 31, the Board of Selectmen reappointed Town Treasurer Barbara Herbst for another four-year term, to expire on Jan. 31, 2029, and Ruth Epstein to a similar term on the Northwest Transit Authority.
RESIDENT TROOPER TICKETING SPEEDERS
KENT, CT—First Selectman Marty Lindenmayer reported to his board last week that Resident State Trooper Vicki Donohoe has been making traffic stops in the vicinity of Kent Center School. Motorists tend to speed along the northern section of narrow Elizabeth Street as they take a short cut to the school to avoid the traffic light at the intersection of Routes 7 and 341.
There is currently no crossing guard to guide students across Bridge Street (Route 341) where it intersects with Elizabeth Street.
“The trooper has been pulling people over by the school,” he said, “and is having to give out tickets. I want to work with the school on this.”
He said that, although the speed limit is 15 mph, the area is not officially designated as a school zone. If it were to be so designated, traffic fines would double. A similar solution could be used for the area around the private Kent School campus located just across the river on Bridge Street.
FIVE ARE NAMED TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUBCOMMITTEE
KENT, CT—The Board of Selectmen last week named five persons and one alternate to sit on an Economic Development Subcommittee charged with crafting a mission statement for a full Economic Development Commission.
Selectman Glenn Sanchez reported that a number of people wanted to serve on the subcommittee, which will meet on the second Wednesday of each month at 4 p.m. until its work is complete.
Four of the members are from the public at large, with Sanchez representing the selectmen. Named to the subcommittee were Julie Chang, Gary Davis, Robert Love, Anne McAndrew and Sanchez, with Greg Eads serving as an alternate.
Selectman Lynn Mellis Worthington said that the subcommittee’s charge is too vague, but First Selectman Marty Lindenmayer said he wants to see what they come up with for a mission statement and that the Selectmen can “tweak it” later.
It was noted that, while Kent has a robust economy and an active Chamber of Commerce, it has never had a town agency dedicated to economic development. “We need something that is not just concerned with what’s here now,” said Lindenmayer.
“Where are we going as a community? Where are we going with housing? We need a means of having development that is in concert with what we want Kent to be.”
