TOWN of NEW SHOREHAM
Historic District Commission
Monday March 24, 2025
5:00 P.M. at Town Hall
16 Old Town Road
Block Island, Rhode Island
MINUTES
The Town of New Shoreham Historic District Commission convened for a meeting at 5:00 P.M. at Town Hall on March 24, 2025.
Present: Chair-Arlene Tunney, Vice Chair-Martha Ball, Bill Koch, Kay McManus, Elizabeth Moss, Mike Ballard, Mark Vaillancourt.
Ms. Tunney opened the meeting at 5:00 P.M.
1. Estate of Lewis Gaffett, Plat 6, Lot 3-3. Fire #85 Ocean Ave. Application by Thomas J. Martucci, for construction of two dormers.
Continued until the next meeting.
2. TMG-BI Realty, LLC, Plat 6, Lot 157. Fire #212 Water Street. Application by Thomas J. Martucci, for new entrance pergolas.
Continued until the next meeting.
3. TMG-BI Realty, LLC, Plat 6, Lot 157. Fire #212 Water Street. Application by Thomas J. Martucci, for a new sign.
Continued until the next meeting.
4. Gobern, Shirlyne J., Plat 6, Lot 130-1. Fire # 443 Dodge Street. Application by Shirlyne Gobern, for construction of a deck and stairs.
Ms. Gobern stated that she would like to put back the historic stairs that had previously been on the property.
Mr. Mark Vaillancourt made a motion for Final approval for Gobern, Shirlyne J., Plat 6, Lot 130-1. Fire # 443 Dodge Street. Application by Shirlyne Gobern, for construction of a deck and stairs.
Findings of fact:
This structure is important to the Historic District.
The design and material are keeping with the island vernacular.
Mr. Bill Koch seconded the motion, and the motion carried 7-0.
Ayes 7 (Tunney, Vaillancourt, Ballard, Koch, McManus, Ball, Moss)
1. Discuss and Act on the Planning Board’s request for your review of Plat 5, Lot 90 being included in the Historic District.
Mr. Mike Ballard made a motion to include Plat 5, Lot 90 in the recommendation to The Planning Board.
Mr. Bill Koch seconded the motion, and the motion carried 6-1.
Ayes 6 (Tunney, Ballard, Koch, McManus, Ball, Moss) Nays I (Vaillancourt)
2. Report on Administrative application approvals. Plat 6, Lot 111, Island Restoration Assoc. Inc
Ms. Amanda Boulay reported on the approval of in kind shingle replacement.
3. Election of Officers
Mr. Mike Ballard made a motion for Ms. Arlene Tunney to be chair and Mr. Bill Koch as vice chair.
Ms. Elizabeth Moss seconded the motion, and the motion carried 4-3.
Ayes 4 (Tunney, Ballard, McManus, Moss) Nays 3 (Vaillancourt, Koch, Ball)
4. Revise the Historic District application and preliminary/final process.
Continued to next meeting.
5. The HM&FMP Advisory Committee would like to bring to your attention that from March 17-April 7, 2025, a Draft of the Hazard Mitigation & Flood Management Plan (HM&FMP) will be available on the Town's website (Project webpage) for review and comment (https://www.newshorehamri.gow/437/Hazard-Mitigation-Flood-Management-Plan) and a Public Hearing on the Draft Plan will be held at the Town Council’s April 7, 2025 Meeting.
6. Approve minutes:
Ms. Elizabth Moss made a motion to approve minutes as amended from February 24, 2025
Ms. Martha Ball seconded the motion, and the motion carried 4-3-0.
Ayes 4 (Koch. McManus, Ball, Moss) Abstain 3 (Tunney, Ballard, Vaillancourt)
Mr. Bill Koch made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:35pm.
Ms. Elizabth Moss seconded the motion, and the motion carried 7-0.
Ayes 7 (Tunney, Vaillancourt, Ballard, Koch, McManus, Ball, Moss)
Respectfully submitted,
Amanda Boulay
Administrative Assistant
Land Use Department
Town of New Shoreham