Connecticut State Statutes (CGS) require Public Hearings for all applications for Certificate of Appropriateness.  The HDC is required to hold a Public Hearing and make a decision on an application within 65 days of the official receipt of application. The official date of receipt shall be recorded upon submission to the Office of the HDC. 

The HDC must advertise all scheduled Public Hearings in a newspaper having substantial local circulation at least once not more than 15 and not less than 5 days before the public hearing.  In addition, public notice is posted at the Town Clerk’s office.  Written notice to neighbors is required under the town’s Demolition Ordinance, and it is HDC policy to do so as well for all Public Hearings related to a Certificate of Appropriateness. 

By law, all HDC meetings which constitute a quorum of its members, except Executive Sessions, must be open to the public and have a posted agenda and adequate public notice.  Executive Sessions are closed to the public but must be advertised on the posted agenda for any meeting and must be limited to legal and personnel issues.

Three members of the HDC constitute a quorum.  When less than five members are present, the chairperson may appoint the number of designated alternates required to make a full HDC.  Alternates serve in rotation and have full voting rights.

Public Hearings are held during the monthly regular meetings of the HDC.  All records are available for public review at the Office of the HDC.

Special Meetings may be held for any reason, and at any time and location, at the request of the chairperson or any two members of the HDC.  Special Meetings may include (but are not necessarily limited to) workshops, seminars, inter-agency discussions involving mutual interests, consultation with professional experts and technical consultants, and discussions with private groups and individuals.  Special Meetings may also be held at the option of the HDC to expedite lengthy proceedings continued over from a regular meeting.  Special Meetings which constitute a quorum of the HDC members must be open to the public and notice and agenda for the same must be posted at the Town Clerk’s office at least 24 hours before such meeting, though no other advertising is required.

Public Hearings are scheduled in conjunction with the regular meetings of the Historic District Commission (HDC), which are held on the second Tuesday evening of every month.  Regular meetings normally begin at 7:00 PM at Town Hall but may be scheduled at other times and location per published notice of Public Hearing.

At the public hearing, the Chairperson will first call the meeting to order.  The Clerk of the HDC will read the advertised notices of public hearings, which will be heard in the order that the HDC deems proper.  The Chairperson will ask the Applicant and/or Applicant’s agent to be recognized and be identified for the record. 

The Applicant shall then make a presentation to the HDC, explaining the proposed work.  At the Applicant’s option, the Applicant may also introduce expert witnesses and other interested parties (such as neighbors) who may make further presentation to the HDC.

After the Applicant’s presentation, the Chairperson and HDC members may direct questions to the Applicant and his or her representatives.  These questions may relate to the proposed work and/or demolition, and to the historic, architectural and cultural significance of the property, including the context of the property as it relates to the patterns of development of the town.

After questioning by the HDC, the Chairperson will hear questions and comments from the audience, if any, who in turn must introduce themselves by name and address.  Those who wish to speak in favor of a project will speak first.  Those who wish to speak against a project will be asked to do so only after all proponents have been heard.  All comments must be directed to the HDC and not to the Applicant.  Only one person shall be allowed to speak at a time.  After hearing opposing comments, if any, the Applicant will be allowed to rebut objections. 

After questions and comments from the audience and the Applicant’s rebuttal have been heard, the Chairperson will call the public hearing closed.  The Chairperson will then request the HDC members to individually comment on the application.  With regard to proposed demolition, such comments will be limited to the assessment of the existing structure and the viability of its preservation.