While there were two items on the agenda, the Historic Conservation Commission actually addressed four matters Jan. 21.

First on the agenda was 306 S. New St, Suite 601, the Zest Bar and Grille. The property is owned by Gateway, Inc. The owner of Zest, John Trapani, was seeking approval for new signs. The first issue to arise was a lack of scale drawings for the new signs.

When Trapani indicated his intent was to replace the existing signs with new signs, it was noted that the installation of the existing signs, and their mountings, had never been approved by the commission. When the sign contractor Williams explained the new signs would be box signs, the commission responded they had a custom of not approving box signs. After some discussion of styles and design specifics, the board seemed satisfied, but asked what a modified back lit design would cost the business owner.

John quickly replied that cost would not be an issue, saying “ It’s okay, we need people up there”. The new design would be frosted Plexiglass, black vinyl on top, led lights behind, with a vinyl back. The existing standoffs would be used. A motion was made to accept the modified design, and was carried unanimously.

The second matter was new signage for the property at 601 E. Fourth St., the Nest Bar and Grille. The submitted designs included an ornate bracket. The bracket was immediately rejected, as there are guidelines on the city’s website with guidelines for brackets in the historic district, and the design did not meet the guidelines. The sign designs featured the Nest logo, which has a nest with bricks in the background. A lack of scale drawings was also an issue. The owner quickly agreed to a simpler bracket that meets the city’s guidelines. The logo and the lighting of the sign proved to be thornier issues. After much discussion, the lighting and design of the sign were adapted to the commission ‘s satisfaction, and the improved design was voted on an approved. Beth Starbuck was the lone dissenter.

The third property was 17 E. Third St. This item was added due to a recent fire at the location, with repairs requiring prompt attention. The property had suffered a fire just two weeks earlier. The property owner was seeking to repair the property, specifically the second and third story windows, which were damaged, upgrade the quality of the front upstairs windows, restoring them partially to their original state, and bringing them more in line with the Historic neighborhood. A motion was quickly made, and unanimously approved.

The final issue before the commission was discussion with the owner of the Dunkin Donuts on Broadway. The trash enclosure was in need of upgrading, and the owner was seeking the commission’s guidance on the design of the new enclosure. He will return to the commission with a completed proposal for a new enclosure.