Proposed South Green Historic District Rejected

OLD SAYBROOK - A proposal to create the town's second historical district failed to garner enough votes for passage.

The Old Saybrook Town Clerk's Office confirmed that they received 30 ballots opposed to the district and 23.5 ballots favoring the proposed South Green Historical District.

Joint homeowners were given a half a ballot each while those owning more than one piece of property in the proposed district were only mailed one ballot.

Two thirds vote was required for passage, which in this case, would have required 36 whole ballots to pass since 86 ballots were sent out.

The rejection brings back a déjà vu for veteran residents who remember how the proposed North Cove Historical District was originally rejected in 1970.

Some residents hope the similarities end there since the North Cove Historical District was later approved in 1985 as the town's first historical district.

Bob Baldwin, a resident who lives in the 1843 Major Hart House, has expressed his opposition to the district.

Baldwin believes the district would create unnecessary restrictions for property owners who are already respectful of the historical homes they reside.

The district would have required residents to apply for a certificate of appropriateness for all exterior changes which could be seen from the road such as windows, fencing, and doors.

In front of his house is a fence painted red, white, and blue which he calls the "Freedom Fence" signifying the freedom he believes all residents should have regarding the exterior of their homes.

"I'm glad that it's over," Baldwin said, adding that in reality the issue of the district is just over for now and he believes the idea for the district will be resurrected.

Bob Wendler, who headed the North Cove Historical District and served as vice chairman for the South Green Historical District, said while he was surprised residents rejected the measure; he agreed with Baldwin that it will be tried in the future.

To increase chances of the measure passing in the future, Wendler admitted the proposed district could be scaled back from the original proposal.