Joanne Lawson
Coverage (19 articles)
Historic Commission Lets 7 Church Street Skip Its Fence
The Farmington Historic District Commission approved a picket fence at 7 Church Street on May 19 and called it the last exterior detail on a house it had reviewed in stages since March 2025. On July 21 the owners said they would rather skip the fence and plant shrubs instead. That change came in as a planner's report, not an application, so there was no hearing, no vote, and no new certificate.
Historic Commission Approves an Oil Tank Already Installed
The new oil tank behind 772 Farmington Avenue was installed, the bollards reset, and the screening panel built and painted before the Farmington Historic District Commission ever voted on it. On July 21 the commission approved the work as presented, in under nine minutes, without a question about it. The owner apologized twice for the order of operations, and then made the only case for the work's appropriateness himself.
Farmington Weighs Annex Plan and $14.3M School HVAC Bond
At a lengthy Feb. 24 hearing, Farmington officials and residents focused on a proposed Town Hall Annex overhaul, a $14.3 million elementary school HVAC bond, road spending, and unresolved questions over the high school track and turf field.
Farmington HDC Rejects Steel Garage Doors on Mountain Road
The Farmington HDC navigates the nuances of vinyl cladding, steel doors, and hewn crosses. From 14 Mountain Road to the crumbling silo at the Tint Barn, preservation remains a detailed art.
Farmington HDC Meeting Nov 2025: Mountain Road & More
Historic District Commission November 2025 meeting notes and approvals.
Farmington HDC Approves Church Sign, Debates Memorial Cross
Historic District Commission Juggles Church Signs, Windows, and a Wandering Cross A wooden memorial cross needs a home. A church signpost leans to one side. And 41 windows wait for replacement. Welcome to the October 21, 2025 meeting of Farmington’s Historic District Commission, where four members tackled five applications after Cliff Max resigned and left…
Farmington Weighs Joint America 250 Celebration With Avon
Farmington weighs an America 250 celebration with Avon: fireworks, music, food trucks, and history tents—plus a budget split and a field big enough to keep the fields, well, playable.
Farmington HDC OKs Brickyard Walk Sign, 93 Main Solar
Farmington’s HDC approved a Brickyard Walk hanging sign at 769 Farmington Ave and a 16 kW solar array at 93 Main. Staff confirmed the Winchell-Smith Dam removal and a Nov. 6 oral-histories training.
Farmington HDC OKs Church Door, Solar; Dam Removal Sept. 15
Farmington HDC’s Aug. 19 special meeting approved a St. James door modification (steel, with SDLs), a rear-roof solar array at 5 Maple, and clarified 7 Church sidelights. Dam removal begins Sept. 15. ⚖️
Commission OKs Exterior Details for 7 Church Street 🏠
May 20th’s HDC meeting featured no calligraphy, no MAGA bills, and exactly one commitment to preserving Farmington’s past—no matter how controversial the paint color.
Farmington HDC Votes to Add Two Houses to Historic District
Farmington’s Historic District Commission votes to expand the historic district, but not before tackling a conflict of interest and a quiet reminder that old houses come with new rules.
Farmington HDC Rejects Vinyl Windows, OKs Heat Pump
Heat pumps, lattice, and one very firm “no” to vinyl windows. Full report from Farmington’s HDC March 25 meeting. 🧱📏
Farmington Historic Commission: Noise, Windows and a Sign
Miss Porter’s School wants new windows, St. Patrick’s needs a sign, and historic preservation meets frozen ground in Farmington’s latest Historic District Commission meeting. 🏛️❄️🔊
Farmington Historic Commission Balances Past and Future
Farmington’s Historic District Commission delves into signs, setbacks, and tradition vs. innovation in a detailed, quote-filled meeting recap!
Farmington Historic District: Iron Railings, Church Sign
Farmington Historic District covers iron railings, a new church sign, and quirky regulations. Stay informed with slow, deep journalism—and no, not the tattered tent type. 🤢✨
Farmington Historic Panel Approves Mini-Splits, Bollards
🏛️ Air conditioners, ancient doors, and indestructible bollards—Farmington’s Historic Commission tackles the big issues, one panel at a time. Where preservation meets modern discomfort. 🌳 #Farmington
Farmington Historic District Commission Highlights, July 23
In a riveting meeting, Farmington’s Historic Committee tackles door dilemmas & signage sagas! Discover the drama, quotes & decisions. Sponsored by Farmington Storage. 🏛️📜🏢 #FarmingtonHistory
Farmington HDC’s 2024: Windows, Cupolas and Comedy
Dive into Farmington HDC’s 2024: from window wars to historic cupola capers, plus tech glitches and more. 🏡🪟 #HistoricDistrict #FarmingtonCT #CommunityComedy
Farmington Historic District Commission Meeting Recap
Farmington’s Historic District Commission tackles window woes and railing ruckuses in their latest meeting. Laughs, history, and PVC debates ensue. 🏠🪟📜 #Farmington #HistoricPreservation