Lisbon— The Planning and Zoning Commission is delaying a public hearing and decision on whether to allow a salt storage building off Route 169 while the town surveys the site to determine the historical significance of several stone foundations and artifacts there.
State archeologist Nick Bellantoni said Tuesday that a field review of the site showed it had an archeological significance and recommended further study. Members of the Lisbon Historical Society, who have been seeking to delay the project, accompanied Bellantoni on a tour of the 11-acre property Tuesday morning.
The town purchased the property, located next to the Newent Congregational Church, in January for $140,000. Town officials are under orders from the state Department of Environmental Protection to cover a road salt pile and are seeking a special permit to build a structure on the property.
First Selectman Thomas H. Sparkman submitted a letter to the Planning and Zoning Commission seeking a 35-day extension and the continuation of the public hearing until Nov. 12.
A proposed roadway would have affected at least two of the stone foundations. The town is considering spending as much as $10,000 to conduct the survey and reconfigure the plans for the site.
“We're very pleased that the town is cooperating so we can work together to work this all out,” said Carolyn Read-Burns, the society president. “We'll wait until the survey is done and reassess what will happen next.”
The property is believed to be the former home of Tyler Brown, a state representative who served as second selectman in town in 1816.
Bellantoni determined that a portion of the property contained the foundations of late-19th and early 20th century agricultural outbuildings as well as historic farming equipment. Another area contained the stone foundation of a possible late-18th or early 19th century house foundation.
Bellantoni is also recommending that two historic dry-laid stone wells be capped with sand. He is requesting that below ground testing be conducted in the rear yard of the house to determine if any historic artifacts would be affected by the development.
The farming equipment should be removed from the area of disturbance and the contractors should avoid impact to the high stonewall that separates the Congregational Church property, he said.