BENNINGTON HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION TOWN OFFICE, 205 SOUTH STREET, BENNINGTON, VT FRIDAY, July 28, 2000 - 4:00 p.m. MINUTES MEMBERS PRESENT: Sharon Yorke, Hugh Baker, John Dostal, Peter Lucas, Tordis Ilg Isselhardt, Victor Rolando, Nicolle Woodward, and Bill Colvin MEMBER EXCUSED: David Aldrich GUESTS PRESENT: Michael McDonough, Robert Moeller 1. Minutes Thanks were proffered to Victor Rolando for taking the Minutes of the July 14, 2000 meeting. Lucas moved, Isselhardt seconded that the Minutes of July 14, 2000 be approved as written. Unanimous. 2. Planning Commission Update Methodist Church Robert Moeller shared the plans for the new sign at the Methodist Church (design attached). He noted that the Church had worked with Mike McDonough through the Design Assistance Program. Dostal moved, Isselhardt seconded that the design be approved, as submitted. Unanimous. Blacksmith Shop Mike McDonough shared the revised plans for the Blacksmith Shop. He noted that the Planning Commission did not approve of the new vertical siding on the wooden addition at the rear of the building, and requested horizontal clapboards be used instead. The Planning Commission also wanted the "modern" windows in the wooden addition replaced with windows more "historic" in nature. McDonough explained that the Town's proposal in response to the Planning Commission conditions is to reside the rear addition with horizontal clapboards as requested, but to remove the windows from the wooden addition rather than replace them with "historic" windows. McDonough noted that it seemed inappropriate to place historically accurate windows in a historically inaccurate section of the building. The HPC agreed. Dostal initiated a discussion regarding the possibility of removing the wooden addition completely. McDonough explained that the space in that section was needed from a programmatic standpoint. Dostal commented on the placing of the second floor exit stairs. Yorke and Colvin noted that the HPC had already approved the design of the Blacksmith Shop at their June 30, 2000 meeting and should limit the discussion today to the two conditions noted by the Planning Commission. Lucas moved, Isselhardt seconded that rather than replacing the windows in the rear wooden addition with windows historically inaccurate for that section of the building, the HPC supports the Town's proposal to remove those windows. As support for the motion they noted standard #3 from the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation (p.39 - Time and Place). Standard #3 reads, "Each property shall be recognized as a physical record of its time. Changes that create a false sense of historical development . . . shall not be undertaken." The motion passed unanimously. Lucas moved, Baker seconded that the HPC reiterates its support of the original design submitted by the Town, which included new vertical siding, on the rear of the building. Passed with 7 in favor and 1 opposed. 3. 117 Union Street - Update Colvin read a letter from Building Inspector Larry McLeod to Robert Grauer of First City Savings Corporation (attached). The letter indicated the need for a maintenance plan in order to avoid a demolition order on the property. Colvin will continue to update the HPC regarding the issue. 4. Website Subcommittee The Downtown Website Committee has requested an opportunity to meet with the HPC's Website Subcommittee to brief them on what the Downtown Committee has done to date, and to explore opportunities to partner. Colvin will contact Cinda Morse to coordinate this meeting. 5. Other Preservation Issues Dostal noted that he has been negotiating for the acquisition of land near the Paper Mill Bridge. His idea is to create a public park there. Dostal has had recent discussions with an individual who may be interested in establishing a covered bridge museum. Dostal informed that the General Stark statue is to be delivered on August 1, 2000. A ceremony has been planned for the weekend after Bennington Battle Day. Colvin told the commission that a small group, including Cinda Morse and Claudia Dole, was looking into reviving the Bennington Region Preservation Trust (BRPT). Those with ideas about how this group might interact with HPC, or interested in assisting should contact Cinda. Colvin announced that there will be a public meeting with representatives of the Vermont State Department of Buildings and General Services on August 10, 2000 at 11:30 a.m. at the Bennington Free Library. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss the State's anticipated purchase of the BennCo building on Main Street. Colvin shared a proposal presented by the Garden Club of America for a new sign at the Silk Road Covered Bridge. The HPC felt that if there is to be signage it should be as part of a consistent program for all three covered bridges - Silk Road, Paper Mill, and Henry. They requested that action on the proposed Silk Road sign be postponed pending the development of a plan for all the bridges. Colvin updated the HPC on the creation of an ad hoc committee to assist the Select Board in choosing a project for application for Downtown Reinvestment Fund grant money. Baker moved, Dostal seconded that Sharon Yorke serve as the HPC's representative to the ad hoc committee. Passed unanimously. Isselhardt informed the commission that Home and Garden TV had filmed Jane Nichols (Executive Director of Park McCullough House) and Isselhardt. The Park McCullough House will be featured on an upcoming segment on that station. Isselhardt read an e-mail she received from Tom Berry of Senator Jeffords' office. Senator Jeffords will be at the Southern Vermont Arts Center in Manchester on August 28, 2000 to discuss arts, culture, and the Champlain Valley Heritage Corridor. The meeting adjourned at 5:49 p.m.. Respectfully submitted, William B. Colvin Community Development Director Secretary, Historic Preservation Commission NEXT MEETINGS: FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2000 - 4:00 p.m. WBC/am N:\Community Dev\HPC Folder\Minutes\Minutes\2000\072800.wpd