BENNINGTON HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
                  Town Office Conference Room
             Wednesday, October 8, 2003 - 3:00 p.m.
                            MINUTES
                    MEMBERS PRESENT:    Meg Campbell, Tordis Ilg Isselhardt, Anne Bugbee, Victor                     Rolando, John Dostal, and Sharon Yorke.
                    MEMBERS ABSENT:     David Aldrich, Hugh Baker, and William B. Colvin
          
Yorke called the meeting to order at 3:04 p.m.
     1.   Minutes 
          3. Zoning Bylaw Review and Comment
Page 2, 1st paragraph, last sentence- Perhaps a better definition is anything that is listed as contributing in the Historic Sites and Structures Survey that is at least 50 years old.
Contributing is defined as - Sites and Structures that possess integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association, and at least 50 years old.
Table 3.19 Historic Central Bennington Design Review District, last paragraph should read:  The Commission felt very strongly that the role of the Historic Preservation Commission should be included in (E) Development Review Board Procedure.  The DRB currently directs applicants with projects in the Design Review District to come before the HPC prior to presenting to their Board.  It makes sense for this step to be officially stated in the new by-law. 
          4. At Risk Sites & Structures
Rolando added the Van Nostrum should be - Van Nostrand.
Isselhardt moved and Campbell seconded to present the amended changes above referring to the Zoning Bylaw Review and Comment to the Planning Commission.  Dostal abstained.  Yorke will provide amended changes to the Planning Commission.  Amended minutes of September 24, 2003 were approved.
     2.   HPC Roles, Duties & Goals
The commission discussed projects that are coming along, and the need to have a sheet (matrix) with focus on projects included along with short term/long term goals.  Following is a list of directions we might take for the Commission:
HPC Seminar
Plaques
Need to go to the Select Board in March
Educational Goals
Job Description for HPC
Upgrade "Time and Place"
Expand Bennington Downtown National Register District
Look at other Potential National Register Districts, i.e. - Papermill Village & Bradford House, etc.
Complete Historic Neighborhood Project
Re-establish Bennington Region Preservation Trust (BRPT)
Field Trip around town
Encourage property owners support
Public Education
3. At Risk Sites and Structures Survey
Vail Farm, Wyman House on Northside Drive, and 235 Silk Road were discussed.
At Risk Sites and Structures Survey is an ongoing list of historic properties deteriorating or otherwise threatened. 
4. National Landmark Criteria
Antognioni handed out National Landmark "Criteria" to the Commission.
5. Other Preservation Issues
Commission members were going to look at the website for any changes they feel are necessary and bring them to the next HPC meeting.
On October 29, 2003 the Commission will travel around Bennington for their road trip. Yorke will speak with Dan Monks regarding a Town Highway Map they can use for their trip that Antognioni will include in the next HPC packet. 
The Commission also discussed the maps that were used in the past for educational purposes in the local schools, and questioning their whereabouts and usage for them.   
                         Upcoming Meeting
                         October 29, 2003
Respectfully Submitted
Beth Antognioni for William B. Colvin
Secretary, HPC
Director of Economic and Community Development
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