HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
P.O. Box 65
Accord, NY 12404

Minutes

Friday, September 11, 2015 – 3:00 p.m.

Present: Alice Cross, Frank Dannecker, Howard Kagan, Walter Levy, Ward Mintz, Alice Schoonmaker.
Others present: Sherry Chachkin, liaison to Town Board; Carl Chipman, Supervisor, for specific topic of discussion; Charles Wyant and Chris Rider, Fire Commissioners; Larry DeWitt, visitor.

Minutes – Minutes of meeting on June 15, 2015 were accepted with motion made by Ward Mintz, seconded by Walter Levy and passed.

Communication from Planning Board – Re: Application for Special Events Venue permit by Eddleman and Macagnone of 607 County Rte. 6, Alligerville, Crested Hen Farm. Public hearing is now closed. Written comments still being accepted. Adjustments to application still happening: e.g., placement of, and requirements for, access road from County Rte. 6.
Several letters to HPC from Save Alligerville group that seeks support from HPC for efforts to defeat the application have been answered with the fact that HPC’s jurisdiction is limited to preservation of historic exterior appearance of the barn. However, HPC members are free to express opinions as private citizens.

Bronze plaques for Rochester residents who have died in wars – Names will be same as those on new memorial at County Office Building in Kingston. HPC will be asked to research and recommend design of plaques to be added to TOR Veterans Park.

Alligerville Historic District Project – Celebration Party held on July 18th is deemed to have been a success. Thanks to RELC for providing the venue, and to all HPC members who worked to organize the event.

Alligerville Schoolhouse/Firehouse – Discussion with Fire Commissioners Charles Wyant and Chris Rider covered the following points: Company #3, Alligerville, needs to improve its facility. Preferred option would be to purchase land and build a new firehouse, somewhere in the vicinity of Alligerville. A suitable piece of land for sale is the DeJager property on Lucas Turnpike.
The present firehouse needs significant repairs, including a $36,000 metal roof. An engineering survey is needed to determine whether the structure is sound. The Fire Commissioners have received a figure of
$165,00 valuation for the property.
Search of the deed shows that there are no restrictions on the sale of the former schoolhouse. However, in order to sell the property, approval must be gained in a public referendum.
What would the procedure by for sale by the fire company? Who would want to buy the property? HPC would want it to be advertised as a valuable historically important property.
The Town does not have money or reason to buy the property.
Easiest solution for the fire company would be to raze the structure and begin over again, but Charlie and Chris seem interested in preserving the historic schoolhouse for the community if a plan can be developed.
HPC members are invited to attend Fire Commissioners’ meeting on 3rd Wednesdays at 7:30.

Accord Survey Project – Application for Preserve NY grant to support the survey did not go through last spring, due to glitch at PNY office. Application can be re-submitted in spring 2016. Other possible funding sources might be RELC, Greenway, etc.
In the meantime, we need to develop details of a conceptual plan for the HPC Accord Project which has the goal of Improvement of the Hamlet, and to work with the Planning Board about the Accord Project, and about our support of the Town’s efforts to achieve the Accord link with the Rail Trail. Howard Kagan has ideas and expertise relevant to this project; he will work with Walter and Ward to clarify and develop our conceptual plan. Other advice could come from Gregg Swanzey who is finishing up with Economic Development in Kingston.
Main Street in the Accord Downtown District is: Gateway to and Town Seat of Town of Rochester; access to Accord Link with Railtrail; in need of sidewalks and other improvements; in need of promotion for new property owners and economic development.

Liaison Report – Sherry Chachkin presented a request for HPC’s input on an Open Space Inventory being conducted by John Mickelson as consultant for the TOR to update the 2006 natural resource inventory, and to develop an open space data inventory. Each member of HPC is asked to respond to the survey by Tuesday.

Next Meeting – Monday, October 19, 2015 at 3:00 p.m., Town Hall.

Adjournment – motion made by Frank Dannecker, seconded by Walter Levy and passed.

Respectfully submitted,
Alice Cross, Acting Secretary