HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
P.O. Box 65
Accord, New York 12404
MINUTES
Meeting of January 26, 2009
Members present: Bill Collier, Alice Cross, Holly Christiana, Diana Puglisi-Cilenti, Ward Mintz.
Also present: Manuela Michailescu, liaison from Town Board.
The Meeting was called to order by Chair Alice Cross at 4:10 p.m.
Minutes of the November HPC meeting were approved as corrected.
Veterans Park and Monument at Town Hall
++ Alice Cross will check with Carl Chipman regarding progress on land acquisition for the Park adjacent to the Municipal Parking lot.
++ Ruth Bendelius will check with Catskill Casting as to whether they would attach the brass plaques to the stones; at what charge?
++ Several estimates of cost for the plaques were gathered by Ruth Bendelius; the matter of which provider to select was tabled until more members are present.
++ In selection of a vendor, “Deal with local people if we can.”
Signage
++ Signs for Main Street and 6 hamlets are nearing completion.
Reconnaissance Survey
++ Presentation by Harry Hansen of abbreviated report to the Town Board on December 2008 was very well received. Members of the public are eager for more information. A public presentation of the entire report was promised.
++ Alice Cross is working with Harry to get the report finished ASAP.
++ Ward Mintz in concerned that the undue delay in completion of the report does not reflect well on the Town or HPC. This can be a detriment for opportunities for future requests from the NYS Preservation League. We do not want to lose our credibility.
++ We will invite Lynn Garofilini to review the completed report and to attend an HPC Board meeting for discussion of opportunities that evolve from the report, including applications for state and national registry recognition.
HPC Sponsored Programs for the Public
++ Public meeting on the Reconnaissance Survey is planned for Monday, April 20, 2009 to be held at the Rochester Reformed Church at 7 p.m. Holly Christiana will see if Stewarts will provide the coffee. Also needed are finger foods and extension cords.
++ Other ideas for outreach to the public regarding historic assets and preservation — in collaboration with Friends of Historic Rochester —
Self-guided driving tours of the Town — in recognition of completion of the survey and of the Quadricentennial celebration. Brochure needed for the tour.
Possibility of thematic tour focus —
Dutch farmhouses, schoolhouses, historic hamlets, existing farms
20th century resorts, D&H Canal and O&W Railway
Report by Town Board Liason
++ Town Board will be holding interviews for new members of the HPC.
++ Approval given for HPC meetings to be held on the 4th Mondays in January and
February because of holidays on the regular 3rd Mondays.
++ Minutes of HPC meetings should be sent to Mike Baden for posting on the Town website.
++ Harry Hansen’s presentation previewing the Reconnaissance Survey was well
received at the Town Board meeting in December.
Other
++ Discussion of language regarding protection of historic assets of the Town that is being proposed by the Comprehensive Plan Task Force (as reported in the Blue Stone Press of January 23, 2009).
Issue of concern is statement of procedure for the Planning Board when construction or other activity may have negative impact on an historic property. “Developersmay be required to mitigate (instead of shall mitigate) plans which will have an impact on an historic resource referenced in the town Comprehensive Plan or identified by the Town Historic Preservation Commission.”
The current procedure, as per the current Historic Preservation Law of the Town, is that the Planning Board seeks input from the HPC regarding all applications for development. The HPC then responds that there is no impact on an historic resource by the planned development, or has the opportunity to work with the Planning Board and the developer to mitigate any negative impact.
++ Diana Puglisi-Cilenti, who is on the Code Task Force, will convey the HPC’s concern to the Task Force at their meeting this evening.
Next Meeting – February 23, 2009 at 4:00 PM at the Town Hall.
Adjournment — Meeting was adjourned at 5:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Alice Cross