HPC Minutes March 2008

Meeting of Monday, March 17, 2008
Members present: Ruth Bendelius, Bill Collier, Alice Cross, Ward Mintz,  Alice Schoonmaker.

 

Also present: Manuela Mihiaelescu, liaison from the Town Board; Alonzo Grace.
Minutes of the February 2008 meeting were approved with motion made by Alice Schoonmaker, seconded by Ruth Bendelius, and passed.

 

Programs

 

The next public program will be on Monday, April 21st at 7 p.m. at the Rochester Reformed Church.  Following a very short business meeting, the speakers will be two persons who are active in historic preservation in the Town of New Paltz: John Orfitelli, member of the New Paltz Historic Preservation Commission, and Neil Larson, Consultant.  They will address New Paltz’s experience with regard to such issues as landmark designation, certified local government status, historic preservation law, educational programs on preservation, etc.  It is expected that their insights will be of interest and value to us in the Town of Rochester.
Ward Mintz will do publicity for this event.

 

Veterans Park

 

        Manuela commented that the new Town Board supports the concept of establishing a Veterans Park in the Town, and plans to form a new committee to work on the project.  The HPC would be represented on this new committee.
 Additionally, the Town has spoken with Senator Bonacic about a substantial grant from him in support of the design for the Park which has been developed by Nancy Copley.  He was assured that the community is much in favor of a Veterans Park in the Town of Rochester.  This definitely is the case.
The Town Board wants copies of the bids that HPC has received to accomplish the Copley design.

 

It was immediately apparent that there has been a breakdown of communication between the HPC and the new Town Board.  It was at the last meeting of the HPC (reflected in the Minutes of Feb. 2008), that the HPC decided not to use the Copley design which, although very beautiful, is too grand and too costly.  It was the consensus of the HPC that a Park of simpler design is more appropriate for our Town: e.g. post and rail wooden fence instead of formal, solid, tall fencing; landscaping that would allow vistas into surrounding fields; elimination of the elements of the Copley design that entail the presence of a pool of water and the use of electricity.

 

The HPC commented to Manuela that the Town appears to want to take the lead on this project, so the HPC would step back.  A letter expressing the need for communication between the TB and the HPC about the Veterans Park project, and clarification of roles, will be sent to Supervisor Chipman.

 

Signage

 

        Bill Collier has spoken with Jack Dawson about installing the hamlet signs.  Bill and Alice Cross will place stakes at the locations where the signs are to go.  Then Jack will install the signs.
Other Matters

 

        Barley’s Store building on Main Street – Issues of historic preservation and public health and safety must be addressed ASAP.  Futile conversations and negotiations have been going on with the owner since 2003.  Serious deterioration has taken place just recently.  Both a potential private party buyer and the Town have expressed interest in the building.  Many issues pertain to the property. A motion was made by Alice Schoonomaker, seconded by Ward Mintz, and passed unanimously, that a letter be sent (copy included) to the Town Board from the HPC about this matter.
        The letter will include information about a state grant program that will provide money for a municipality to stabilize a structure with historic value that is under private ownership.

 

        Reconnaisance Survey and inventory of historic structures, update and extension –Ward Mintz asked everyone to think of properties that need to be identified that have not yet been included in our survey because they are not visible from the road.  Properties that definitely need to be added to the list are: house on Tobacco Road, house of Ron Sharkey, Peg Leg Bates complex, Collier barn, Bendelius outbuildings.  Also any properties in the environs of Main Street, Accord that were not covered previously.
Next Meeting

 

April 21, 2008, 7:00 p.m., Rochester Reformed Church.
The meeting was adjourned with a motion made by Bill Collier, seconded by Ward Mintz, and passed.
Alice Cross