BENNINGTON HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
                  Town Office Conference Room
            WEDNESDAY, February 26, 2003 - 3:00 p.m.
                            MINUTES
                    MEMBERS PRESENT:    Sharon Yorke, Nicolle Woodward, Victor Rolando, David                     Aldrich, John Dostal, and William B. Colvin.
                    Also Present:       Beth Antognioni 
                         Members Excused:         Ann Bugbee, Tordis Ilg Isselhardt, and Hugh Baker.
Yorke called the meeting to order at 3:12 p.m.
     1.   Minutes
Rolando moved and Woodward seconded that the Minutes of February 12, 2003 be approved as presented.  Passed.
     2.   DRB Update - no updates
     3.   Cultural Resource Management Plan
Rolando shared his Draft review of the Cultural Resource Management Plan with HPC members along with his Chronology of New York and Vermont Operations of the Burden Iron Company.  Yorke suggested to have members review the information Rolando provided regarding the Cultural Resource Management Plan and come back to next meeting for discussion.  
     4.   At Risk Sites & Structures Forms
No forms at this time.  Yorke suggested there be a work session at the next meeting regarding these forms.  Members should bring their forms that they have filled out, and at the next meeting discuss and set up a  process of how the forms will be completed.     5.   Long range strategic planning discussion
Yorke started the discussion with the mission of HPC - summarized below:
HPC members serve the Development Review Board, Select Board and Planning Commission in an advisory capacity, and in so doing, help to coordinate activities that are important to Bennington's preservation goals.
               •    The Historic Preservation Commission is empowered by ordinance to act in the           preservation and identification of Bennington's historic sites and structures;
               •    Oversee the survey and review of historic sites eligible for the National           Register;
               •    Educate and advise other boards and commissions as well as the general public           with regard to historic preservation matters.
The items below were identified:
               •    Review the "Sites and Structure Survey"
               •    Possibly update and fix efficiencies in "Time and Place" , and generally how we           are about safe guarding sites and properties.
               •    Achieve community wide heritage and cultural resources and community well           being, broaden out with other preservation groups in the community.
Yorke also noted that HPC should work with people and be creative in order to help people that need funding for their properties; and identify At Risk Structures in certain neighborhoods and why a building is important in neighborhoods.  
Dostal noted the following items:
               •    In the next Town budget Stuart A. Hurd will make a provision to have all           covered bridges in Bennington fire proofed.
               •    Mike McDonough and Dan Monks have been working with DIC to discuss 12-15           sign plazas around the community directing people to historic sites, museum,           Old Castle Theater, colleges,  Hospital and Bennington Pottery.  
               •    Bennington Preservation Trust was disbanned in ‘97.  It was suggested that           HPC have a meeting and invite Megan Campbell in hopes of reactivating the           Bennington Preservation Trust committee.
Other Preservation Issues
Dostal noted that there are three unofficial welcome centers for Bennington and they are moving forward independently: 1. Chamber of Commerce, 2. BBC, and 3. Old Castle.
Colvin announced it is time for CLG grants.  Grants are due March 28, 2003.  The next formal Select Board meeting will be March 24, 2003, Colvin will present the application at their next meeting.  Colvin suggested that the 2003 CLG grant go toward expanding a partnership idea by reinventing the plaque program, by partnering with BBC and also by reevaluating the Downtown Assistance Program with BBC and BBC Design.  If amendable, Colvin will coordinate the efforts with BBC and BBC Design.  Aldrich motioned and Dostal approved. Unanimous.   A draft of the application will be provided to HPC members for the March 12, 2003 meeting.  Antognioni shared the plaque for the Blacksmith Shop - BBC.  Antognioni will forward the plaque to Ted Corbett.
Colvin noted that the Planning Commission is looking at the traffic flow on the Northside Drive Corridor.
Colvin reminded members that Monday night is the Town Meeting and voting is on Tuesday.
                      Next Meeting Dates:
                         March 12, 2003
                         March 26, 2003
Meeting adjourned at 4:27 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William B. Colvin
Secretary, HPC
Director of Economic and Community Development
WBC/ba
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