BENNINGTON HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
                  Town Office Conference Room
             WEDNESDAY, April 30, 2003 - 3:00 p.m.
                            MINUTES
                    MEMBERS PRESENT:    Sharon Yorke, Hugh Baker, Victor Rolando, John Dostal, Anne                     Bugbee, Meg Campbell, and Tordis Ilg Isselhardt (arrived at                     3:18 p.m.)
                    MEMBERS EXCUSED:    David Aldrich and William B. Colvin
                    Also Present:       Beth Antognioni 
Yorke called the meeting to order at 3:04 p.m.
     1.   Minutes
Dostal moved and Rolando seconded that the Minutes of April 9, 2003 be approved as presented.  Passed.
     2.   HPC Board Appointments
Yorke welcomed Meg Campbell to HPC and congratulated Dostal on his reappointment.
     3.   DRB
At its meeting of April 30, 2003  the Bennington Historic Preservation Commission reviewed two projects within the Downtown Bennington Design Review District that are scheduled to come before the Development Review Board on May 6, 2003.  The relevant motions pertaining to each project are outlined below.
     •    Maguires Barber Shop & Apartments - Vinyl Siding ( 106 School Street)
          The HPC reviewed the information and photograph of 106 School Street found in the      "Sites and Structures Survey", as well as the Preservation Guidelines pertaining to      Wall Materials and Surfaces found in "Time and Place". 
          The Basic guideline (pg. 46 - "Time and Place") relative to wall materials is "Retain old      or original wall materials. Avoid covering wall surfaces with metal or synthetic      cladding, and avoid improper cleaning, repair, repointing or coating of masonry walls."       Further p. 47 of "Time and Place" lists as Not Appropriate, "Covering wall surfaces      with metal or vinyl siding, or other synthetic cladding which differs greatly from      original materials."  Bugbee moved and Baker seconded that the "HPC finds the      proposed vinyl siding of 106 School Street to be Not Appropriate."  Passed      unanimously.                                                                         The Bennington HPC would like to restate their position on siding: "We encourage                                              property owners to maintain clapboard on their buildings and not use vinyl, it only                                              compromises the integrity of the building".
     •    Drew "It's A Girl Thing" - Sign Proposal (353 Main Street)
          Bugbee moved and Dostal seconded that "the HPC support the "It's A Girl Thing" sign      proposal, as presented."  Passed unanimously.
     4.   Historic Preservation Conference Registrations
The Vermont Historic Preservation Conference is scheduled for May 23, 2003 in Barre.  Isselhardt and Bugbee will be attending the conference.  Antognioni will submit registration forms.
Dostal left at 3:24 p.m., and Antognioni left at 3:30 p.m.
     5.   Bradford Mill Complex Presentation by Anne Bugbee.  (Rolando picked up minute taking here)
Bugbee, who passed around an 1895 photo of the mill and a tracing of a Sanburn 1896 map.  Bugbee discussed which buildings still stand, presented a brief history of the mill complex; followed by a discussion on the mill's historic significance.  Isselhardt suggested contacting other CLG's on how they deal with similar issues.  Campbell suggested contacting Ann Cousins, Sue Jamelle, and/or Jane Lendway. Campbell will contact DHP for information to turn Bradford Mill Complex as a designated NR District.
Yorke discussed signage on Route 279.  Historic brown signs for National Register - space for three mentions: Bennington Battle Monument; plus two others.  DRB to make recommendations tonight, April 30, 2003.  Possibility for two brown signs - one for downtown Bennington and  the other for North Bennington, Park McCullough, etc.
     6.   At Risk Sites & Structures Forms
Bugbee mentioned house next to Stewarts. (East Main Street).
     7.   Other Preservation Issues
Rolando asked if garages need demolition permit.    Mentioned VT Archaeological Society Spring Meeting at Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Saturday, May, 3, 2003.
Isselhardt questioned - Will HPC weigh in on proposed Zoning Bylaws?  Yorke will bring applicable sections of the Bylaw to HPC.
Bugbee noted the next Bennington Historical Society meeting is May 8, 2003.
                       Next Meeting Date:
                  May 14, 2003 & May 28, 2003
Meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Beth Antognioni for
William B. Colvin
Secretary, HPC
Director of Economic and Community Development
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