BENNINGTON HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
                  Town Office Conference Room
           Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - 3:00 p.m.
                            MINUTES
                    MEMBERS PRESENT:    Meg Campbell, Tordis Ilg Isselhardt, Anne Bugbee, Victor                     Rolando, John Dostal, Sharon Yorke, and William B. Colvin.                    MEMBERS ABSENT:     David Aldrich and Hugh Baker
          
Yorke called the meeting to order at 3:05 p.m.
     1.   Minutes 
Campbell moved, Dostal seconded the Minutes of August 27, 2003 be approved as presented.  Unanimous
     2.   HPC Reorganization
Campbell agreed to act as Vice Chair for 6 months with Yorke continuing as Chair until a new board is appointed in March 2004.  Colvin moved and Isselhardt seconded that Campbell will be Vice Chair and Yorke will be Chair until new appointments in  March, 2004.
3. DRB Update
Global Link Travel, 542 Main Street - Sign Permit
The HPC determined that insufficient information was put forth in the application to allow the Commission to evaluate the permit request.  The Commission noted that without some scaled rendering showing the placement of the sign relative to the building and its environs, it is impossible to determine the appropriateness of a sign permit application.
The HPC will address this issue in its comments to the Planning Commission as part of the Zoning Bylaw revision process.     
4.   At Risk Sites and Structures
The following changes were recommended for the At-Risk Form:
Heading to read:
TOWN OF BENNINGTON AT-RISK SITES AND STRUCTURES SURVEY
NAME OF SITES AND STRUCTURES: 
Revised form is attached.
     5.   Other Preservation Issues
Colvin noted that there is an interested party in the Stone Church in North Bennington, the town is working with the interested party in facilitating a sale.  The town is also looking into the tax status of the Stone Church.
Yorke noted the Planning Commission will be asking HPC to consider potential National Landmarks and also applying for National Landmarks.  Campbell will look into what the criteria are and bring back to the next meeting.  
Colvin will send a letter out to Mr. Stannard in reference to his request for an "endorsement" for his Valentine Mill carriage barn property.  Letter attached.
HPC discussed what the next steps of the Neighborhood Project should be:  
     -    identify historic neighborhoods
     -    possibly partner with Bennington College or SVC faculty, HPC could work with the      faculty who would supervise students, use this as an educational tool
          Bugbee will contact a faculty member at Bennington College and speak to them about      a possible partnership
Campbell handed out a draft of "Siding in the Central Bennington Historic District". 
Members will review draft and discuss at the next meeting. 
Bugbee noted that CAT-TV would like to request a plaque for their building on Main Street.  Bugbee will look information up.  Jane Nicholls has expressed interest in helping with signs.
Colvin noted the CLG is due in January 2004 instead of March 2004.
Colvin noted October 30, 2003 is the Downtown Conference.  Colvin is presenting at Conference along with Ted Corbett.
                        Upcoming Meeting
                       September 24, 2003
Attachments
Respectfully Submitted
William B. Colvin
Secretary, HPC
Director of Economic and Community Development
K:\Community Dev\HPC Folder\Minutes\Minutes\2003\091003.wpd