BENNINGTON HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
                  Town Office Conference Room
            Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 3:00 p.m.
                            MINUTES
                    MEMBERS PRESENT:    David Aldrich, Meg Campbell, Tordis Ilg Isselhardt, Victor                     Rolando, John Dostal, and William B. Colvin.
                    ALSO PRESENT:       Ted Corbett (BBC)
                    MEMBERS EXCUSED:    Anne Bugbee, and Sharon Yorke
                    MEMBERS ABSENT:     Hugh Baker
Campbell called the meeting to order at 3:03 p.m.
     1.   Minutes
     3. At Risk Sites & Structures
             Yorke asked Bugbee if she could write a list of buildings of which we have history          on, including street addresses.
     
Rolando moved, Aldrich seconded the Minutes of January 14, 2004 be approved as amended.  Unanimous.
     2.   Plaque Program/Design Assistance Program
Ted Corbett joined HPC to discuss the Design Assistance Program along with ways in which BBC might partner with HPC and where interests overlap.  
Design Assistance Program:
-offers $150 in architectural and design services to all the business and property owners in the Bennington Design Review District.   
-funded by CLG grant money
- Application fee - $25
Corbett then reviewed the "History & Heritage Committee Proposed Work Plan for 2004", (attached).
Focus included - 2.c. Evaluate Signage possibilities and make a plan to implement them/Promote HPC Plaque Program.  
Colvin then discussed the HPC Plaque Program.
-18-20 plaques are located on historic buildings in Town.
-Program has been in place since 1997
-In the past a promotion letter has been sent to Downtown Property owners in the Downtown Design Review District promoting the plaque program. 
-it was suggested to review and update previous promotion letter & "Downtown Historic Plaque Program" flyer.
-most recent plaque cost was $145
-Corbett noted that in Saratoga, Realtors gave these types of plaques as gifts when there was a sale of a historic property.
-Isselhardt and Bugbee will work with the History & Heritage Committee as Task Force Members including the HPC Plaque Program, possibly to include the Walking tours and the Pottery tour.
       3.      HPC Priorities Matrix
HPC Priorities Matrix & Timeline -1- shows original request to block out 3 months at a time, based on what was initially listed on original task list...and also place related educations items together.
HPC Priorities Matrix & Timeline - 2- shows items listed with priorities. 
Priority Timeline - based on original task list with priorities listed.
-Next meeting need to look at "Time & Place"  what type of activities to be included on rfp and scope of work?  What do we want consultant to do with limited resources of grant.  Colvin and Antognioni will start work on the RFP.
            5.     At Risk Sites & Structures
Rolando passed out a sheet including the Introduction of the At-Risk Sites and Structures Survey as well as Filling in the Form.  Commission members should review sheet and decide what action to take. 
               6.   Other Preservation Issues
Campbell discussed that Section 4F of the Transportation Act is in danger.  It has been in place since 1966.  It is coming up next week for discussion.  It is a law that requires federal highways cannot destroy any historic area. Please contact Representatives, Senators & house committee members.  Information will be included in the next Historic Vermont newsletter.  Rolando had some questions on the larger transportation projects regarding the limitations to the Section 4F of the Transportation Act.  Campbell will look into clarifying the issue mentioned above.
Dostal noted that there is a need for voluntary debris clean up of the Old Glastenbury Railroad located on the southwest corner of Depot Street.  There soon will be a plaque located at that site.
Isselhardt noted there will be a public forum on February 12 and February 18, 7-9 p.m. at the Bennington Fire Facility regarding the land use zoning of the former Bijur and Johnson Controls sites.
Meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m.     
                       Upcoming Meetings
                       February 11, 2004
                       February 25, 2004
Respectfully Submitted
William B. Colvin
Secretary, HPC
Director of Economic and Community Development
K:\Community Dev\HPC Folder\Minutes\Minutes\2004\012804.wpd