BENNINGTON HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
           Bennington Town Office Conference Room
                Wednesday, November 15, 2006
                          MINUTES
  MEMBERS PRESENT: Victor Rolando, Laura Gresh, Meg Campbell,   Tordis Ilg Isselhardt, Anne Bugbee, John Dostal, and Scott Murphy.
       1.   Minutes of October 25, 2006
  Minutes were accepted as written.               
     2.   DRB – there were no DRB items for review.
     3.     Community Meeting Updates
  Select Board – Scott Murphy – The proposed CLG grant was approved at   the Select Board meeting on November 13, 2006.  This CLG grant will expand   the National Register District to the outer boundaries which would include   the Central Business District and the Historic Central Bennington Design   Review District.  Meg, Scott and Laura worked on the CLG grant proposal,   Scott gave credit to Laura for the work she did on the proposal.  Scott also   reported that the 1st exit (Shaftsbury exit) on Route 7 will be closed the   first week in December.  Traffic will be redirected to Route 7A, the railroad   trestle will need to be removed.  Vic will take photos of the trestle.
  Planning Commission – Meg Campbell – reported that the Planning Commission   is proposing a new sign ordinance that is targeted to businesses on   Northside Drive.
  Design Committee - Meg Campbell – The Chamber of Commerce is applying   for grant money to fund the lighting of the trees in Downtown Bennington.    Bennington will supply a Christmas tree for the Capital in 2007.
  ARP & DRB– Vic Rolando attended ARP and Vic and Tordis attended DRB–   The ARP discussed the Sprint Nextel signage, ARP recommended approval   with the stipulation that all the other signs be removed before the new signs   are hung, also, DRB recommended that no signs be closer than 12' to the   window inside the building.
  ARP discussed some concerns regarding the lighting and depth of the Getty   sign, at the DRB the applicant stated that the sign would be 4'x4' and would   have two light fixtures, and if the sign was too bright they would lower the   wattage of the bulbs, DRB approved, but the applicant must meet the   lighting requirements.  The Heritage Family Credit Union was seeking   design plan approval for a new drive-up ATM facility, ARP had no concerns,   DRB approved the application as presented. The China Wok was seeking   development plan and design plan approval at the DRB for an addition to an   existing restaurant. Vic inquired if there would be any excavation for this   project, Mike McDonough stated the excavation would only be 5' in depth.    DRB approved the application. At the DRB, Applejack Foundation was   seeking development plan approval for a Baseball Facility at lower Willow   Park .  Vic expressed his concern regarding the flood and excavation plan,   Jim Secor addressed these concerns.  The hearing was closed and will be   discussed in Deliberative Session.
                                               
      4. Other Preservation Issues – 
  Vic Reported that Nancy Boone from the Historic Preservation Division will   be coming down on December 13 to look at the Mosley Bridge.  They will   consider whether or not the bridge is a good candidate for the adaptive   reuse program.  Rolando spoke with Pat Kinney, Highway Superintendent   regarding the bridge, they discussed and agreed to the Highway Department   lifting the bridge up and placing it on pallets.
  Anne noted that the building between CAT TV and the Baptist Church will be   taken down for a parking lot, Vic will take a picture of the building for our   files.
  Tordis noted that there was no one from our commission that attended any   Historic Preservation Conference/Training.  Meg mentioned that the future   of a HPC conference will be a roundable discussion on November 22.  Tordis   also mentioned that we should allow for attendance at the next conference   or any CLG training/inservice training/ other interest.
  John questioned if there was any update to the Skate Board Park, there was   no update at this time.
  Tordis questioned whether or not there was anything HPC could do for the   Catamount School as it is an At-Risk site.  At this time it is unanswered.
  Scott mentioned that the Jard building on Bowen Road would be demolished   within a few days.
  Beth shared that she spoke with Pat Kinney Highway Superintendent   regarding cleaning up the Village cemetery, there is $8,000 budgeted to   clean up the cemetery and $2,000 would be used to repair fencing.  Anne   indicated if possible, the Old section should be taken care of first.
  Tordis and Vic will be unable to attend the next HPC meeting  scheduled for   November 29, 2006.
                  Future HPC Meeting Dates
                        November 29
                  December 13, December 27
                   January 10, January 24
  Respectfully submitted
  Scott Murphy, Secretary, HPC
  Community Development Director
  K:\Community Dev\HPC Folder\Minutes\Minutes\2006\20061115.doc