BENNINGTON HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
                   Bennington Town Office Conference Room
                        Wednesday, February 28, 2007
                               MINUTES
MEMBERS PRESENT:  Tordis Ilg Isselhardt,  Laura Gresh, Meg Campbell and Anne Bugbee.
ALSO PRESENT: Beth Antognioni 
EXCUSED: Scott Murphy, Vic Rolando and John Dostal.
1. Minutes of January 17, 2007
Minutes were  accepted as written.
As a follow up to the minutes of January 17, 2007, Tordis questioned the status of obtaining a map for the conference room for HPC members to use as a tool when discussing projects in Bennington.  There was no update as Scott was not in attendance.
Action Item: Beth will ask Scott the status of obtaining a map.  Scott will provide a zoning map for the next meeting.2. DRB - There were no DRB items for review. 
As a follow up to the minutes of January 17, 2007 regarding the former H.W. Putnam Hardware Mfg. building, Meg will be documenting in writing any history of the building and Vic will provide any photographs.  Meg questioned when the demolition of the portion of the late 19th century brick industrial building will be demolished? No known date at this time.
Action Item: Meg will work with Vic on documenting any history on the above mentioned building.
3. Community Meeting Updates - 
Design Committee - Meg reported that the Design Committee will be working with the Chamber of Commerce in coordinating banners promoting sending the Christmas tree to Washington D.C. 
Meg noted that BBC is considering creating a new Marketing Director position for the Downtown.  
Citizens for Greater Bennington
The Environmental Court gave John Levy(Walmart) until May 21 for them to submit their Act 250 application, if it is not submitted by the date mentioned above, they will need to reapply under the new Bylaw.
Planning Commission - Laura brought a copy of the draft proposed Sign Ordinance for HPC to review.   Within the sign ordinance it states: "Historic or architecturally significant sign: A sign included on the inventory of such signs developed by the Bennington Historic Preservation Commission.  It was then suggested since there is no known inventory that HPC develop one. Vic was volunteered, as he was not there, further discussion is needed.
Further Discussion Needed
4. 2007 CLG Grant  
The opening of the RPF is scheduled directly after the next HPC meeting which is scheduled for  3:00 p.m., March 21, 2007.
5. Other Preservation Issues 
Laura attended a wood window repair workshop in Albany which presented custom made storm windows, copies will be provided to the HPC. It was suggested that perhaps in the future Bennington could offer a workshop regarding a window repair workshop/custom made storm windows.
Tordis noted a couple of articles that recently ran in the "Bennington Banner" that did not accurately report information on two historic buildings in Bennington.  Meg suggested Tordis write a letter to the "Bennington Banner" in hopes of not only educating the reporters, but also residents of Bennington on historic preservation.  
Action Item: Tordis will draft a letter and work with Meg on it before sending it off to the "Bennington Banner".
Tordis suggested that Action Items be added to the Minutes.  
Tordis had a concern in regard to the Village Park in North Bennington and wondered whether or not HPC had jurisdiction over preservation issues in North Bennington.  Meg noted that Bill Colvin had indicated that HPC did not have jurisdiction over preservation issues in North Bennington.  Meg asked Beth to check with Scott.
Action Item: Beth will ask Scott if HPC has jurisdiction over preservation issues in North Bennington.  Scott indicated that HPC does not have jurisdiction over preservation issues in North Bennington.          
Tordis indicted the house located at 236 Northside Drive is a building at risk, HPC should  keep an eye on it.  
The Historic Preservation Conference is scheduled to be in Montpelier on May 16, 2007.  
Meg suggested that we order a subscription of the "Alliance Review" newsletter.
Action Item: Beth will speak with Scott on ordering a subscription.
Next Agenda: Meg suggested everyone review "Making Defensible Decisions for further discussion at the next meeting.  It was also suggested that HPC include "Making Defensible Decisions to  "bennington.com" under HPC.
                       Future HPC Meeting Dates
                            March 21, 2007
Respectfully submitted
Beth Antognioni for Scott M. Murphy, Secretary, HPC
Community Development Director
K:\Community Dev\HPC Folder\Minutes\Minutes\2007\022807.wpd