SCHUYLKILL TOWNSHIP
HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MEETING DATE: January 21, 2008

COMMISSION MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE:
Sandy Momyer, Joanne Brown,  Doug White, Khalil, Hihi,  Pam Applegate-Frasch.
OTHER ATTENDEES:  Lee Ledbetter, Barbara Cohen

Sandy opened the meeting at 7:07 due to issues with the alarm at the Township Building

REORGANIZATION MEETING:

  • Joanne to stay for a new Term
  • Sandy has contacted 3 individuals who may be interested in becoming members of the HC:  Ed Wimble, David Kiefer, Nich O'Donnell.  All 3 have been invited to attend a future meeting.
  • Election of Officers
    • Chair:  Sandy Momyer has been elected
    • Vice Chair:  Dianne Cram has been elected
    • Secretary:  Pam Applegate-Frasch has been elected
    • Treasurer:  Will wait until more members are on HC.
    • Sandy will provide list of officers to the Township Office.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

  • Minutes approved.
  • Add Barbara Cohen to minutes e-mails.

CORRESPONDENCE & ANNOUNCEMENTS                     

  • Richard Huey in attendance.  Discussed local history with residents on a recent Friday.  Lives at Ferry Lane and Rt 23 (Originally called Suplees Corner).  Joanne brought info regarding the area for our files.  Mr. Huey was invited to join our commission but declined.
  • Sunshine Laws state that we can have workshops without public notice if no quorum is present.
  • Ethics state that members should support the majority decision of the Commission.  Commission should speak as a unified voice.
  • Barbara Cohen is our new liaison to the Board of Supervisors.

REPORTS:

  • Board of Supervisors :
    • Budget passed   Of interest to the HC:
      • $4850 + $150 petty cash in HC budget
      • $5000 for ticket booth
      • $1000 for Anderson Cemetery
      • $8000 for Schuylkill School roof (looking for additional funds from grants
      • $50,000 for pond restoration (looking for additional funds from grants)
  • Planning Commission:
    • Reeves property discussed (see below)
  • EAC:
    • No update
  • Open Space Commission:
    • No update

CURRENT PROJECTS

  • Anderson Cemetery - tree damage bids
    • Tree that was overhanging cemetery came down on its own.
    • No damage to markers or plaque
    • Some damage to wall
    • Tree has been removed
    • Insurance to cover wall repair - need 3 bids
    • Dianne and Doug to get bids to Mary
  • Ticket Booth
    • Bud Emig - part of volunteer crew addressed the HC
      • Reviewed the architect's plan.  (~$10,000) and feels it is thorough.
      • Can put out to bid with scope of work
      • Can also help with contract
      • Will speak with Bob regarding plan for volunteers.
    • Sandy will put Dianne in touch with Bud
    • Doug will also speak with Bud
    • Together Will come up with a plan for bids.
    • Should consider composite roof (to look like slate).  Much less expensive and can update to slate at a later time if budget permits.
    • Barbara is implementing a feasibility study with Gilmore and Assoc regarding trails.  Ma be able to tie historic preservation in to trail development.  Township would have a better chance of getting grant $ for the trail if historic preservation element included.  Could link Schuylkill School and Ticket Booth to trails. 
    • Interior may need to be heated once it is finished in order to maintain.

SCHUYLKILL PROPERTIES:.

  • Sedgley Property (Reeves)
    • Pohlig was at Planning Commission.  Will come to HC in Feb with updated plan.
  • West Bridge Street
      • Photos given to Dianne.
  • Schuylkill School
    • Barbara Cohen provided an update
      • Sandy and Barbara met to review the letter of intent and term sheet from the School Board.  Copy has been given to our records.
      • Barbara met with School Board rep after she and sandy reviewed the documents to try to develop a concensus for saving the building.
      • Mar 1, 2008 to Feb 28, 2009:  to created adaptive re-use interior (plans, cost, grants approved).  Green building restoration rather than historic restoration.
      • Barbara to attend building and grounds meetings monthly to update.
      • Need  graphic resources to attach to grants (now vs what it will look like)
      • Barbara and representative from School Board to set up specific timelines and milestones for work and projects.
      • Term sheet indicates:  If Schuylkill Township cannot meet the timelines, the Township will immediately issue a demolition permit.
        • Concern among the HC members that the School Board will ensure that we do not meet the timelines.
        • Barbara feels we must do something to get the ball rolling and establish a partnership.
        • Sandy indicated that the longer we wait, the worse the building deteriorates.
        • Both Board of Supervisors and School Board have yet to approve the term sheet.

HISTORIC PROJECTS:.

  • GIS
    • Khalil distributed an updated list.  We have new properties to add to the 1981 survey.
      • Need to rank properties.  Main criteria was date built.
      • Members are to look at this list and determine what we can remove for next month's meeting.
      • Khalil will bring additional property lists to next month's meeting.
    • There is a GIS workshop in KOP on 22-Feb.  Cost is $399.  Motion to approve expenditure for Khalil to attend was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

  • Anderson Farm
    • Realtor is in negotiations with property owners.  Property may not need to be sold.  Would like to hold off on photos for now.  Realtor will provide photos already taken to us.
  • Russ Yerkes
    • Sandy requested that he come to speak with us regarding his needs and processes.  Waiting for response.
    • Properties that we have requested he look at:
      • Eisner Property
        • Barbara offered to speak to the Eisners informally
        • Pam will ask Dianne to call Barbara to discuss her concerns about condition of the building.
        • Khalil had some photos on the computer at the meeting which he shared with Barbara.
      • S. Whitehorse Rd (next to Twin Bays)
      • Country Club and Route 23 (Sears house.  Not abandoned)

NEW BUSINESS

  • St. John's Luthern Church
    • Holding an event to honor people who support the community
    • Speaker will discuss revitalizing communities.
  • 29-Jan in Center City
    • Preservation of PECO historic buildings.  Contact Barbara if interested
  • CCHS
    • free admission to library for HC members.  Free passes to the museum are provided for our use as well.  Contact Sandy
  • Founders Day 2008
    • To be held 08-Nov
    • Possible Honorees:  Taylor Rental for their renovation of site.
    • Announce updated resource list if done
    • Hold at Moore Hall?  Sandy to approach owners.
  • Web site has not been updated for 2008.  Meetings are not listed.  Barbara will follow up with Mary.  Lee suggested including a "house of the month" on the site.

Meeting adjourned at 8:45.
Next meeting will be 18-Feb-2008
    Meeting to begin at 7:00

Submitted by:
Pamela Applegate-Frasch