Charlestown Township Historical & Architectural Review Board Great Valley Middle School Minutes of Tuesday, March 15, 2016

TO:	Board of Supervisors; HARB/Historical Commission
FROM:	Ann Kline; Rosemary Philips HARB Members
DATE:	March 15, 2016

HARB met on March 15th, 2016 and these members were present: Sheila Klement; Ann Kline; Nancy Long, Rosemary Philips, John Pittock, Dan Wright and Carol Quigley for Dale Frens. Also attending was Susan Marshall for the Chester County Historic Preservation Network. Members not present were Linda Appler Tom Fillipo, Wendy Leland and Fran Rodgers.

Announcements:

Susan Marshall reported that the Chester County Preservation Workshop has ”Annual Volunteer Recognition Day” at the Downingtown Country Club.

Their website is being updated.

Restoration Architect Report

– Carol Quigley for Dale Frens

• Brightside Farm: The survey of the barn, wagon house and spring house is finished and bids will go out for stabilization and reconstruction. As these are Class II structures, no Keystone grant is possible so work will be bid out.
• Charlestown Woolen Mill: 1) Richard Funzi is finishing up work installing equipment at the mill 2) remaining Mill objects/artifacts stored at Brightside Farm should either be returned to the Mill or dispersed: including random wooden doors and sashes. Decision must be made to keep or donate. 3) None of the textile equipment has survived– a few items will be stored in the loft; 4) The outside around the Mill will be re-landscaped — Ed Theurkauf has been hired by the Township to work on the project and has submitted a preliminary design plan. 5) Drainage problems still exist and Theurkauf will coordinate with Dale Frens on the redesign of the south end parking area nearest the structure; 6) Survey of the inside and outside of the Mill is finished and has been sent to Dale Frens; 7) Millrace will be preserved and repaired.

Annual condition reports on Longwood School and Pickering Dam are being prepared. Dan Wright, Dale Frens and Rob Bebee reviewed the Ice Dam and Mr. Bebee has prepared a memo that will be included in the report.

Township Engineering Report

– Dan Wright:

Following up on a recommendation at the Commission’s last meeting, Dan Wright presented draft plans for two versions of a proposed, parking lot at Charlestown Cemetery: The new parking lot will enter from the Pickering Spur Road and eliminate access from Charlestown Road. Preliminary plans for a parking lot in this location were prepared several years ago but never completed. Access to the cemetery will be through the wall at the back, through a broken section of the wall. An improved path, using paving of gravel or some type of pervious material were discussed. Some repairs to the stone wall surrounding the new access will be needed. The Board feels that first priority is to put in the parking lot. A vote was taken by HARB members in favor of endorsing a plan for the Cemetery’s parking lot and recommending it to the BOS. Dan Wright will present it at the next supervisors meeting.

Historical Markers Project Report

– Ann Kline

Old Business:

None

New Business

Rosemary distributed the updated, list, of historic properties since there were several property transfers in 2015.

An application for demolition and construction at the Blake Caplan House in Charlestown Village has been received at the Township Office. The applicant will be notified of the preliminary hearing- possibly at the May 17th meeting. Nancy Long spoke of concern of possible light and noise pollution on her adjoining property. HARB members will receive copies of the application before the next scheduled meeting.

The next scheduled meeting is on Tuesday, May 17th at the GVMS Guidance Office at 4 p.m.

Meeting was adjourned.