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CHARLESTOWN TOWNSHIP HISTORICAL COMMISSION/HARB MINUTES
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Welcome
Newly appointed township supervisor Lou Rubinfield met the members of the Historical Commission/HARB and was made welcome.
Reorganization
Mr. Wright moved to nominate Melissa Dicranian as chair for 2024 and Mr. Stevens seconded. All were in favor.
The meeting schedule will continue with meeting semi-monthly (Jan-Mar-May-Jul-Sep-Nov) on the third Wednesday of the month at 1 pm at the Township Office.
Minutes
Ms. Dicranian moved to approve the November 15th minutes, and Mr. Stevens seconded. All were in favor.
Old Business
Updating the Historic Resource property list and map
Ms. Dicranian said the list of potential additions to the Historic Resource list were sent to Jane Dorchester in November and that Ms. Dicranian provided a proposal to research them for recommendation on inclusion in an updated list and map. Ms. Dicranian thought the price was high and could be lowered by not including an overlay of structures on the map.
Mrs. Philips said the Supervisors would need to approve the updates, then Tom Comitta Associates would update the map. Mr. Stevens asked how often the map was updated, and Mrs. Philips said this was the first time since it was originally adopted, other than noting any historic structures that had been demolished. This review came about as a result of the work Jane Dorchester did on the atlas project where she noted properties that should be reviewed. Ms. Dicranian mentioned 69 Hillsover Lane, now owned by the Doughertys, as a recent example of how the HARB works with historic resource property owners.
2025 Calendar
Mr. Stevens and Ms. Dicranian met with Tina Stonorov to review photos of her father Oscar Stonorov, and also met with John Pittock at the Rapp House to review photos on file there that may be suitable for the calendar.
Mr. Stevens reached out to printers for the cost of printing 250 calendars. One online company, The Calendar Company, can do them for $5.38 each, including templates, for a total of $1,345.00. They would sell for $15.00 dollars each. For mailing, there would be a postage & handling fee, and he offered to handle those orders. Mr. Stevens said new photos may be needed because of the requirement for higher resolution. The calendar price is low because the lower half is a standard calendar with no reference to local township or school events. Ms. Csete suggested including a separate schedule that could be inserted in the back of the calendar.
Mrs. Philips said Aliena Gerhard had a great number of photos when she was Open Space Director in the early 2000’s that may be suitable.
Notecards
Some discussion was held on also having notecards printed. Since this project isn’t time sensitive, it was thought the focus would start with the calendars. Subjects for the notecards, such as featuring springhouses or another historic feature, could be considered. Mrs. Philips said one year the Historical Society featured notecards with local artworks. Residents would be consulted before publishing photos that display their property.
PA 250 Events
Ms. Dicranian said that upon reviewing what it would take to participate in the county’s PA 250 program, it won’t be possible for the Township to be involved.
Open House at Charlestown Mill
The members discussed planning an Open House at the Charlestown Mill and are looking at a joint effort with the Memorial Day program hosted by Parks & Rec. Since the cemetery is close to the Mill, the Memorial program visitors could stop by the Mill afterward for morning refreshments. Ms. Dicranian will ask Nancy Long if she could coordinate a shuttle service to leave from the Methodist Church overflow parking lot as there isn’t sufficient parking at the Mill. A portable unit may also be provided. Arrangements will have to be made to clean the mill prior to the event.
Update on Swiss Pines
Mrs. Philips read portions of the manager’s email to her regarding an update on Swiss Pines, which stated that most focus to date was working with the tenants’ houses and handling general maintenance issues. The Supervisors will be deciding how they want to move forward.
Mrs. Philips said the HARB should be involved as it has supervisory oversight of the historic resources within Swiss Pines and will make recommendations for changes to any structures. She also noted that most of the property acquired by the Township is under conservation easement with the French & Pickering Creeks Trust, so they should likewise be involved.
Outside of Swiss Pines itself, Mrs. Philips mentioned the Peak House, Henriette Bumeder’s former home on Peaks Pike, which is a historic resource.
Ms. Quigley will update the previous Swiss Pines assessment report for a future Board of Supervisors’ agenda where the HARB will communicate their interest in being involved with Swiss Pines matters going forward.
Mr. Wright will contact Matthew Aspokardu, who has possession of Swiss Pines files given to him by a former Bartschi Foundation Trustee, that the Township would like to recover.
Article for Newsletter
Mr. Stevens offered to write an article for an upcoming newsletter. Since the subject isn’t time sensitive, it may be included in either the spring or summer newsletter, depending on space available.
New Business
Iron & Steel Heritage Partnership Meeting
Ms. Dicranian said she would try to attend the meeting scheduled for tomorrow.
Recognizing Dale Frens
Mrs. Philips requested and recommended that the Township send a letter of recognition to Dale Frens for his involvement with the Township for many years, plus his membership on the HARB, before these positions were transferred to Ms. Quigley for 2024. Ms. Quigley said Mr. Frens will remain available to Charlestown as both of them work together at Patterhrn Ives.
Adjournment at 2:03 p.m.
Linda M. Csete