Cecil County Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes

4 November 2003

Present: Cairns, Ed & Sally; Dixon, Mike; Edwards, Ron & Audrey; Simpers, Nancy; Sennstrom, Eric; Tune, Elizabeth

Call to Order

Chairman Ed Cairns called the meeting to order at 12:05 p.m.

State Easement Inspections: Elizabeth Tune from the Maryland Historic Trust (MHT) presented information to the HDC in an effort to train them to do MHT easement inspection.  The inspections are a requirement of the Preservation Incentives for Local Government (PILG) grant the County received.  The PILG program has not been allocated funding in future budgets.  Ms. Tune explained that the MHT has 525 easements statewide, 18 of those are in Cecil County.  The MHT averages 20 new easements per year.  The most common method of easement establishment by MHT is through donations for rehabilitation grants and when property transfer from public to private ownership.  The first MHT easement was established in 1969.  Ms. Tune provided elucidation on the method and requirements for an easement inspection.  Two inspectors are optimal, photographs of  each building elevation should be taken, problem areas should be documented, out buildings should be reported, and questionable work and bad conditions should be reported to MHT with alacrity. 

The HDC transited to the Elk Landing historic site for a field demonstration of the easement inspection process.  After reviewing the exterior of the Hollingsworth House, the HDC perambulated through the interior.  Ms. Tune provided edification on performing an interior inspection.  The HDC returned to the Courthouse and discussed the PILG requirements.

Chairman Ed Cairns adjourned the meeting at 3:05 p.m.

Next meeting: Tuesday, 2 December 2003 at 3:00 p.m. in the Planning & Zoning conference room.