Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes

3 December 2002

Present: Cairns, Ed & Sally; Dixon, Mike; Edwards, Ron & Audrey; Malin, Jesse; Sennstrom, Eric

Absent: Pugh, Mike

Call to Order

Chairman Ed Cairns called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.

Approval of Minutes

Motion made by Sally Cairns to approve minutes from 11/6/02 meeting.  Seconded by Jesse Malin.  HDC voted to unanimously approve November meeting minutes.

New Business

Ed Cairns presented a summary of the meeting between himself, Director Sennstrom and Elizabeth Tune from the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) regarding inspections of properties that are subject to a MHT easement.  Director Sennstrom stated that this requirement is one of the strings associated with accepting MHT grant money.  We are expected to do the easement inspections for the State.  He stated that Ms. Tune gave Chairman Cairns and himself a briefing on those properties presently subject to an easement and the easement inspection form as well as tips on how to conduct an inspection.  Ms. Tune will follow up with a training session for the HDC in order to prepare them for the inspections.  Ron Edwards stated that the HDC would be the ideal group to do the inspections.  Chairman Ed Cairns concurred and asked Director Sennstrom to contact Ms. Tune to ensure that she follows up with the training session.

Pre-applications

Clendenin-Freeman Farm - Director Sennstrom reported that this property submitted a pre-application and summarized the content.  Chairman Ed Cairns queried if the property is on any registers?  Audrey Edwards stated it is on the State register but it does not have an easement.  Sally Cairns stated that the nomination form should be sent.  HDC agreed to send nomination form.

Octoraro Farm - Director Sennstrom stated that a pre-application was received from this property.  However, he indicated that the property has already received local designation January of 2002.

Nevin-Orr House - Director Sennstrom stated that a pre-application was received for this property and summarized the application's content.  Audrey Edwards stated that she and Ron Edwards will do an inspection to determine if a nomination form should be sent.

Nomination for Historic Designation
 
Wherry-Jordan-Logan-Schwer House: Director Sennstrom presented a summary of the application's content as follows.  The house was erected circa 1750.  Items of architectural significance include a split level design built into the hillside that permits ground level entry at both floors, 24" thick fieldstone walls, original pine flooring on 2nd and 3rd floors, original staircase to attic, original doors and hardware, original oak roof framing, two end chimneys with one possessing a colonial fireplace, several original pegged window frames remain, original kitchen, original shutters, original lime coating remains throughout beams and planking, roof has a box cornice.  Historical significance include that the house was once occupied by Ebenezer Wherry, a descendant of Revolutionary War hero David Wherry.  The HDC perused the nomination form and associated photographs.  Motion made by Sally Cairns to recommend designation, seconded by Jesse Malin,  HDC voted unanimously to recommend historic designation.

Chairman Ed Cairns provided copies of letters he has drafted to send to potential nominees.  One letter is to discourage participation and/or solicit additional information.  The other is to encourage nomination.  Chairman Cairns presented a summary of both letters and his reasoning behind each.  Ron Edwards noted that often the architectural importance of the interior is greater than that of the exterior.  This is particularly important when an attempt is made to ascertain the age of a structure.  The interior provides more clues as to the period when it may have originally been erected.  Audrey Edwards added that the exteriors often have additions built over the years that mask the original structure.  Chairman Ed Cairns stated this would be true in the situation with the McKeown House and his letter asking for more information would apply in these situations.

Old Business
 
Chairman Ed Cairns inquired as to whether Director Sennstrom spoke to Robert Murray about the Log House.  Director Sennstrom indicated in the affirmative and provided elucidation on their discussion.  Chairman Ed Cairns stated that the log portion is still in reasonably good shape.

Ron Edwards presented findings on the inspection of the pre-application received from the England Family Farm. The exterior of the house is misleading due to the aluminum siding.  There is no exterior indication of age.  The original section was built ca. 1785 with additions added in the 1860's.  The fireplaces give a clue to the age, the front section of the house is completely log.  Audrey Edwards commented on the setting of the dwelling on a knoll with England family members surrounding.  Chairman Ed Cairns questioned on whether a nomination form should be sent?  Ron Edwards answered that most indubitably should a form be sent.

Audrey Edwards presented findings on the inspection of the Brown farm pre-application.  The current owners have resided therein since the 1980's.  A summary of the dwelling's historic attributes followed.  Original dwelling may be from 1780's, but nothing is left.  Most of the house is Victorian.  Both Ron & Audrey Edwards recommend that the nomination form be sent.

Ron Edwards presenting findings on the Fell Manor pre-application inspection.  They could not gain access to the interior so additional information is needed.

Jesse Malin presented his findings on the Schwer House and the Lombard Store.  The owners of the Lombard Store are reluctant to nominate at this time.  The building was formerly used as a store and a post office.

Chairman Ed Cairns presented findings on the Schoolhouse pre-application.  There is not much of the original structure left after years of renovation.  A letter will be sent discouraging nomination.

Chairman Ed Cairns presented findings on the pre-application for Morgan's Hall.  The structure is built around a log cabin. The building is in terrible condition.  It has potential but the age is unknown.  Ron Edwards stated that if the age was known, it would help in the evaluation of the application.  HDC consensus was to hold off on application for now.

Ron Edwards asked about the local property tax credit for locally designated structures.  Discussion ensued regarding mechanics of credit.

Chairman Ed Cairns declared the meeting adjourned at 4:17 p.m.