Cecil County Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes

7 December 2004

Present: Cairns, Ed & Sally; Dixon, Mike; Folk, Patricia; Sennstrom, Eric

Absent: Edwards, Ron & Audrey; Simpers, Nancy

Call to Order

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

Approval of Minutes

Motion made by Patricia Folk to approve minutes from October meeting, motion seconded by Mike Dixon, all in favor.

New Business

Chairman Ed Cairns inquired as to whether any applications for nomination have been received.  Director Sennstrom stated none had been received.  Chairman Ed Cairns referenced article in Cecil Whig regarding the covered bridge and the article in the Baltimore Sun regarding the Fix Up/Stay In program for older dwellings.   Chairman Ed Cairns also presented a letter from the Kent County Historical Society regarding a group tour of the Maryland Historical Society's office in Baltimore on 12 January 2005.  The cost to attend is $30-34 depending on attendance.

Old Business

Chairman Ed Cairns reviewed the new brochure format with HDC members present and summarized his prototype.  The bifold format is his favorite, it will stand out from others, this design lends itself to a perforated approach to permit a mail in portion for those interested in the program.  Additionally, chairman Ed Cairns stated that a picture can be placed on one side.  Sally Cairns suggested using a photograph of one of the designated structures.  Mike Dixon and Patricia Folk agreed.  Patricia Folk asked if the photograph would be in color and whether a collage could be used.  Mike Dixon opined that a collage would be a good way to go and if done in color it would make the brochure a splashy, attractive stand-out.  Director Sennstrom stated that he would present the brochure to printers for quotes upon receipt of the photographs that the HDC wished to use.  Patricia Folk stated that it is good to emphasize other things eligible for designation.  Chairman Ed Cairns would like to have a map with photographs of the designated sites to use at a seminar.  Chairman Ed Cairns stated that the HDC should plan for a seminar in the spring.  Patricia Folk posited that late January '05 or early February '05 would be better.  Sally Cairns agreed.  Mike Dixon queried the HDC as to the seminar's content.  Chairman Ed Cairns stated that there should be a presentation on the program emphasizing historic preservation and talk about designated sites.  The presentation should stress why historic preservation is important, what does it mean, stay positive.  Invitations should be sent to invite attendees to a ½ day seminar on a Saturday.  HDC discussed possible locations such as the Elkton Library, the Elkton Station and Elkton Town Hall.  Sally Cairns suggested picking a date.  Mike Dixon suggested picking a theme like "Preserving Our Legacy".  Patricia Folk suggested starting the meeting with a speaker talking for a half hour.  Sally Cairns suggested either 2/22/05 or 2/15/05 as potential dates.  MHT speakers are free.  Sally Cairns will contact MHT, Patricia Folk will contact Pat Wollen, Mike Dixon will contact Mark Clark.  Mike Dixon suggested having vendors pay for display space to cover cost of speaker.

Meeting adjourned at 3:35 p.m.

Next Meeting: 4 January 2005, 3:00 p.m., P&Z Conference Room

Respectfully Submitted:

Eric S. Sennstrom, AICP
Director
Planning, Zoning, Parks & Recreation