Cecil County Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes

4 January 2005

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

Absent: N/A

Call to Order

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

Approval of Minutes

Motion made by Nancy Simpers to approve minutes of December 2004 meeting with the correct spelling of James Wollon's name and the correct date (2/26/05) for the HDC workshop.  Seconded by Patricia Folk.  All in favor of motion.

New Business

Chairman Ed Cairns stated that the HDC has received a nomination for historic designation from the "Onion Bed".  David Holsten, the owner, spoke about the property and the history of settlement thereon.  Mr. Holsten provided the HDC with a summary of the property's layout, its associated outbuildings, and property lines.  He continued that the property has been in his wife's family since 1783. The dwelling has had updates and expansions over the years.  Mr. Holsten suspects the original dwelling was erected in 1726 on Nottingham Lot 35.  Andrew Jobe deeded 200 acres of the lot to his son.  John White lived on the property in 1758, Jacob Reynolds payed taxes on a house at this location in 1783.  Patricia Folk queried as to why it is called the "Onion Bed"?  Audrey Edwards stated that the Holstens are lucky to reside in a dwelling that their ancestors lived in.  Chairman Ed Cairns inquired as to whether the dwelling and structures are on the east or west side of Blue Ball Road? Mr. Holsten answered that the house is on the east side and accessory buildings are on the west side.  Audrey Edwards asked about the Jobe's indentured servant.  Director Sennstrom will do a public notice for HDC, Planning Commission, and County Commissioner meetings on this nomination.

Nancy Simpers submitted a nomination for historic designation on the Cherry Hill United Methodist Church.  Audrey Edwards stated that she will be providing a nomination for historic designation on the West Nottingham Friends Meeting House.

Old Business

Chairman Ed Cairns provided a summary of previous consensus on the HDC's brochure.  Director Sennstrom stated that solicitations for quotes to print the bi-fold, perforated color brochure with photographic collage have been sent to five printers with a request to respond by 1/14/05.  Chairman Ed Cairns stated that the Elkton library has been reserved for the HDC's workshop from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m on Saturday, 26 February 2005.  Chairman Ed Cairns summarized the Library's rules for the room rental.  The HDC discussed the workshop format and agenda.  Patricia Folk stated that James Wollon will speak for free on the Department of the Interior's standards for historic properties.  His presentation will last approximately 45 minutes with an additional 15 minutes for questions at the end.  Mike Dixon stated that Mark Clark has declined an invitation to participate.  Sally Cairns stated that Nicole Diehlman has stated that she will attend.  Audrey Edwards stated that Catherine Masek, an architectural paint specialist and expert in field, will attend.  Mike Dixon suggested having designees give testimonials about why they opted to nominate their properties for historic designation.  Ron Edwards said that Chairman Ed Cairns should give a presentation on the HDC.  Agenda format discussed was as follows: 9:00 - 9:30 a.m. Registration; 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Keynote address; 10:30 -11:00 a.m. Testimonials from two designees; 11:00 - 11:30 a.m. Chairman Ed Cairns presentation; 11:30 - conclusion meet and greet.  Audrey Edwards queried as to whether Johns Hopkins would be available.  Chairman Ed Cairns asked if Ron & Audrey Edwards could get crafts people to attend?  Audrey Edwards said that Jim Groff attended the last meeting.  Sally Cairns suggested Ross Gibson.  Chairman Ed Cairns said that 3 or 4 would be nice.  Sally Cairns suggested an invitation be sent to Preservation Maryland. Mike Dixon said that inviting Preservation Maryland is a good opportunity.  Sally Cairns will contact Maryland Historic Trust and Preservation Maryland.  Ron & Audrey Edwards will contact booth people.  Chairman Ed Cairns selected Nancy Simpers and Patricia Folk to work on publicity.  Mike Dixon will prepare press release to send to newspapers.  Patricia Folk stated that the testimonials should be limited to 15 minutes each.  Audrey Edwards will contact Darlene McCall about providing comments on researching land records.  Audrey Edwards notified the HDC that Preservation Delaware has an article regarding the remnants of a canal on a Glasgow farm that was intended to connect the Elk and Christina Rivers.  The farm also contains the remains of Indian villages.  Mike Dixon said that portions of this canal can be seen off of Feeder Road in Cecil County.

Adjournment: Meeting was adjourned at 4:10 p.m.

Next Meeting: 1 February 2005, 3:00 p.m., Planning & Zoning Conference Room

Respectfully Submitted:

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