Cecil County Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes

2 March 2004

Present: Cairns, Ed & Sally; Edwards, Ron & Audrey; Simpers, Nancy; Sennstrom, Eric

Absent: Dixon, Mike

Call to Order

Chairman Ed Cairns called the meeting to order at 3:05 p.m.

Approval Of Minutes

Motion made by Nancy Simpers to approve the minutes of the January 2004 meeting.  Seconded by Ron Edwards.  HDC voted unanimously to approve January 2004 meeting minutes.  (The February meeting was cancelled)

Old Business

Chairman Ed Cairns read Jesse Malin's letter resigning his position on the HDC.  Discussion ensued regarding the vacancy on the HDC and potential replacements.  Sally Cairns stated that it would be nice to have representation from the 1st Election District.  Director Sennstrom stated that the Board of County Commissioners has been advised of Mr. Malin's resignation, but have not yet appointed a replacement.  Ron Edwards suggested that the HDC begin meeting on a bi-monthly basis.  This may make it more attractive to potential new members.  Mr. Edwards suggested extra meetings could be held on an as needed basis.  Chairman Ed Cairns stated that Sally and he had received their letter of re-appointment from the Board of County Commissioners.

New Business

Chairman Ed Cairns stated that he would like to propose that the HDC fill out nomination forms for historic properties and take them to the property owners to ask their permission to nominate the property and to have them sign the form.  Audrey Edwards stated that she visited Jean Crawford at Christmas and was told that Mrs. Crawford is still interested in nominating her property, but it has not been a priority.  Ron Edwards opined that face to face meetings with potential nominators are important.  Chairman Ed Cairns stated that Jackson Hall School, Rose Hill, and the Dudkewitz place in Cowentown need to be designated.  Audrey Edwards stated that the Harris House in Harrisville needs designation along with the village of Colora.  The HDC is in favor of actively contacting potential nominees.  Sally Cairns asked about article in Cecil Whig?  Nancy Simpers will take nomination form to Fair Hill Inn and to Harlan Williams for house on Telegraph Road proposed to be demolished as part of the proposed Aston Pointe subdivision.  Chairman Ed Cairns will take nomination form to Jackson Hall School and house.  Ron & Audrey Edwards were approached at the library about protecting the school.  Audrey Edwards will take nomination form to Reynolds House, Harris House, Hilltop House, Rowe House, Glessner House and Dallas Green.  Sally Cairns stated that it would be nice to receive a nomination from the house across from the Hilltop Inn.

The HDC reported that they have not done any easement inspections for the State.  Discussion ensued regarding loopholes in federal designation, and counter productive positions taken by State bureaucracies regarding preservation efforts.

Meeting adjourned at 3:55 p.m.

Next meeting:  Tuesday, 6 April 2004, 3:00 p.m., P&Z conference room