Cecil County Maryland Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes

4 May 2004

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

Absent: Mike Dixon

Call to Order

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

Chairman Ed Cairns introduced Patricia Folk to the HDC.  Ms. Folk has been appointed to fill the unexpired portion of Jesse Malin's term.

Approval of Minutes

Motion made by Nancy Simpers to approve minutes of March 2004 HDC meeting, seconded by Ron Edwards, all in favor of motion.

Old Business

Chairman Ed Cairns inquired as to the status of the State easement inspections and reviewed assignments from 12/03 meeting.  Patricia Folk will contact Jesse Malin to see if an inspection of the Wallace Carter Mill was performed.  Nancy Simpers stated that she has conducted an inspection of the Fair Hill Inn.  Director Sennstrom indicated that the State would like to have inspections completed by the end of June 2004.  Nancy Simpers informed the HDC that the Fair Hill Inn is not interested in a   nomination for historic designation.  However, three other sites owned by the Cherry Hill Methodist Church are interested in nominating for historic designation.

Chairman Ed Cairns stated that Sally and he researched the Dudkewitz house and the schoolhouse.  The schoolhouse is one of the first schools in the Cecil County school system.  Dudkewitz is thinking about designation.  Chairman Ed Cairns stated that Jackson Hall is only one room schoolhouse in County that still resembles a one room schoolhouse.  Nancy Simpers added that there is a one room schoolhouse on Little New York Road.  Audrey Edwards mentioned Center School is a one room schoolhouse.  Chairman Ed Cairns stated that DNR is allowing buildings in Fair Hill to deteriorate and is replacing them with new structures.  Nancy Simpers stated that the department is in flux and that there is budgetary uncertainty.  Audrey Edwards indicated that the Reynolds house may be interested in nominating for historic designation.  Chairman Ed Cairns stated it is important to remind people that the County's designation affords a 10% tax credit and protection in perpetuity. 

New Business

The HDC did not have any new business.

General Discussion

Audrey Edwards questioned if anybody attended the State historic preservation conference.  Chairman Ed Cairns said that every other year would be sufficient.  Ron Edwards agreed and said there are nuggets of information to be obtained on an occasional basis.  Patricia Folk questioned as to when the conferences are held.  Audrey Edwards stated usually in April.  Nancy Simpers stated that H. Barry Montgomery is not interested in nominating the Gilpin House for historic designation.  Patricia Folk indicated that she will speak with him about this issue.  Audrey Edwards stated that University of Delaware graduate students can document history of house. 

Meeting adjourned at 3:27 p.m.