BENNINGTON HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
    Bennington Town Office - Conference Room - July 11, 2007
                     July 11, 2007 MINUTES
MEMBERS PRESENT:  Tordis Ilg Isselhardt, Anne Bugbee,  Meg Campbell, Scott Murphy and Laura Gresh.
ALSO PRESENT: Beth Antognioni, Paula Sagerman, Historic Preservation Consultant, Skip Thomayer Town of Bennington, IT Specialist. 
1. Minutes of June 26, 2007
Minutes were approved as written. 
2. 2007 CLG Grant Discussion
Paula Sagerman, Historic Preservation Consultant joined HPC for an initial discussion on the 2007 CLG Grant - Expanding the National Register District in Downtown Bennington.  The following three items were agreed upon between HPC and Paula. 
1:     Update existing District.
2:     Expansion will include  East Main Street to the boundary of the Downtown Improvement District        approximately to Valentine Street.
3:     Prepare a brief description concerning future expansion  within the Historic Central Bennington   Design Review District.
Paula suggested inviting Suzanne Jamele, National Register Specialist/Vermont Division for Historic Preservation to come to Bennington for a site visit on the proposed changes to the District.  Suzanne will meet with HPC August 1, 2007 at 11:00 a.m.
3. Website Discussion
Skip Thomayer, Town of Bennington IT Specialist joined HPC to discuss www.bennington.com.  Skip noted that the host is based in CA.  Recent changes that have been done to the website have been completed by Jonah from Spectrum Design.  Skip suggested HPC look at the Town Clerk's area of www.bennington.com, they have just recently updated their site.  HPC discussed perhaps having 4 pages
with information.  Meg will have an initial conservation with Jonah to see what is needed regarding adding HPC pages to the Town's website. 
4. DRB - There were no items for review.
5. Community Meeting Updates
Scott noted that BBC will be having a roundtable discussion on the Parking situation in downtown.
Christmas in July will begin with lighting of the buildings in downtown, July 18, 2007 and run until Christmas in promoting the Christmas Tree that is going to the Capital from Bennington County.
6. Other Preservation Issues
Meg questioned whether or not the Town received "The National Alliance Review", and was wondering if the Town would purchase a membership for HPC.  Scott will look into a membership.  Meg also requested that Beth send a copy of "Time and Place" to the "The National Alliance Review".
Todis noted that the Old Harte Theater vacant lot had previously been purchased and just wanted to make note of that and that HPC should be keep in their mind that it could be at risk.
Additional comments/suggestions were made to the HPC Application Checklist.  HPC agreed on the changes suggested and Meg will email Dan Monks the application with HPC to review in 6 months.
     
                       Next Meeting Dates
          Tuesday, July 31, 2007 - 2:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
      Wednesday, August 1, 2007 - 11:00 - 12:00 Site Visit
       Wednesday, August 29, 2007 - 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Submitted,
Scott M. Murphy, Secretary, HPC
Community Development Director
K:\Community Dev\HPC Folder\Minutes\Minutes\2007\071107.wpd