Historic District Commission Minutes - 2024-04-11

Historic District Commission Meeting Minutes April 11, 2024 Eureka Community Center, 6:00pm

Meeting called to order 6:02 pm Quorum established

II. In attendance

Present Lois Kilby-Chesley, Chair Emily Alexander, Secretary David McLellan Candace DeCsipkes Paula Erdmann-Purdy Sandra Hilton, Alternate

No guests

III. Approve Minutes

Motion to approve minutes Seconded All in favor

Sandra Hilton, Paula Erdmann-Purdy and CandaceDeCsipkes abstain

IV. Information and Reports (no vote necessary) Discussion about the yes vote on the Union Church to transfer and town meeting

a. Recap On warrant 17, 27, 28

$31,000 got transferred out of Restoration Fund

Solar panel vote brings into consideration as it relates to Durham’s registered historic buildings

b. Public Relations Pamphlet Town has a supply of brochures

Update: staggering terms Emily Alexander's paperwork was not sent to Selectboard because of a new reappointment procedure

Two members for 2025 Two members for 2026 Two members for 2027 (Emily and Candace will reapply)

V. Continuing Business

a. Plan a path to achieving our approved goals as approved February 8, 2024. Need clarification on this year's budget for Historic District Commission ($3000?)

Brainstorm: ​ Public hearing for ordinances for 2025 - ​ Signage for Historic District of Durham, historic marker

​ Coloring book (pdfs, preschool, DCS) - ​ QR codes signs, waterproof ​ Driving tour

​ Advocate for a piece of the budget to be used for grant money for the historic preservation of our town. The Historic District Commission’s job would be to review, select and administer funds, $5000.

​ Plays ​ Reach out to Shiloh ​ Reach out to Community School

​ History bowl (Amvets, Shiloh, Friends Meeting, Masonic Lodge) ​ Trivia night ​ Ghost Tours ​ Showcase the places that we lost, brief history on them, when they weren’t in the district or when the commission didn’t exist with a slideshow and talk ​ Collect memories ​ Commission documented every house that was built before 1900, maybe do a talk

​ Potluck ​ Cider talk ​ Open Doors event ​ Garden tours

​ History box for school, artifacts and information - ​ Brainstorm of old artifacts with the kids ​ Interview older residents ​ Scholarship essay contest on the history of Durham, must include first person accounts, $500 ​ Commission FB page, post ​ Strategic events, 4 things a year, every 3 months ​ Antique appraiser event ​ Calendar ​ Mailing brochure to directly to historic district residents-

​   Writing a love letters to historic homes or poems
​   Historic District walk, Paul Baines

Town Organizations: private cemetery owners (Deb Larrabee Sawyer Cemetery), Ruby cemetery, Cemetery Committee, Congregational Church,

Candance Decsipkes will locate white binders of the old homes of Durham catalog previously compiled by the Historic District Commission

Historic District Commission feels it should work in conjunction with the Historical Society on some of their planned events

Set aside money to allocate towards events Find out if our budget money can be used toward food

b. Develop a plan for outreach to the community Create a list of contributing resource that impact the Historic District that is kept at town office

Brochures need to be addressed and sent to residents living in the Historic District

Motion to send out brochures to historic district residents Emily Alexander volunteers, write the addresses

VI. New Business

David McLellan is unable to attend the conference on May 10th

Motion to adjust the calendar and eliminate the July meeting Seconded All in favor

Check in with Selectboard in a few months to see if a member will be attending our meetings

Suggestion made to that the code officer should attend May 9th meeting

Motion to adjourn All in favor