Historical Commission Minutes - July 17th, 2019

Historical Commission Member Attendees: (6 – Quorum plus One)

• Catherine Callahan, Chair
• Lorraine Tindaro, Vice-Chair
• Leah Jennings
• Jim Spaulding
• Paul Stephens (Remote)
• Janene Mullen

Historical Commission Member Non-attendees (4):

• Mark Evans (excused)
• Patty DeFroscia
• Candice Monhollan-Henry
• Dawn Coughlan

Historical Commission Guests (1):

• Mike Bedrick

 
OPENING:

• Chair Catherine Callahan opened the meeting with six members and quorum
  
  
• As part of the Historical Commission’s initiative (as Historical Commission Motion 190619-3) to save the Spackman Farm, Paul Stephens, Historic Architect, inspected the Farm buildings to help develop a recovery plan. Paul was out-of-town, and gave his summary report via tele-conference. He confirmed serious concerns about damage to the structures, but was more positive than expected. He suggested that near-term work on roofs, water, and security could stabilize the situation and permit renovation in the future. He plans to finish the report and submit it to Ms. Denne: though concern was expressed that the Historical Commission’s Initiative would be appropriated and our contribution blocked.
  
  

• The commission reviewed & approved June 19th Meeting Minutes unanimously.
  
  
• The Chair motioned to make Jim Spaulding the Commission Secretary. Jim initially refused because he cannot do the job without Office support and he does not trust permanent terms. He accepted with assurances of office support and a one-year term. The motion passed.

 
OLD BUSINESS:

• Jim Spaulding reported that the Historical Commission Initiative to analyze and recommend enhancements in the Zoning Ordinance to protect Historical and Cultural resources was cancelled at the Commissioners meeting (07/11/2019) by Ms. Denne, who stated that the Historical Commission has no role in the zoning ordinance, in opposition to tasks assigned to the Commission (see Caln Township Code, Comprehensive Plan, Webpage).
  
  
• This event caused a lot of discussion. Members were concerned by this change in the Charter of the Commission as well as the lost opportunity to implement features recommended by the Chester County Planning Commission and used in surrounding communities. Without such protections, Caln will not be able to protect its Historical or Cultural resources effectively.
  
  

• The members agreed to develop a new plan without the enhanced ordinance initiative. This leaves the role in the bylaws, ‘vision’ statements, and other Documents unresolved, but lets the Commission move ahead on other tasks. This planning process will extend over several meetings, and will integrate a revised set of Historical Commission Plan Checklist Report.
  
  
• Questions and concerns about the Farm. Motion 190619-4 authorizes Mark Evans to write a letter to the Board of Commissioners asking specific questions about budget items, quotes, proposals, documents and inspections for the Farm,  and report at the July 17th, 2019 meeting. Not discussed: Mark did not attend.
  
  
• BUDGET: The blocked Zoning Ordinance initiative, the need for a new plan, and the Farm Project highlighted the need to develop a budget quickly. A guest, Mike Bedrick, collected some ideas and volunteered to assemble a tentative budget with small, but effective tasks. The goal is to approve the budget in the August Meeting for the next year.
  
  

• Briefly discussed vision defined on Caln Township Webpage:  “The Historical Commission serves in an advisory capacity for the establishment and implementation of a historic preservation plan, to review and advise on proposed activities affecting historic resources, and to provide information on historic resources to the citizens of the township.”
  
  
• Some members are working in the school-house with no formal plan or budget: similar to other activities. We discussed more help and a budget for such activities. The question is “Are we volunteer workers on small scale tasks, or are we a panel chartered to plan and execute programs? Do we need members, or budgets? “What do we want to be?”
• Under time pressure, did not discuss Webpage: Image?  Rotating image of our historical resources? How help our residents? Awareness? Education? Recreation?
  
  
• Under time pressure, did not discuss Brain-storm ‘gotcha mottos’ for historical image & perspective. Example: “X” marks the spot: “Thorndale”
  
  
• Under time pressure, briefly touched ion Operation, Connections, Agenda, Minutes, Executive  meetings, Sub-committees, , interaction with other groups (liaisons)
  
  
• Under time pressure, did not discuss: Command and Control: Do we do work? Do we ask Office to do work? Does Caln office train us and tell us what to do?
  
  
• Under time pressure, briefly discussed Standards: format, detail level, formality of Agendas, Meeting Minutes, Motions, Reports and affirmed  that current levels that Jim Spaulding produces are generally appropriate, and should be continued; less verbosely.
  
  
• Briefly discussed Identification: formality level, contact info, members vs guests, etc. and agreed to keep it simple and informal for internal communications. If messages are exchanged outside of Caln Township, then Formal terms and titles will be used.
  
  
• Report and recommendations for document organization and storage canceled awaiting directions from the Township Office. Report from Cheryl Spaulding cancelled and will be picked up by Jim Spaulding as new Secretary.
  
  

NEW BUSINESS:

• Agreed to remove and replace inactive members (Patty DeFroscia , Candice Monhollan-Henry, Dawn Coughlan). The process will be handled informally by the Township office.
  
  
• Briefly discussed Suggestions for Beaver Creek Trail and Extension from Beaver Creek Trail to kings highway Park and Quaker Meeting House Museum
  
  
• Briefly discussed Extension to PRR Philadelphia-Thorndale Line and the History of Thorndale and steel/iron industry here.