Historical Commission Meeting Minutes - February 15, 2023

OPENING:
The meeting was called to order by Chair Stephens at 7:10 PM. Secretary Evans announced that the meeting was not being recorded due to technical issues, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Acting Secretary Donna DiPrinzio continued with Member Roll Call and introduction of guests.

1. Paul Stephens – Chair
2. Dawn Coughlan – Vice Chair/ Liaison to OCHS
3. Mark Evans – Secretary
4. Donna DiPrinzio - Treasurer
5. Cathy Callahan
6. Patty DeFroscia
7. Tom Parr
8. Leah Jennings
9.  Lorraine Tindaro

Historical Commission Members Absent (0):
Historical Commission Member Attendees: (8 in person, 1 remote = Quorum)
Historical Commission Guests (4):

• Jamie Evans
• Chris Parr
• Lisa Shields
• Mike Bedrick

Approval of 1/18/23 Minutes
Chair Stephens asked if there were any comments or questions regarding the minutes of our 1/18/23 meeting. Mark reported that he had sent them to the Chair and Vice Chair for review and failed to send them to the rest of the members. Donna DiPrinzio suggested we table approval of the 1/18/23 Minutes until our next meeting so that everyone has a chance to review them.
 
OLD BUSINESS:

1. MEMBERSHIP
   1. Donna D reported that both Jamie Evans and Lisa Shields have been interviewed by the BOC and will be on the agenda for appointment at the next BOC meeting. Last week’s meeting was replaced with a Zoning Workshop or Mr. Evans could have been appointed then. Ms. Shields interviewed for both Hx Com and Parks & Rec and will choose between the two.  
2. PRESENTATION: PAShare – Paul and Mark
   1. Understanding PAShare website & functionality
   2. Technical issues prevented a full demonstration of the tools.    
3. 2023 PRIORITIES – Mark
   1. Mark shared a PPT of draft priorities for 2023. Paul suggested we workshop to scope out priorities to add to this list
      1. Chair Stephens stated our #1 long-term priority is seeing that Caln becomes a Certified Local Government, being a CLG will improve our reputation and opportunities for grants. Mark agreed and added that since the HPO must first be in place, we should do our research to be sure we’re ready to guide the township through the CLG process once we have the zoning approved. 
      2. Use PAShare to submit Edges Mill for National registry – need to get McAllister documents confirmed & formatted
      3. Start gearing up for Town Tour.
         1. Focus most of our energies in Q-1, 2, and 3 toward the Spackman-Davis Historic Walk
      4. Strengthen our relationships with Township administrators
      5. Attend Planning Commission and BOC meetings as often as possible
      6. New sub com to focus on each endangered resource
         1. Buchanan House, Lloyd Farm, etc.
         2. How do we preserve what we don’t own?
            1. Mark shared that he had read about a couple of Real Estate firms that specialize in Historic properties and suggested the HX Preservation sub-com research, list, and make contact with firms that may have interest in our endangered resources such as Buchanan House.
               1. Cathy C mentioned Jim Wagner and his son Jim Jr. are great real estate people for historic buildings
         3. Caln Elementary at Risk
            1. Need to look at it before it is officially on the list to be closed. We have time, but this is a treasure and needs to be addressed
      7. Lincoln Hwy – Deep dive of Hx Resources that could benefit from Adaptive reuse using LERTA
      8. Preservation Ordinance is pretty much done, awaiting full rezoning to be completed
      9. Continue to get our name and efforts out in the public eye
      10. Mike B suggested we try building our relationships with other township’s Hx Coms. Mark E replied that with our emergence as a more active player locally and with CCHPN, plus our growing positive relationship within the county PCHC, it is possible that we will be able to work together with our neighbors, but to keep in mind all of our resources are extremely limited, and each Hx Com has intensive projects prioritized. Mark shared that he’d just had lunch with Jim Buczala from East Brandywine (Brandywine Mill Park), and that after the S-D Farm event E Brandywine Trails had shared interest in working with Caln to connect the Mill Park with GO Carlson through Spackman. He added that Jim B would be joining us at our March meeting to discuss their efforts.  

 

1. SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS
   1. SPACKMAN FARM
      1. No update on possible repairs to house roof and porch
      2. Walking Tour on the agenda for discussion
   2. MARKETING AND SOCIAL MEDIA
      1. Lorraine reported she made contact with Elaine LaRoche about obtaining images of her wedding ceremony at the Old Schoolhouse and will be meeting with her soon
      2. Mark suggested we get a press release out for Walking Tour. Chair Stephens recommended we wait until the CCPC & CCHPN make their announcements. All agreed.
      3. Mark will be attending the Municipal Historic Preservation Leadership Luncheon March 18th and will have a chance to briefly address the group and deliver an update
   3. HISTORICAL PRESERVATION
      1. Tom Parr reported that he had been in contact with the administration at Copeland Run School about photographing the exterior of the Mary Louise Lloyd House and they are working on a date. The principle was also looking into any artifacts they may have in their possession and could share with us.
   4. LLOYD FARM
      1. Tom P is waiting for images of Mary Louise Lloyd House and possible info from Copeland Run School before presenting the house to the Hx Com for a vote to add to our resource list based on architectural merit.
2. EDGES’ MILL HISTORIC DISTRICT UPDATE – Cathy Callahan
   1. Cathy C reported that she continues to stir the pot regarding the Edges Mill District application for the National Register. Chair Stephens felt that we should prioritize getting the application uploaded to PAShare to expedite the process. Mark shared that we have the images and histories provided by Micki McAllister and our next step should be for the Hx Com to review and approve the documents.
3. OCHS LIASON REPORT – Dawn Coughlan
   1. Dawn was remote and due to technical issues on our end had to drop off before she was able to present her report. February will be included in her March update.
4. FINANCE UPDATE – Donna DiPrinzio
   1. New Treasurer Donna DiPrinzio reported that it’s a new year and we have a fresh budget to work with. For 2023 we received the same amount as 2022, $1200.
   2. Our license for PAShare is set to expire 2/16/23 and will be renewed as soon as possible.
   3. We can discuss potential new expenditures under new business.
   4. Patty D has still not been reimbursed for buying the outdoor gas heaters that were given to the Township after the Spackman-Davis Farm event 11/12/22. Mark E will try to get that done ASAP
5. ANNUAL REPORT FOR BOC
   1. Mark E shared a rough draft and said he would have a final DRAFT version ready in advance of our March meeting.

           
NEW BUSINESS:

1. 2023 WALKING TOUR
   1. Paul S thought a “Spring Day of Service is a good idea, but that we may need more than one day”. He suggested we get some people to go out to Spackman to make a list of what needs to be done for our tour to be both safe and accessible. By advance scouting we’ll have a better idea of how much work has to be done and how much time will be needed.
      1. Red flag holes that need to be filled in
   2. We need to look at the other buildings, but he doesn’t think they’re special. We should be careful that none of our visitors go beyond them.
   3. Paul added that our subcommittees will need to workshop through priorities and develop a timeline
   4. Mark reported that Dawn told him OCHS was all-in on the tour. It was also suggested that we try to involve Parks and Rec for their event expertise.
   5. We need dirt to fill the holes, will this come out of our budget or the township budget? Mark thought the township would provide it since the township owns Spackman. Patty D shared that if not, she could us a good price on it.
   6. Paul S thought it would be great if the township could announce the walk in the Newsletter 
   7. Donna D suggested we consider having sheep and other animals at the farm for the event to add to the realism of what life was like there in the 19th century. She thought 4 H Club could be a good resource, and we could also explore other options. Mark E said that was part of his vision as well – to have a cow, a horse, sheep/goats, maybe even chickens for the evening. He thinks the Jefferis brothers may be able to provide a cow (they worked on the farm as youngsters), and he also has an idea for where to get the horse. He is also hopeful we can find a way to close a portion of the road but it’s PennDOT and would be difficult.
   8. Tom Parr suggested we keep CLG on our radar even though we can’t do anything until we have our HPO approved. Paul agreed and said we would be able to take full advantage of funding available such as being 1st in line for Keystone Grants.

ADDITIONAL BUSINESS:

1. Historic Tree registry and Arbor Day event
   1. Donna shared that our elder-most trees are of great cultural and historic value and it’s important to maintain and preserve them, as they also tell the story of our township history.
      1. Donna suggested a subgroup to locate and document our eldest trees.
         1. There was a good discussion of where some of our most important elder trees are
         2. Mark added that some of our elder trees have limited lifespans, such as the trees lining the entrance road to Spackman-Davis Farm. He said Abbey had said that some will need to be replaced in the not-too-distant future
         3. Tom Parr mentioned Lloyd Farm is home to what is said to be the oldest Japanese Maple in the state
   2. Donna continued “how can we proactively plan for a rich investment of more trees in our township?” She cited the Havertown Shade Tree Commission 2022 Tree Giveaway as an example of options
      1. It was noted that Abbey has led tree planting initiatives in the recent past and we should talk to her about expanding those efforts with our help
   3. Arbor Day is Friday, April 28, 2023- can we plan an event to bring awareness?
      1. It was noted that Parks & Rec already host an annual Arbor Day event, but that we could offer to help them and perhaps add a Historic Trees tour for 2024.
      2. Mark E suggested we do all we can to assist Parks & Rec as their membership is currently low and they’ve been very generous with helping us.

ADJOURNMENT
Chair Stephens asked for a motion to adjourn.
Moved by Mark E
Second by Tom Parr
Vote called by Chair Stephens
Motion passed 8-0
Meeting was adjourned at 8:20 PM
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