Date: Fri 08-Dec-1995

Publication: Bee

Author: KAAREN

Quick Words:

historic-district-Main-St

Full Text:

Reaction Mixed To Scaled-Down Historic District

B Y K AAREN V ALENTA

A newly reorganized Historic District Study Committee is attempting to

determine whether Main Street residents are interested in a scaled-down

version of the historic district which was narrowly defeated by property

owners last year.

But some property owners, including Stan Verry, the former committee chairman,

and Linda Shepard, the former committee secretary, have withdrawn their

support for the proposed historic district. They say a district which does not

include all of the properties is not the same as the original concept for

which they worked so hard.

"As a community and as a neighborhood, we were working for continuity," Linda

Shepard said. "Having one house in the historic district and the next house

out...is not what I had in mind. The neighborly feeling would be gone."

"I am 1,000 percent in favor of a historic district which would include

everyone," Mr Verry said. "But I have reservations about this new concept. I

have nothing but admiration for those people who are willing to step forward

and have restrictions put upon their property while their neighbor's property

won't have restrictions. I just don't want to do it."

The committee sent two letters in recent months to property owners to explore

the sentiment for forming a historic district which would be composed only of

those properties whose owners want to participate. This is possible, according

to the State Historical Commission, as long as the properties are contiguous,

a feat which can be accomplished in Newtown by designating Main Street and

Church Hill Road as historic roadways.

The local committee asked property owners to reply by December 12 as to

whether they want to be in a smaller historic district. They have tentatively

scheduled a meeting to review the results on December 18.

Some residents, however, feel that a public information meeting should be held

to discuss the benefits and disadvantages of a smaller district before they

are asked to make up their mind.

In a letter published in The Bee's Letter Hive this week, Main Street

residents Maureen and John Rohmer questioned whether a historic district could

preserve the character of the area if some of the structures are not included.

"The advantages or disadvantages to being in or out of a district made

contiguous solely by a roadway should be explained in an open forum prior to

proceeding with any additional action," the Rohmers wrote. "This meeting

should take place before December 12, 1995, the date our election slips are

due back to the committee, so all of the people may be fully informed before

making the critical decision to be in or out of the proposed district."

The committee members said the letters are an attempt only to gather

information about whether there is enough interest to proceed with the idea.

There's no point in proceeding if too many people are opposed, they said.

"If we decide there is enough interest to continue, then we will have a public

meeting and do all that is required under the state regulations," said Kathy

Jamison, one of the committee members. "A vote would take place within the

next few months in which ballots would be sent to those on the final list."

Mrs Jamison said a little more than half of those polled informally had

indicated they were interested in the concept of forming a smaller historic

district.

Jim Gaston, an attorney who is a member of the Borough Board of Burgesses and

the Historic District Study Committee, said that having some protection for

Main Street is better than doing nothing. Forming a smaller district will make

the borough eligible for federal "Certified Local Government" status which

makes available special preservation grants that could be used for antique

lighting, sidewalks, or for preservation projects involving such buildings as

the Meeting House and Edmond Town Hall.

"Last year the state had $70,000 in grants that they almost had to give back

to the federal government because of a lack of applicants," Mr Gaston said.

"Imagine what we could have done with some of that money."

Mr Gaston said the historic district would provide a tool to be used against

the pressure of commercial development on Main Street once sewers are

installed. And including Main Street in the historic district will provide

more effective local input into state decisions regarding any significant

modifications of the roadway, he said.