FINAL
Present for the Historical Commission and attending the meeting were: Jane Slater, Chair, Lenny Jason, Steve McGhee, John Flender, Barbara Armstrong and Chuck Hodgkinson. Bette Carroll and Karin Wetmore were absent. Adam Moore, Mitzi Pratt, Derrill Bazzy, Susan Klein, Bonnie Stacy, Dan Waters, Edward Miller and Martina Thornton also attended.
The meeting came to order at 5:00 PM.
Ms. Slater welcomed all of the guests who are seeking the Commission’s endorsement of their applications for Community Preservation Act Historic Preservation funds for consideration at the April 2014 Annual Town Meeting.
ADAM MOORE, SHERIFF’S MEADOWN FOUNDATION: Mr. Moore reviewed the Foundation’s plan to meticulously restore the historic Hancock-Mitchell House on Quansoo Farm – circa 1655. The total project budget is $1.1million and the Foundation is seeking $100,000 of Chilmark CPA funds. The Commission thanked Mr. Moore for following through on the Commission’s previous recommendation to save this Chilmark historic treasure that is listed in the Town’s Master Plan. After discussion a motion was made to recommend the application to the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) pending Town Counsel’s confirmation the project meets the CPA fund criteria. The motion was seconded and with no discussion passed unanimously with five in favor.
MITZI PRATT AND DERRILL BAZZY, SAVE THE GAY HEAD LIGHTHOUSE COMMITTEE: Ms. Pratt thanked the Commission for its time and reviewed the status of the Town’s plan to relocate and preserve the Gay Head Lighthouse. It is only 46 feet from the edge of the cliff and must be relocated very soon – while the soils are stable. There are three possible locations for the lighthouse which are being evaluated by structural engineers. The Committee is seeking a total of $500,000 of the estimated $3 million cost from the five island Towns with the balance being paid by the Town of Aquinnah and private fund raising. The Commission mentioned if approved, it would not want Chilmark’s contribution used to purchase land for the new location. Mr. Bazzy assured the Commission that the
Town already owns two of the potential three locations and is under a Purchase and Sale agreement for the third.
The Commission discussed how the Gay Head Light is also a significant part of Chilmark’s maritime history. A subsequent motion was made to recommend the request for $51,854 as Chilmark’s share of the total $500,000 CPA fund raising goal pending Town Counsel approval. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously with five in favor.
SUSAN KLEIN, MARTHA’S VINEYARD AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY: Ms. Klein reviewed the history of the Ag Society which was founded in 1858. She explained that about 120 years of Ag Society meeting minutes are missing which is why she is spearheading the project to restore and catalogue the many remaining historic artifacts and documents. Ms. Klein presented a $56,910 itemized working budget for the project with a list of items to be covered by Chilmark’s share and request for $3,016. The Commission explained this is very similar to the MV Museum’s request two years ago and outlined the specific requirements on how Chilmark’s funds must be used – if approved. Ms. Klein agreed and acknowledged the criteria. The Commission discussed how so much of the Ag Society’s history is a part of Chilmark’s agricultural heritage. A subsequent motion was made to recommend the request for $3,016 to the CPC pending Town Counsel approval. The motion was seconded and with no further discussion passed
unanimously with five in favor.
JOHN FLENDER, CEMETERY COMMISSION: Mr. Flender explained the Cemetery Commission is seeking $3,500 of CPA funds to restore 35 slate gravestones from the late 1700’s to early 1800’s in Abel’s Hill Cemetery. The stones are splitting because of water infiltration and the freeze and thaw effects. He added Kai Nalenz of New England Gravestone Services visited the island for a talk and demonstration on this subject two years ago and has submitted a proposal for the work. A motion was made to recommend the request to the CPC pending Town Counsel approval. The motion was seconded and passed with four in favor and one abstention (Mr. Flender).
DAN WATERS, MV MUSEUM: Mr. Waters thanked the Commission for its time and explained he is the newly-hired development director for the museum. He first mentioned the Museum fully supports the Gay Head Light project and explained the Museum’s plans to restore the Marine Hospital it purchased for $2.9 million and owns free and clear of any debt. The plan is to restore the original building as the Museum’s facility for historic artifacts and register it in the National Registry of Historic Places. The total restoration project is estimated to cost $10 million and will take several years to complete. He plans to raise 90 percent of the total cost through private donations and is seeking $600,000 from the six island Towns to restore the building’s slate roof, several
chimneys and building support structure for the roof. Chilmark’s share of the total request is $31,512. The Commission asked many questions about the construction sequence for the restoration and the condition of the building and structural reinforcement of the roof. The Commission asked when the Museum plans to restore its Nomansland boat which the Town offered to help fund. Mr. Waters said the building is the Museum’s highest priority and does plan to restore the boat. The Commission discussed how the Museum is the island’s museum has many important artifacts of Chilmark history. A subsequent motion was made to recommend the project to the CPC pending Town Counsel approval. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously with five in favor.
Mr. Jason said he regretfully has another meeting and left at 5:50 PM.
MARTINA THORNTON, DUKES COUNTY MANAGER FOR THE COMMISSIONERS: Ms. Thornton explained how the County Courthouse’s electrical system is inadequate and not safe. It cannot support air conditioning and does not meet today’s electrical code. She estimates the required electrical engineering and system upgrade will cost $55,000 which she is seeking from the six island Towns. Chilmark’s share is $5,847. When asked about the County’s surplus and why that’s not being used for the project Ms. Thornton said the County’s Financial Advisory Board voted to use the surplus as follows: a total of $300,000 will be returned to the Towns in two installments; a $100,000 capital improvements fund will be created and $50,000 will be held to re-paint the courthouse. In discussion it was agreed that all islanders use the courthouse which is listed in the National Registry of Historic Places. A subsequent motion was made to recommend the request to the CPC pending Town Counsel approval. The motion
was seconded and passed unanimously with four in favor.
After the applicants left the meeting the Commission discussed that while these specific projects are valid and should be recommended, the Town’s CPA funds should be earmarked for Chilmark projects.
HISTORICAL COMMISSION AWARD RECIPIENT: The Commission discussed and agreed it will not recognize an award recipient this year and will reconsider this matter next year.
2014 LIBRARY GUEST SPEAKER: Ms. Slater suggested inviting art historian and author Henry Adams as the Commission’s guest speaker in August 2014. He has written several books on Thomas Hart Benton and Adolf Dehn. A viewing of Chilmark works of both artists can then take place at Jane Slater’s shop the morning after the talk. The Commission unanimously agreed to invite Mr. Adams for next summer’s talk.
MEETING MINUTES: The July 16, 2013 meeting minutes were reviewed and approved as presented by consensus.
NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be on Tuesday, November 19, 2013 @ 5:00 PM.
With no further business to conduct the meeting adjourned at 6:16 PM.
Respectfully submitted by Chuck Hodgkinson, CAS.
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