8/2/2010 Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
Regular Meeting
Chairman Padgett called the meeting to order at approximately 6 p.m.; welcoming all in attendance. Chairman Padgett presented minutes from June 7, 2010 for review and approval. R. Stanley Chambers noted that date at top of second page needed to be changed to July 7, 2010; change noted. Betty Ann Surdykowski made motion to approve amended minutes; seconded by David Mitchell. All voted aye.
Unfinished Business
- Chairman Padgett met with an advisor with Department of Natural Resources regarding the Resaca Battlefield Park. He stated a meeting for later in August is scheduled at the site. The interpretative center will be redesigned. A new project manger is in place for the trail program and it will be late summer before construction on the roadway will begin.
- Chairman Padgett stated a $1.5 million dollar grant has been applied for through the National Park Service for the Chitwood Farm and the grant has been awarded after a two year period. Gordon County matched funds of $100,000, which has been budgeted for the last year for the Chitwood Farm project. In all there are 473 acres that will be forever protected from any future development. The easement cannot be legally broke. He stated the Chitwood Farm will be open 4 times per year to the public in addition to the Battle of Resaca reenactment. One of the four days has already been requested by the Chitwood family for Pioneer Days. Chairman Padgett stated the Trust for Public Land still owns the property and it is actively still for sale.
- Chairman Padgett asked for any input from HPC members in regards to the ongoing cemetery project. David Mitchell presented the HPC with a copy of a newspaper article regarding a cemetery on the old John & Rebecca Love plantation, located where Crying Town creek meets Salacoa Creek. Present time Crying Town creek has been renamed Pine Log creek. He stated he would like to locate this cemetery in the winter.
- David Mitchell stated he received a phone call from a gentleman in regards to a cemetery behind the Sugar Valley School between the school and the railroad tracks.
- David Mitchell stated himself along with Stanley Chambers and Chairman Padgett has begun to document directions and mileage to cemeteries. Chairman Padgett stated they have documented approximately 35 cemeteries as of this date. He stated he will turn the paperwork into the county this week on the directions.
- R. Stanley Chambers stated he spoke with the Cub Scout Troop #22 and Boy Scout Troop #22 in regards to helping clean up/maintain cemeteries. He stated the Boy Scout leader, Keith Blair was interested. He stated they had cleaned out cemeteries in Floyd County and are looking to do something within their own community.
- R. Stanley Chambers attended a meeting in Andersonville, SC and had the opportunity to hear Mike Mitchell, a cemetery expert, speak. He stated he heard some interesting things concerning how to and how not to clean a cemetery marker. There was a brief discussion to proper cleaning and repairs of broken cemetery markers/headstones.
New Business
- HPC members were presented with copies of 2010 – 2011 budget. Ursula Desrosier gave a brief overview of budget.
- Chairman Padgett presented information to HPC regarding Georgia Municipal Cemetery Association annual training to be held September 9 & 10, 2010 in Phoenix City, Alabama. There was brief discussion on training and who would be interested in attending.
- Chairman Padgett mentioned it was time for election of officers. Betty Ann Surdykowski researched her minutes and stated last elections were held in July 2010. There was brief discussion to election of officers. After discussion Betty Ann Surdykowski made motion to have officers of the HPC remain as they were at this time; seconded by R. Stanley Chambers. All voted aye.
- David Mitchell stated there are historical areas in the county that have not been preserved. Chairman Padgett stated maybe the HPC needs to look into educating the community of preservation of historical properties/areas and the importance of preserving properties. He suggested maybe the Calhoun Times would run an article periodically on preservation. He stated the HPC needs to network better with the City HPC, as well as invite other committees to HPC monthly meetings to get more involvement. David Mitchell mentioned possibly having a monthly HPC meeting at one of the cemeteries; Chairman Padgett stated that was a good idea and something to consider possibly for the October monthly meeting.
Adjournment
Chairman Padgett stated next meeting will be Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at 6 p.m. due to Labor Day being the first Monday of September. David Mitchell made motion to adjourn; seconded by Betty Ann Surdykowski Meeting was adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
