Historic Preservation Commission
Commission Members
Name | Position | Term Expires |
Alice Cross |
Chairperson |
12/31/08 |
Ruth Bendelius |
Member |
12/31/09 |
Joan Berkowitz |
Member |
12/31/07 |
William Collier |
Member |
12/31/07 |
Frank Dunn |
Member |
12/31/08 |
Jeanne Greene |
Member |
12/31/07 |
Walter Levy |
Member |
12/31/08 |
Ward Mintz |
Member |
12/31/09 |
Paul Reish |
Member |
12/31/08 |
Alice Schoonmaker |
Member |
12/31/09 |
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Town Board Liaison |
12/31/07 |
Associate Members | |
Pam Duke |
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Eric Hartelius |
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 In 1987, recognizing the value of our Town’s
historic resources, the Town Board of the Town of Rochester formed the Historic Preservation Commission for the purpose of establishing a working list of the town’s historic features with the goal of preserving them. These historic elements, which have been identified, surveyed and documented during the past several years, include stone and brick houses, frame and stucco houses, barns and other support farm structures, schoolhouses, churches, commercials buildings, bridges and cemeteries (over 70!)
Historic Preservation is an important part of the overall plan that guides our community’s improvement and change; it should not be viewed as an impediment to progress. On the contrary, in identifying the historic resources of the Town, the aim is to protect and enhance the value of said properties, to the benefit of current and future residents.
Effort is now being made to alert property owners, potential buyers, and the public in general to the importance and intrinsic value of the historic properties. As part of this effort, Friends of Historic Rochester has established The Museum at 12 Main Street in Accord, and sponsors tours of historic places within the Town.
UPDATE ON HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
TOWN OF ROCHESTER as of Winter-Spring-Summer 2007
The HPC has been meeting regularly and is pleased to report the following:
Advanced planning for the Veterans Park - Nancy Copley, our landscape architect, is now revising plans which will allow for an entrance that does not impinge on the Friends of Historic Rochester property.
New signage - A sign has been erected at the intersection of Main Street and Route 209. It proudly announces “Accord, Town of Rochester, founded in 1703”. Signs for six other hamlets (Pataukunk, Cherrytown, Liebhardt, Kerhonkson, Alligerville, and Kyserike) will be erected soon. Signs for the other hamlets in the town will be made as soon as funding allows.
Historical Markers along Route 209 have been repainted, and two replaced because they had been lost. Showing the locations of important places and events in the early history of this town, these markers can be found at the intersection of Route 209 and Samsonville Road, at the Rescue Squad building, at Skate Time 209, at the Rochester Reformed Church, at the Diest Haus property, at the field just south and across the road from A&M Hardware, and at the Grange Hall.
On July 16, 2007, Lynn Garofalini, our representative of the State Office of Historic Preservation, attended the HPC meeting and discussed aspects of historic preservation in NYS. This is one of what we expect to be many discussions.
Ward Mintz, Alice Cross, and Walter Levy submitted a grant application to the Preservation League of New York State for a “Preserve New York Grant” for upgrading the inventory of historic properties in the TOR. If the grant is approved, Harry Hansen will do the updated and expanded inventory.
In conjunction with Friends of Historic Rochester, the HPC is helping to arrange for Julian Adams from the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation to present a program at the Annual Meeting of Friends on September 14, 2007, 7:00 p.m., at the Rochester Reformed Church on Route 209. Adams’ slide presentation is titled “Local Historic Preservation: History and Benefits”. All are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served.
Alice Cross, Chair
Historic Preservation Commission
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