La Plata Historic Preservation Commission members and town staff debated the management, budget and responsibilities for the planned firehouse museum during an Aug. 1 workshop, with staff saying the council must decide whether the town will operate the museum and, if so, allocate staff time and funds.
The argument matters because commissioners have been operating train-station exhibits and had planned volunteer staffing for the firehouse, while town staff said routine operation of town assets is an administrative function that requires council direction and budget support.
Commissioners pressed to open the firehouse and keep volunteer staffing for initial weekends. Town staff said a procurement check is needed, the status of a previously discussed grant must be verified, and the building may need ADA and other modifications before opening as a museum. Staff recommended developing a plan of modifications, an operating budget and a staffing proposal to present to the town council.
Staff emphasized the limits of commission authority: boards and commissions provide recommendations and policy advice, while day-to-day operation of town property is the manager’s responsibility and requires council direction and budget approval. Commissioners said they are willing to continue volunteer operations in the near term but sought assurance about grant money and long-term management.
As a next step, staff said it will schedule a meeting with the town manager and the HPC chair and vice chair to clarify roles and bring a draft work plan and a presentation about the firehouse to the council. The workshop produced no binding decision; staff will refer the draft plan and funding questions to the council for direction.
The discussion also touched on the broader question of how much operational responsibility the HPC should hold for town-owned assets going forward, with staff urging the council to state its preference before staff reorganizes resources to support any museum operations.