Members of the La Plata Garden Club told the Historic Preservation Commission they are concerned the planned entrance work for the La Plata Firehouse Museum could encroach on a long‑established pollinator garden at the south side of the building and asked staff to coordinate design changes to avoid damaging the plantings.

Kathy (La Plata Garden Club president) said the garden is composed of native perennials and has been maintained by the club for about 15 years. "The photos in your document do not represent the large pollinator garden," she said, and asked for confirmation that the commission and staff would work to preserve the planting if the building entrance is modified. Don (Planning Director, Town of La Plata) responded that design details remain preliminary and that staff and volunteers would work to make both the garden and the building entrance function together.

Why it matters: The pollinator garden is an established, volunteer‑maintained feature adjacent to a public historic asset. Commissioners said they want clarity from the town council on the intended long‑term use of the firehouse museum because further interior and exterior work, staffing, insurance and long‑term maintenance will require council direction and, in some cases, allocated funds.

Funding and council direction

Don told the commission he and the town manager had not found a clear council directive designating the building for an ongoing museum use, and noted that significant retrofit, insurance and operating costs would require council approval. "Until we get town council direction that they want staff to pursue mobiling this up as a museum, provide proper allocation, approve for insurance, all of the retrofit activitieswe're simply not gonna move forward," he said.

Kelly (Town staff) told the commission that reporting requirements tied to the earlier COVID‑era funds had been satisfied and that a reserve marked for the firehouse project still exists; she said there is not currently a spending deadline on that reserve. Commissioners asked staff to verify exact budget allocations and to seek a council discussion on the buildings intended use and on any funds available for near‑term work.

Garden club specifics

The Garden Club asked that any pathway or door placement proposed for the south end of the community room avoid trampling or removing pollinator plantings. Kathy said the club is installing a small screening fence next to the garden and had measured ADA pathway clearances; she requested staff collaboration to maintain access while protecting planted beds. Don answered, "We have time and opportunity to to find a way to make them both work," but cautioned some impacts were possible as design details are finalized.

Train station museum operations and plaques

The commission also discussed operations at the Train Station Museum and associated assets (caboose and displays). Commissioners agreed to reimburse a volunteer, Stewart Bowling, for an air‑conditioner he purchased and installed in the caboose. The motion to reimburse Stewart Bowling for $168.54 passed by voice vote with all present voting in favor.

Other operational items discussed included: repairs to the stations sound system and the need to contact the original electrician for alignment; the possibility of adding low‑cost Wi‑Fi camera devices for remote monitoring of the caboose if the town cannot add cameras to its system; and peeling vinyl lettering on the caboose that needs repair.

Plaque program and interpretive signage

Marybeth (commission member) and others reviewed a proposed plaque program to recognize historic buildings and businesses. Staff reported a lower‑cost metal plaque option from a local supplier (Crown Trophy) priced at $110.65 for the plaque plus engraving; commercial bronze plaques were noted as an alternative at a higher cost. Commissioners discussed starting with business/commercial plaques, verifying property ownership (the D'Angels / T.R. Farrell building at 600 Charles Street was cited as a likely first candidate and described in a historical note as built in 1872) and developing simple criteria for selecting plaques.

Chair Rich asked the commission to present a short plan for the next meeting identifying six candidate plaques, owner permission steps, and a budget so the commission could authorize use of its existing allocation to buy plaques. Don and Kelly said staff will check the current fiscal allocation for the commission and confirm whether the $8,100 request made during the budget process was approved in the towns adopted budget; Kelly confirmed a $5,000 recurring allotment typically exists for the commission but said she would verify the current fiscal year status.

Distinguishing discussion vs. decisions

- Discussion only: The garden clubs concerns about the pollinator garden and the list of potential interpretive and plaque projects were discussed but not adopted as ordinance changes.
- Direction/assignment: Staff was asked to verify the commissions budgeted funds, to seek a council agenda item so the council could confirm the buildings intended long‑term use and to coordinate with the Garden Club on design details for the firehouse entrance.
- Formal action: The commission approved reimbursement to Stewart Bowling, $168.54, for an air conditioner purchased for the train station caboose (motion and voice vote; unanimous among members present). No other binding financial authorizations were recorded.

Ending

Commissioners agreed to pursue a council discussion to clarify the towns expectations for the firehouse property and to verify available funds; they also asked staff to return with a short plaque program proposal and with confirmations about current budget allocations so the commission can decide whether to purchase an initial set of recognition plaques.