The Sumner County Brown House Restoration Ad Hoc Committee elected leadership, set a recurring meeting schedule and pledged to accelerate work to stabilize and restore the William and Martha Brown house after residents urged the county to honor a bequest and clear years of overgrowth.

Resident Cynthia McLeod told the committee she had researched a codicil she said directed $500,000 to Sumner County “to establish and maintain a public park located at 212 Hunters Lane, Hendersonville, Tennessee,” and she urged officials to preserve the home and surrounding land. Kevin Baker, another nearby resident, urged cooperation between the mayor’s office, the school district and county staff, and said the donation to the family’s preferred causes created an obligation for prompt action.

Committee members confirmed Jeremy Mansfield as chair after a nomination and hand count; members also selected a vice chair by unanimous voice vote (the transcript did not clearly record the final named appointee). The group agreed to meet monthly and to report progress to the General Operations committee, with a standing slot on the third Thursday at 5:30 p.m. and the option to cancel if no business is pending.

Why it matters: the house dates to the late 18th/early 19th century, and residents and officials described it as a local historic resource that has deteriorated while remaining county property. Restoring the structure was presented as compatible with the donor’s stated purpose of using funds to create and maintain a park and an historic centerpiece for the surrounding school campus.

What the committee will do next: members said the finance department is evaluating RFQ responses for an architect; state procurement requirements mean the architect must sign off on specifications before a construction RFP is issued. The architect will consult stakeholders and help produce drawings or specifications that will inform an RFP for contractors. The committee emphasized prioritizing stabilization and accessibility within the available funds.

Funding and constraints: speakers repeatedly noted limited resources. Cynthia McLeod read language referencing a $500,000 bequest; committee leadership described available funds in the packet as roughly in that range and cautioned the money is intended to fund restoration of the house as a park centerpiece, not broader park improvements. Members discussed cost-saving options including volunteer labor and donations of professional time but also said state law and procurement rules require an architect’s involvement before work can proceed.

Site access and environmental approvals: committee members said they have sought and discussed permitting and buffer issues with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and plan to have the county stake buffer boundaries before construction access. Members discussed temporary measures—mowing, security fencing and a gravel construction entrance—that could reduce safety risks while the RFQ/RFP process proceeds, but several said formal county action or funding approvals may be needed to pay for materials and contractor work.

Votes at a glance: the committee approved the meeting agenda and previous minutes by voice vote, elected committee leadership (chair confirmed by hand count; vice chair recorded as unanimous), and set the recurring meeting time (third Thursday, 5:30 p.m.) with cancellation allowed when no agenda items exist.

Community perspective: residents who live adjacent to the property described overgrowth, boarded windows and prior unsuccessful requests for mowing and maintenance. They urged the committee to prioritize stabilization to prevent further decay and to honor donor intent. The committee said it will report monthly to General Operations and coordinate with finance, the architect and road/highway staff to resolve access and construction logistics.

The committee did not adopt construction contracts or commit new county funds at the meeting; members said they expect the next substantive steps to be the architect selection and the preparation of contractor-facing RFP documents. The committee will report back to General Operations and re-evaluate progress at future meetings.