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Committee boosts historic‑preservation grants and flags lease language at Goodall House project
Summary
The conferees increased two State Historic Preservation grant programs from $300,000 to $400,000 each, noting average awards around $16,000–$17,000; the committee also questioned lease language for the Goodall House at Little River State Park after noting federal renovation funding and asked for clearer fee formulas and termination terms.
The conference committee increased funding for two grant programs managed by the State Historic Preservation division from $300,000 to $400,000 apiece, a move Chair Heidi Harrison said will benefit Vermonters by supporting barn and building preservation. Harrison said average awards run around $16,000 to $17,000 and that the program has broad local impact.
Separately, Harrison raised concerns about language governing leases for the Goodall House at Little River State Park. She said federal funding of about $3.8 million had been secured for renovation work, but that the draft lease language "explains the types of information or, subjects that need to be in the lease, but there aren't any boundaries," leaving key elements such as fee formulas and termination provisions undefined. "The issue is that the the legislature should have some sort of limit on that or or guidance on that," she said, and asked conferees to develop clearer legislative guidance before finalizing lease authority for state property.
Members said they lacked time in the session to draft suggested language but agreed the Legislature should have more explicit limits and guidance in lease provisions for public property.
