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Resident urges quick repairs to Robert Marshall House; council cites $50,000 grant and short-term securing plan
Summary
Resident Brian Burns presented a structural-condition report showing missing roof sheathing, torn tarps and open bulkhead doors at the Robert Marshall House, urged immediate weatherproofing; staff said the historic-preservation committee has a $50,000 county grant and contractors were being contacted, with one quoted price of $3,600 to secure the building.
Resident Brian Burns presented findings from a November structural condition report for the Robert Marshall House, telling the council the report documents missing roof sheathing, missing bulkhead doors and a torn roof tarp that permit active water infiltration into the building. Burns said water intrusion is ongoing and pressed the council for a timeline to make the building weatherproof while longer-term restoration funding is pursued.
Burns said he provided copies of the structural-condition update to council and recommended immediate steps to protect the structure. Council staff and the mayor’s office confirmed the township’s historic-preservation/open-space effort recently received a $50,000 county grant that could be applied to the project. Staff noted a contractor price of $3,600 had been discussed to undertake immediate securing work to stop active water entry while bids and funding for restoration are pursued. Staff also said they were reluctant to use public‑works personnel because of the building’s historic nature and condition and were instead lining up private contractors.
Burns emphasized the urgency: “The existing roof sheathing is missing. This allows active water infiltration into the building.” Council members thanked Burns for his offer to advise on the project and acknowledged next steps to obtain contractor bids and apply available grant funding.
