Commission approves 33% initial disbursement to three rural preservation grant awardees; staff reports administrative approvals

The Commission approved an initial disbursement percentage of 33% for each of three Rural Historic Preservation Grant awardees: Henry Smeltzer Farm, Daniel James Farm and Libertytown Female Seminary. Historic Preservation Planner Amanda Whitmore told the Commission that 25%, 33% and 50% disbursement figures were presented and noted that contractors typically require up to one-third of project costs to begin work. Commissioner Mark Andros moved to approve a 33% initial disbursement to each awardee; Commissioner Kelley Berliner seconded and the motion passed 6-0-0-1.

Separately, staff provided administrative update details and reported that three administrative certificate approvals had been completed: the Henry Smeltzer Farm application (filed and deemed complete March 30) was approved on March 31 for in-kind rehabilitation and selective replacement of wood shutters and associated hardware, limited roofing repairs, and repair of exterior wood siding; the Daniel James Farm application (filed March 25) was approved April 1 for barn repointing using Type N mortar, with staff conditioning that new mortar match existing mortar in size, color, texture, joint width and profile; the Libertytown Female Seminary application (filed March 26) was approved April 1 with similar mortar-matching conditions.

Staff found the proposed work for each property would not destroy historic materials that characterize the properties and would comply with applicable preservation guidance cited in the minutes (Secretary of the Interior Standards; National Park Service Preservation Brief II for the Daniel James Farm).