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Emmitsburg work group approves façade grant awards for most applicants, defers one for more information
Summary
On April 21 the Emmitsburg Sustainable Communities Work Group recommended approvals for nine façade-improvement applications (one with a reduced amount excluding landscaping) and deferred one application pending additional documentation; recommendations will be forwarded to the Maryland Historical Trust for final approval under state and federal preservation rules.
The Emmitsburg Sustainable Communities Work Group voted April 21 to recommend funding for the majority of applications seeking Community Legacy Grant help for façade work, approving projects ranging from roof replacements to brick repointing and exterior painting while asking for more information on one roof application.
The group—which oversees grants awarded through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)—had $75,000 from the FY2024 award and a combined FY24/FY25 available balance of $97,970 to allocate. Grants cover up to 50% of project costs, with a $12,500 maximum eligible per project, and the work group’s recommendations will be forwarded to the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) for final selection under the National Historic Preservation Act and the Maryland Historical Trust Act.
"I am honored to join the sustainable group," new member Silas Boce said during the meeting, which opened with a short round of introductions. Town planner Najila Hassan told the panel she had consulted DHCD on a porch question and relayed that "a covered porch can be added and be submitted for reimbursement," resolving whether a proposed new porch could qualify when compatible with historic guidance.
Committee chair Mark Long and other members examined each application in turn. They approved projects including exterior painting and brick repointing at 404 West Main; metal-roof replacements at multiple downtown properties; and a porch-roof and gutter replacement at 706 West Main, which the applicants described as a 75-year-old historic porch with active leaks. For one application at 448 East Main, the group agreed to remove landscaping and the sunken fire pit from the eligible scope (DHCD does not fund landscaping) and approved only the driveway and front-walk replacement, reducing the eligible award to about $4,075.
A roof application at 3222 East Main drew questions because the packet lacked a clear statement of need (age or active leaks) and sufficiently detailed photos. Chair Long said the application was "incomplete" and the group asked staff to request additional documentation before approving that project.
Leslie Free moved the final approval motion, which covered applications 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10 as submitted, with applicant 6 approved in reduced form excluding landscaping and applicant 3 excluded pending further information; Silas Boce seconded. The motion carried by voice vote and the work group recorded the decision as approved, to be forwarded to MHT for final review.
In committee discussion members repeatedly stressed the grant’s preservation standard: projects should preserve distinguishing historic and architectural qualities, repair rather than replace deteriorated features where feasible, and use compatible materials where replacement is necessary. Long offered an explanatory example when members discussed repointing brick, saying repointing involves placing new mortar between old brick to prevent water intrusion and maintain structural integrity.
Next steps: town staff will notify applicants of the committee’s recommendations, request additional information for the deferred 3222 East Main application, and submit the recommended projects to the Maryland Historical Trust for final eligibility and funding decisions. With no further public comment, Chair Long adjourned the meeting.
