City of Wheaton Historic Commission met Sept. 19
Here are the minutes provided by the commission:
I. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:10 pm
Present In-person – Louise Ferrebee (Chair), Bob Purdy (Secretary), Nancy Flannery, Sophia Ruffolo, Joe Szczepaniak. Absent – Lisa Buchanan, Emelie Engling
II. Public Comments
None
III. Approval of August Minutes
Approved on a motion by Sophia, seconded by Louise, and passed unanimously.
IV. Old Business
• Wheaton Register of Historic Places (WRHP)
o Application Form revisions: Changes made by commissioners on Sharepoint were reviewed. Louise will make changes and post the new form to the website.
o Research Process document: Revisions made previously were discussed; Louise is posting the new document to the website.
o Past Applications: Louise questioned two former applications that were later withdrawn. One of them has a new owner and the other was for a house that was found to be moved from Wayne IL.
• Walking Tours on Historic Register Map—adding more text in GIS map:
This project update was tabled until October meeting.
V. New Business
• Discussion and vote on 815 N Scott register application
Approved with amendments by Nancy which add biographical information about former owners Isaac & Alberta Wheaton. Motion by Joe, seconded by Sophia, passed unanimously.
Louise to notify applicant/owner.
• Annual Report due October 15: Louise will be completing the 2022 Activities and the 2024 goals and submitting to the City.
• Preservation Month 2024 ideas and plans:
Two ideas for Ostberg talks were discussed and enthusiastically supported: Railroads of Wheaton in May, and Cemeteries of Wheaton for October. Bob to notify the Ostbergs and begin coordinating lecture dates with the Library and City videographer.
• Event Recaps
o Smashed: Wheaton Train Wrecks” lecture by Bob Goldsborough
This was a resounding success with approximately 100 attendees, with many on the wait list. Bob’s talks are popular and the sellout attendance illustrates the quality of his email list.
o French Market publicity effort
Louise and Sophia reported a very successful exhibit at the September 2 French Market.
An estimated 30-40 people expressed Interest in the Historic Commission. Our table and information proved to be valuable way to create awareness. One more date is available this year, and we hope to have three more opportunities in 2024.
VI. Miscellaneous
• Status: Applicants for vacant positions
This was tabled until the October meeting.
• How To Guide (previously Policy and Procedures) now updated
Commissioners were reminded to review the revisions on SharePoint.
VII. Commissioner Comments
• Joe – Praised the French Market presence; showed Louise’s photographs of the exhibit.
• Bob – Described five upcoming lectures about area railroads plus the Prairie Path; all are sponsored by the DuPage County Historical Museum.
• Nancy – Thanked Emelie Engling for her devoted 24 years of service to the Commission.
Mayor Suess will be similarly writing to Emelie as her term ends in October.
VIII. Adjournment
Bob moved to adjourn, Joe seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. The meeting concluded at 9:08 pm.
https://www.wheaton.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_09192023-2379
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