[MassHistPres] Window Replacement in Historic Town Hall

[Tristram Metcalfe 3]

As you all may know, MPPF is only matching up to 300k(?),, BUT if  
they destroy the windows now,, they will be throwing away ALL other  
MPPF matching grants on that building and possibly every other  
building they control ,, since they would be empirically  
demonstrating a severe lack of concern and care of historic  
structure's fabric ,, thus ongoing losses of grants may carry into  
their future. MPPS wisely doesn't give gifts to those who destroy the  
purpose of the gift.

The window decision managers should look at NPS preservation tax  
credits eligibility to preserve which is free money up to 40% of the  
actual expense to do whatever NPS determines is eligible. They allow  
some changes,  adds and improvements to the original,, ONLY if  
necessary to the ongoing survivability of the fabric and structure.

It is my understanding they are more open minded about materials,  
i.e. where old growth wood which performed magnificently is no longer  
available and to force use of poor quality wood is an inferior and  
less stainable decision to man made materials which perform better  
than the original old wood, IF ,, not suffering the worst of man  
made,, its ugly tacky loss of charm in authenticity,, and IF it is  
NOT visible even up close.

Tris Metcalfe
Northampton

On Sep 10, 2010, at 11:52 AM, mdstarkey wrote:

> Hello,
>
>
>
> I think the issue here is the funding source. It is not MPPF.
>
>
>
> Marcia Starkey, Greenfield
>
>
>
> From: masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu [mailto:masshistpres- 
> bounces at cs.umb.edu] On Behalf Of Thomas Catalano
> Sent: Thursday, September 09, 2010 2:56 PM
> To: MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu
> Subject: [MassHistPres] Window Replacement in Historic Town Hall
>
>
>
> The town of Hamilton has a Town Hall that was built in the late  
> 1890's.  The Town's Capital Planning Committee, along with the Town  
> Manager, has applied for, and won a Federal Grant for energy  
> efficiency improvements. The manager is convinced that window  
> replacement is the only way to go and our local HDC feels otherwise.
>
>
>
> Does anyone have any experience in using the grant money for  
> restoration of the original sash along with addition of new storms?
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
>
>
>
>
> Thomas P. Catalano,
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>
>
> Chair Hamilton HDC
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>
>
> AIA, LEED AP
>
> President
>
> Catalano Architects
>
> 115 Broad Street, Fl 2
>
> Boston, MA 02110
>
> ph: 617.338.7447 ext 25
>
> fax: 617.338.6639  fax
>
>
>
> See Catalano Architects' Middletown, RI project in New England Home  
> Magazine
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>
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