With much work ahead, a new member is being sought for the town of Malta’s Historic Preservation Review Commission (HPRC) following the retirement of Judith Gatzi-Mullin, who served for 12 years, most recently as vice-chairperson.
The committee is charged with identifying historic landmarks and working with owners of historically significant buildings who want to make upgrades. HPRC chairman Steve Rutkey said he’d like to see the committee total 7 to 9 volunteers.
We’d like to have someone with an architectural or engineering background, or even better, someone who owns a historic property or structure, because we presently don’t have a committee member like this, said Rutkey.
Gatzi-Mullin said she joined the committee because of her background in history.
`I’ve always had a deep interest in history, and I saw an opening for the committee and wrote (former town supervisor) Dave Meager,` said Gatzi-Mullin. `I think what I’ve brought to the committee is some good old fashioned grounding. I’ve always wanted to make sure no one forgets what our little town is about. We need to preserve our history.`
Gatzi-Mullin, who formerly lived in the town of Clifton Park, has been a town resident since 1990.
`When I moved to Malta, there was no grocery store, no fast food chain, no center of town,` said Gatzi-Mullin. `Things are changing so quickly now, and although growth is necessary, I don’t want to see us becoming another Wolf Road. We do need retail, but we’ll never be a Saratoga Springs. We’re definitely a rural community.`
Gatzi-Mullin said she’d like to stir interest among town residents to become more familiar with historic structures, landmarks and properties before developments are approved that threaten them.
`We have some great old barns and farmhouses. People need to take a Sunday drive on the back roads rather than using the Northway, or Route 9,` said Gatzi-Mullin. `Go through Jonesville across Eastline and to Old Post Road. People should cherish these old homes.`
Rutkey agreed that residents should be aware of the need to safeguard historic sites.
`Development is a challenge,` said Rutkey. `Sub-division proposals come in and developers have made no plans for the homesteads that may sit on those sites, and the homes get demolished. There are so many sporadic farm houses that aren’t magnificent, but are historically important.`
Rutkey said he is concerned with a trend to remove barns and homesteads and instead place a plaque or small landmark sign.
`To preserve a home in its original location is by far the best option,` said Rutkey. `We have designated a long list of historic sites in Malta, but only a dozen or so are actual buildings.`
Rutkey said much of the responsibility falls on the developers and the town boards governing new construction, including the planning and zoning boards.
`Everyone involved needs to go to a site and see what’s significant about it without destroying what’s there,` said Rutkey. `In my mind, I look at a location that contains a historic structure to be off limits to development. There’s still the American attitude out there that they can do whatever they want with land. Take a look at a town map`there’s so much land out there, and all we’re asking is that developers protect these small footprints where the homes and barns have been for years.`
The committee also works with owners of historic homes who are faced with ongoing repairs needed to keep up to code.
`We can’t allow these homes to fall into disrepair, because they’re considered significant to the community,` said Rutkey. `But we recognize there are incredible costs incurred to fix up these homes, so we work with people on seeking grant opportunities and tax credits. The bottom line is that we want to help as much as we can so these buildings can be maintained for decades to come.`
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