With many questions raised about costs, potential uses, and other matters related to the possible preservation of its historic Central School building, Richland is calling for volunteers to help sort things out.
The plea was made during discussion of the matter at the March 13 public board of supervisors meeting. In particular, new supervisors and new staff were especially interested in what sort of utility a rehabilitated and preserved structure could provide; noting, for example, that there were no restrooms on the property.
In a conversation after the meeting, township Manager Leslie Huhn offered to receive interest from volunteers via lhuhn@richlandtownship.org, for forwarding to the township’s preservation board.
The discussion during the meeting began with a detailed presentation by an assistant to township Engineer Mike Schwartz, of Gilmore & Associates, on the condition of the structure. Later, Schwartz indicated he would be following up with an investigation of possible grant opportunities to help with any rehabilitation.
In a related matter later in the meeting, supervisors approved a resolution, to place a question on the May 16 primary election ballot, re continuing the 0.1 percent, “Open Space” portion of township residents’ earned income tax. Among a variety of uses, the renewal of the resulting fund would help allow for “developing, improving, designing, engineering, and maintaining historic lands.”
Regarding the historic Central School building, “hundreds of Richland Township students were educated there and it is a part of our rural history,” noted Kathy Fedorocsko, the township’s preservation board chair, in an email after the Mar. 13 meeting. “This is one of two remaining schoolhouses of the original nine that have not been converted into dwellings. There are still residents who attended it or were a part of the one-room school experience who would like the building to be saved.”
“Initially,” she continued, “it is our intent to stop the future deterioration of the building, with the idea of possibly restoring it when funds became available. So, for now, we’d like to: repair the slate on the roof that needs to be replaced, and redo the flashing around the chimney; repair the roof overhangs and fascia; make it bird and animal-proof; install a new attic window; paint the porch, windows, shutters, and doors; clean the entryway to allow people to look into the interior but not to enter or have access to the interior, given our ability to be there and have it open; look into porch post repair; trim the trees on the south side; and install (historic) signage.”
“We have ideas submitted for future uses, but of course, that requires funding to do the building repairs. We could use help with searching for grants. Two years ago, Heritage Conservancy was willing to match half the funding we needed to begin repairs.”
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