Kim Trahan, an historic homeowner and member of OHPC, addresses the board during Monday night’s public hearing. (Photo by Wendy Post)
It was standing room only at the Village of Owego board meeting on Monday evening as a public hearing regarding a change to Local Law #3, which would enable the abolishment of the Owego Historic Preservation Commission (OHPC), was on the agenda.
Because there was such a large turnout, the maximum allowed capacity of 49 in the Village Board room was exceeded and the meeting was forced to move to the Legislative Conference Room at the Tioga County Building instead.
Prior to the public hearing, the floor was open for citizens to voice their concerns and recommendations to the Owego Village Board. Tempers started to flare on occasion as members of the public that support OHPC spoke, as well as several that were against OHPC.
By the end of the public comment session, and following words from Earl Hartman, who serves as a trustee for the Village of Owego as well as the OHPC commissioner, board members voted to table any action regarding the OHPC until their next scheduled board meeting on Nov. 6, at 56 Main St. in Owego versus the Elm Street location.
You can read more in this weekend’s print edition of The Owego Pennysaver Press.
I have had help with my historic house in choosing house colors and repairing my front porch. They were very helpful and gave literature to me so I could make my choices. I had no problems in working with this board. Owego Village is historical and should keep its houses & stores historical as possible.