on its re-construction site. In the hands of a local artisan. It came down smoothly in a matter of days. Not weeks, not months and without need of multiple visits by engineers and architects and building inspectors and whatever other bureaucrats could be mustered as necessary to the task.
After a report, at no expense, had been provided saying the structure could no longer be moved in one piece,former Councillor MacEachern directed staff to retain an engineer and obtain another opinion. Several thousand tax dollars later and more staff and council time wasted, a report was received advising the structure could not be moved in one piece.
Specifications for dismantling and re-construction were prepared by staff which could not be followed. Bids were called and received and the lowest was close to half a million dollars.
Still without a site or a purpose. And with tax funds spent to no useful purpose.
A few weeks ago the new council accepted a plan from parks staff.
Since then, the ancient rotting structure was opened up to light and air and drying winds.Then scraped clean of eight years of animal defecation and putrefaction and mould and damp and infestation.
Its condition and plans for restoration were examined by an engineer familiar with the craft and given a stamp of approval.
Ceiling and attic floor was removed.
Last week, I was there for the start of the dormer and roof removal.By week-end it was mostly off. By the end of Tuesday, the roof was all gone and trim around doors and windows removed.
Yesterday morning, Wednesday,I drove past. The walls had started to be dismantled. When I drove past again before five o'clock in the afternoon, walls were all gone and transported to the site for re-construction.
There's a picture of the logs,neatly and precisely arranged in Peter Van Nostrand's yard, awaiting repairs.
Material is available from Harry Fry's barn, in the town works yard,improperly stored,with no plans contemplated for restoration or use.
The lesson from it all; a foundation needs to be formed of citizens committed to the town's heritage.We need more than advocates for the principle of preservation.
We need something other than the political body and the bureaucracy to make things happen.
Credit must be given to property owners who live and conduct business in heritage homes and spend their resources on restoration and maintenance. Their pride of ownership is the town's greatest asset.
If we are to save buildings like the Hartman House, we need an organised group with a firm commitment to developing and sourcing ways and means, independent of the political body to make that happen.
Does this mean the "Friends of the Petch House "
ReplyDeletewill be heard no more throughoutthe land ? As
someone with Ontario farm roots, I resented being
lectured about how to manage my heritage. Does
that woman from Richmond Hill know about the
remains of starving Indians being respectfully
reburied by the gates ?
If she knew, she might dig them up and be
"friends ".
I am so happy - I can go to bed at night and be able to fall asleep knowing that this is done.
ReplyDeleteCanadian Heritage people make me sick sometimes. They don't know old. Try walking around York in England and talk to me about old. This is just a shack that has no historic significance. It should be burned down.
Why a home is designated is in question also.It should not be solely in the interest of preventing development.
ReplyDeleteDid the Powers That Were ever give a reason
ReplyDeletefor putting so much effort into that place ? It
never made any sense to those of us who had seen,
touched and smelt the abandoned shell.
The answer could be in the town accepting the anonymous donation.
ReplyDeleteThey had no way of returning it and felt bound to complete the resurrection of the rotting copse that is the Petch house.