Historic Commission

Tuesday, December 20, 2022 I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:09 p.m. Present in person: Nancy Flannery (Chair), Joe Szczepaniak (Vice Chair), Louise Ferrebee, Bob Purdy, Sophia Ruffolo Present virtual: Stephen Beach, Lisa Buchanan Absent: Emelie Engling Public Comments: none II. Approval of Minutes Minutes of the November 15, 2022 meeting were approved on a motion by Louise, seconded by Bob, and passed unanimously. III. Old Business A. Revised Chair and Secretary responsibilities: Nancy reviewed these in detail, especially noting the changes in submission of the Minutes and also the Budget creation and approval process. The discussion was important and timely in view of the upcoming officer changes to be made in January B. Chicago, Aurora and Elgin site marker: Installation by Michael Bowen was done on November 23, with Mayor Suess and Assistant City Manager Duguay present, along with Nancy and Bob. C. Illinois Attorney General Case 2021CH000460: At the December 15 hearing the judge heard completed arguments for both the plaintiff motion to dismiss/settle and the defendant response. Next hearing will be January 31 at 11AM, at which the judge will either dismiss the motion or proceed to trial, which will likely include discovery. A Daily Herald reporter was present; she told Nancy she was interested in learning more about the WHPC and Alberta Adamson. D. Preservation Month: Brian & Joyce Ostberg have been scheduled for a May 9 lecture at the Library. The topic will be selected next month and a City video crew will be recording the talk. Two other lecture events, one by Bob Goldsborough and the other by Keith Letsche, are being planned for later in 2023. E. Publication of Wheaton and its Homes – letter from Alberta Adamson to Nancy Flannery: Although the letter states the book has a 1983 copyright and that any reprint needs to occur after 2053, the Historic Commission has no intention of  reprinting the entire book. The only portion to be reprinted would be the original 1892 publication, which is far more than 70 years old and therefore in the Public Domain. F. Wheaton Register of Historic Places application process revisions: Nancy will be formatting the draft document and application for presentation and a member vote in January. G. 315 S. Washington Register application: A motion to approve was made by Bob, seconded by Joe, and passed unanimously. H. Miscellaneous: 1. Louise reported that the photos on the You Know You’re From Wheaton Facebook account are being provided by Laurie Warfel and may be WHPC assets. Nancy will make inquiry to the Attorney General office about this. 2. Red Grange History Project. Sophia will conduct this and begin researching the many available sources. Bob agreed to send her Wheaton College historian contacts. IV. New Business A. 108 E. Wesley, former Wheaton Chamber of Commerce building: Nancy reported that this Historic Register property has been sold to Mesa Properties for $640,000. Sophia agreed to check Mesa to determine their plans. B. DuPage County Historical Society – DuPage Roots: Then and Now. We are members and Nancy shared the publication announcement and ordering information. V. Commissioner Comments None VI. Adjournment Louise moved to adjourn, Sophia seconded, the motion passed unanimously; the meeting concluded at 8:56 p.m. Signed Chair