LPOS settles on re-siding

#MIDDLEBURY

Paint peels from the wood siding on the farmhouse at Brookdale Farm (Fenn Farm) in Middlebury. A decision has been made to remove this siding and replace it with red cedar siding. (Terrence S. Mcauliffe photo)

 
By TERRENCE S. MCAULIFFE

Nearly four years after the Middlebury Land Preservation and Open Space Acquisition Committee (LPOS) began considering what to do about the weather-beaten siding on the farmhouse at Brookdale Farm (aka Fenn Farm), it has decided how to proceed. At its May 3 meeting, it announced a joint partnership with the Middlebury Land Trust (MLT) to replace the siding with new cedar clapboard siding instead of re-siding it with vinyl or attempting an expensive sanding and repainting of the current clapboards.

Committee members deliberated on what to do about the dilapidated siding as far back as May 2013 but made no decision due to the high cost of removing linseed oil from the clapboards before they could be painted. That labor-intensive undertaking was predicted to cost $25,000 or more, and it came with no guarantee the paint would adhere.

Vinyl siding was considered as an alternative in October 2016, but that option was not pursued because a conservation easement held by the MLT restricted changes to the farm buildings. The MLT had paid $400,000 of the $1.6-million cost of the 66-acre property in August 2006 in return for the farm’s preservation as a “model operating historic New England Farm.”

The contract specifically says “the house shall be maintained in its present configuration and color so that it remains a Victorian farm house. Small additions which are compatible with the architecture may be made so long as they are consistent with the character of a Victorian house. Thus, the kitchen may be upgraded with modern appliances so long as it looks like an upscale Victorian kitchen.”

At the March 1, 2017, meeting, members voted to get estimates for re-siding with red cedar clapboards. The bids were reviewed in executive session April 5 but no immediate decision was made. At the May 3, 2017, meeting, Chairman Ray Pietrorazio said he met with First Selectman Edward B. St. John and also with officers of the MLT to discuss the proposals.

In a memo of understanding to MLT attorney Curt Titus and town attorney Dana D’Angelo, Pietrorazio specified the contract would be between the MLT and the successful contractor, with the MLT overseeing the project to preserve its conservation interests and Pietrorazio acting as the clerk of the works. The town’s share of the siding contract will be $20,000, paid on completion of the work. The land trust will pay the balance.

MLT President Scott Peterson said, “Brookdale Farm is a joint project of the Middlebury Land Trust and the town. We are therefore helping out with re-siding the farmhouse in a historically appropriate manner. Preserving the historic character of the farm is in fact required by our easement. Our contribution and oversight of the project will save the town significant dollars. We are very pleased to be able to keep Brookdale Farm the Middlebury jewel that it is.”

Pietrorazio said a final decision on the contractor had not yet been made, nor was the exact cost known. Details of the work include removal and disposal of existing clapboard, installation of Tyvec® air infiltration wrap over the house sheathing, installation of ½ by 6-inch finger-jointed and primed cedar siding with the rough side out, aluminum flashing where required, Benjamin Moore oil-based exterior primer and white oil-based clapboard and trim paint.

Pietrorazio said window replacement was not part of the contract, but at St. John’s suggestion he would get estimates for them as well if they were needed. He said window replacements were unlikely, but might be done at the discretion of the MLT and handled as change orders so the siding work could be scheduled before too much time goes by.

The next regular LPOS meeting will be Wednesday, June 7, 2017 at 6 p.m. at Shepardson Community Center.