They saw the crowd of nearly 50 people. They were presented with a petition of 634 signatures. They heard the impassioned speeches.

And then the Forks Township Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Thursday night to save the controversial "Cottage in the Woods," sparing it from the wrecking ball.

Before a full house, the board made a motion not to demolish the 700 Zucksville Road home, but to alllocate at least $15,000 to get work going to preserve it by sealing it for the winter.

"It's like a gingerbread house," said Supervisor Dan Martyak, who this past weekend toured the home and its grounds. "It needs a little tender loving care."

"We need to preserve it," Supervisors David Billings said. "This is an opportunity for Forks Township. We don't have a lot of woods."

"In my eyes, demolition was not an option," Supervisor John O'Neil stated.

The vote was 4-0. Supervisor Bob Egolf was absent.

Supervisors Chairman Erik Chuss, who outlined the potential $80,000 in rehabilitation costs to residents, believed that transforming the cottage into a cultural center is "money that will be well spent."

"It's an absolutely charming building," Chuss said. "It will be a great showpiece for the township."