Sunday, May 5, 2013
Work being done on Forks Township fixture for possible summer events.
The Cottage in the Woods is getting spruced up for summer. Forks Township Supervisors Chairman Erik Chuss reported this week that the controversial Zucksville Road structure—which was spared the wrecking ball after a rallying cry from residents—is starting to round into form. Public Works Director Mark Roberts informed the Board of Supervisors at Thursday night's work session meeting that the roof has been repaired on the cottage and that the outside trim in being sanded and painted, Chuss said. The board alllocated at least $15,000 for structure work. Chuss said that a lower cost alternative has been identified for mold remediation and officials will soon address that. He also said that a $4,000 grant has come through from JT Petrucci. …
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Forks Township supervisors will discuss a possible grant to help fund Cottage in the Woods improvements.
The issue has been as quiet as the house all winter. After a lengthy battle last year to preserve the controversial Cottage in the Woods in Forks Township, some signs of life are showing just as spring blossoms around the Zucksville Road home. Township officials have confirmed that at their monthly supervisors meeting next week they will consider a grant to help fund improvements at the empty stone structure. Supervisors Chairman Erik Chuss said the township has received "a very nice donation" offer from JT Petrucci of $4,000, contingent on a matching $4,000 contribution. "We will discuss it at an upcoming BoS regular meeting," Chuss said. Supervisors voted in September to save the historic cottage from the wrecking ball at a meeting at …
Friday, September 28, 2012
Cottage in the Woods got strong backing from Forks Township residents to ensure its future.
Ellie Reismeier was ready to pull out all the stops to save the "Cottage in the Woods." Knowing that the Forks Township Board of Supervisors was expected to decide on the fate of the controversial Zucksville Road home, Reismeier was ready to spring into action. She wanted to fire all her artillery at the supervisors, digging in her heels like the defenders of The Alamo against Santa Anna and the Mexican army. Reismeier first stated her vision for the cottage as a cultural center, a multi-use facility with an arboretum and a place for art galleries. She then turned it over to former supervisor Don Miller, who talked about his efforts to purchase the property for the township years ago. "This is a unique home. It's an asset to the township…
Sunday, September 23, 2012
The Forks Township Supervisors did the right thing by saving the Cottage in the Woods.
Thursday night was a great example of government at work. And it was also a great example that government does work. What's the bottom line you always hear about government? That politicians are supposed to serve the best interests of their constituents. That's just what the Forks Township Board of Supervisors did Thursday night in the decision to save the controversial "Cottage in the Woods" from a date with doom. If it was all about taxpayer dollars, then spending $8,000 to demolish the cottage may have been the easy way to go. But Forks supervisors made a difficult choice, a choice that probably saved all of their political hides as well. If there was an empty room in the council chambers, then maybe a decision to tear down the cottage …
Friday, September 21, 2012
Forks Township supervisors vote Thursday night to save historic cottage before full house.
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…
Thursday, September 20, 2012
The Forks Township Board of Supervisors is expected to decide the fate of the controversial "Cottage in the Woods" at its meeting Thursday night.
Tonight, it's for all the marbles. The fate of the controversial "Cottage in the Woods" on Zucksville Road is expected to be decided by the Forks Township Board of Supervisors at its meeting Thursday night. After months of debate and discussion, the bottom line comes down to whether township officials want to spend possibly up to $70,000 to refurbish the 700 Zucksville Road township-owned property. Or is it best to spend maybe a seventh of that and tear down the building, which has been invaded by mold. Spend $10,000 to demolish it or between $50,000 and $70,000 to spare it? It's a difficult decision for any supervisor. For one thing, about six months or so ago, the cottage wasn't even on anyone's radar. "I'm surprised at the response," …
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
As decision nears Thursday, numerous usage options outlined for "Cottage in the Woods."
The fate of the controversial "Cottage in the Woods" comes down to a vote by the Forks Township supervisors Thursday. But if the township-owned Zucksville Road property survives the wrecking ball, how might it be used? That usage was discussed and debated at the supervisors' recent meeting. At 1,100 square feet, one question is what kind of usage could fill the space. "Because it's so small, is it functional?" Supervisor Dan Martyak wondered. Supervisors Chairman Erik Chuss and the Forks Area Art Society recently met in the township recreation building next door to see how accessible that spot was for meetings. He seemed to think that place would not work for meetings. So that may rule out one use for the cottage. "The cottage isn't really…
Monday, September 17, 2012
Forks Township Supervisors are expected to decide the fate of the 'Cottage in the Woods' at meeting Thursday.
It's decision time. The Forks Township Board of Supervisors is expected to decide the fate of the "Cottage in the Woods" at its meeting Thursday. The controversial Zucksville Road property has been a hot topic for the past few months in terms of whether it should be refurbished at a cost possibly reaching $70,000 or torn down. Here is the latest addition of Five Things to Know, showcasing what's to come during the third week of September. Our weekly feature every Monday takes a look at what's ahead of us for this week. Now that the weekend is in our rear-view mirror, we can get ready for news and information that might make your week a little lighter and brighter. 1. GymtiME, a new business in the Park Plaza at Sullivan Trail, is expected …
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Forks Township Supervisors receive mold report that will double original restoration costs.
The costs to save the controversial "Cottage in the Woods" have now doubled. The Forks Township Board of Supervisors received a report at its work session meeting last week on how much it would cost the rid the structure at 700 Zucksville Road of mold. "We looked at the mold, lead paint and asbestos and there's your dollar amount -- $28,000, with a worst case of $32,000," Township Manager John Cornell said. That's on top of the $23,000 township officials had already determined would give the building, which dates to the 1940s, a good scrubbing. The original amount was to replace the roof and windows. "The cost we're probably looking at is $50,000," Supervisors Chairman Erik Chuss said. "But it may be $60,000 or $70,000." The supervisors …
Monday, September 10, 2012
The Forks Township supervisors are expected to decide fate of controversial building.
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Monday, September 10, 2012
COMMUNITY FIRST
9:41 am on Monday, September 24, 2012
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