FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Councilman John Bouvier (LHDB Liaison)
(631) 287-5745
September 25, 2018
Landmarks Maintenance Award Applications
Due December 28, 2018
Southampton – Owners who may have trouble maintaining their historic properties are urged to apply for a 2019 Landmarks Maintenance Program Award. This will be the sixth year of the program managed by the Southampton Landmarks & Historic Districts Board. The deadline for applications is Friday, December 28, 2018.
“These precious landmarks are a significant part of Southampton’s rich heritage and identity. Through the Landmarks Maintenance Award Program, we can encourage the protection and preservation of important buildings that are owned by concerned people under financial constraints,” said Councilman John Bouvier.
The Award Program supports projects that contribute to the preservation and long-term sustainability of designated properties. Example projects may include exterior improvements; structural stabilization;
window, door and shutter restoration; and the resolution of water-penetration issues. “We have awarded a total of about $78,000 to owners over the last five years,” according to Stephanie O. Davis, Vice-Chair of the Landmarks & Historic Districts Board. “Awards were made to designated Town Landmarks in Water Mill, East Quogue, Shinnecock Hills and Hampton Bays that applied for a variety of exterior maintenance conditions.”
To be eligible for the award, an historic resource must already have been designated a Town landmark. Owner-applicants are also required to have Basic or Enhanced School Tax Relief (STAR) status. The
work must be completed in a year and verified by a Landmarks & Historic Districts Board member.
“This provides another incentive to owners of undesignated historic resources to seek landmark designation. In addition to the maintenance award, local Town Landmarks are also eligible for a tax abatement program and a preservation easement acquisition,” according to Ms. Davis.
Owners interested in finding out if their property is one of the 980 identified historic resources in a 2014 Town Survey that might qualify for Town Landmark status and subsequent benefits should check the link “Southampton Historic Resources Survey (AKRF, 2014)” on the LHDB pages at http://www.southamptontownny.gov/390/Historical-Studies-Reports.
Ms. Davis indicated applications for a Southampton Town Landmark designation and for the Landmarks Maintenance Award can be found under “Applications & Forms” on the LHDB page of the Town’s
website :http://www.southamptontownny.gov/730/Applications-Forms. Questions can be addressed to any of the Landmarks Board members indicated on the Town website.
“Preserving our rich heritage here in Southampton is an obligation that we owe to future generations. The Landmark Maintenance Award is one of the important programs in Southampton that helps that heritage endure for years to come,” said Councilman Tommy John Schiavoni.
