Frances Dancy, a Hillsborough Town Board member, introduced “the man affectionately known as Mayor Tom,” at the State of the Town address at the Central Orange Senior Center Tuesday evening.
Tom Stevens is serving his third term as Mayor of Hillsborough. His speech Tuesday night reflected what accomplishments the town has made over the last year and the challenges that lie ahead.
Attendees at the event showed their support for Stevens and the vision that he has laid out for the town during his time in office. Stevens said his goals for the town directly reflect citizen feedback.
“I would like to see the town stay small and continue to go green and keep its unique historical character,” said Mary McCarthy, a retired Hillsborough resident.
Stevens said his top level objectives for this year are to improve the town’s services, increase citizen involvement, preserve natural resources, reduce crime, expand recreation and enhance community sustainability.
These goals are influenced by the results of an annual citizen survey that was implemented three years ago.
This year’s results show that the majority of those surveyed feel safe in Hillsborough and believe that the town government is spending their tax dollars wisely.
Clarence Birkhead, Hillsborough chief of police, said, “I read every single one of those comments.”
Birkhead, who recently announced his candidacy for Sheriff, is proud of the double-digit decreases in crime that the town has seen over the last two years.
The survey also echoes some of the challenges facing the town, like the traffic problems on Churton St. and the lack of parking.
Possibly the biggest issue facing the town this year, however, is the 13 percent decrease in revenue for the General Fund and the 22 percent decrease in the Water Fund.
Stevens said that it will be a struggle to try to provide the same quality of services while making budget cuts.
“We’re nervous about the budget,” said Stevens. “I would like to give our hard-working employees the raises they deserve, but I also definitely do not want to raise taxes.”
This challenge adds on to the 18 percent decrease that the General Funds faced last year.
Stevens said he is confident that this year’s projects, such as the completion of Gold Park, are “do-able” with the help of grants.
While Hillsborough may have strong community watch groups and many active volunteers, Stevens’ goal of increased citizen involvement faces many hurdles.
Dancy said, “It is definitely a challenge to get young people involved in local government.”
“There is a big difference in the way we communicate,” said Stevens. “I am just learning how to Tweet after all!”
The audience for the address consisted mostly of town employees and volunteers.
“I wish more people would come to events like this so that they could learn about more ways to get involved,” said McCarthy.
Dancy said: “I feel like the biggest reason more people aren’t involved is time. It is certainly a time commitment when you are part of a board. I know how hard it is to have to worry about going to a meeting when you have dinner to cook. I haven’t even eaten dinner yet!”
Well past 8 p.m., Dancy said she is one of many committed residents of the town and that she is happy to put in the effort if it makes a difference in her community.
Dancy just has one rule, “No politics after Friday!”
Stevens concluded the speech with the sentiment that got him elected, “I am proud that Hillsborough acts as a showcase of what is right about small town America.”
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Hillsborough Mayor to give town address Tuesday
Mayor Tom Stevens will deliver the 2010 State of the Town address at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23 at the Central Orange Senior Center.
This fourth annual event is open to the public.
As in previous addresses, the mayor will outline major accomplishments of the last year, where the town is headed and how citizens can get involved.
“Last year was not business as usual for the town,” Stevens said. “And likewise, we can expect 2010 to be both challenging and defining. This will be, in many ways, the year of doing some really big things that people don’t see.”
He noted the town is working on a unified development ordinance as well as a transportation plan, which will build the foundation for a rail station and alleviate traffic on Churton Street.
“We’re laying a lot of the groundwork for things that are going to affect Hillsborough for the next few generations,” the mayor said.
As usual, attendees will have the opportunity to meet Hillsborough’s elected officials and town staff and to provide input about town government. Previous State of the Town addresses have been well attended, and town officials hope this year’s event will draw even more citizens.
“So many people contribute to making Hillsborough a great community,” Stevens said. “This is an occasion not only to discuss the future vision of our town but also to celebrate and acknowledge milestones and accomplishments along the way.”
The Central Orange Senior Center is adjacent to the Triangle SportsPlex at 103 Meadowland Drive off U.S. 70-A in Hillsborough.
This fourth annual event is open to the public.
As in previous addresses, the mayor will outline major accomplishments of the last year, where the town is headed and how citizens can get involved.
“Last year was not business as usual for the town,” Stevens said. “And likewise, we can expect 2010 to be both challenging and defining. This will be, in many ways, the year of doing some really big things that people don’t see.”
He noted the town is working on a unified development ordinance as well as a transportation plan, which will build the foundation for a rail station and alleviate traffic on Churton Street.
“We’re laying a lot of the groundwork for things that are going to affect Hillsborough for the next few generations,” the mayor said.
As usual, attendees will have the opportunity to meet Hillsborough’s elected officials and town staff and to provide input about town government. Previous State of the Town addresses have been well attended, and town officials hope this year’s event will draw even more citizens.
“So many people contribute to making Hillsborough a great community,” Stevens said. “This is an occasion not only to discuss the future vision of our town but also to celebrate and acknowledge milestones and accomplishments along the way.”
The Central Orange Senior Center is adjacent to the Triangle SportsPlex at 103 Meadowland Drive off U.S. 70-A in Hillsborough.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Hillsborough has big expenses in the 2011 fiscal year
The town of Hillsborough has mapped out its budget initiatives for the 2011 fiscal year, and they included over $1 million for vehicle replacements.
The replacement of a 21-year-old fire truck for the Orange Rural Fire Department that serves Hillsborough will cost about $1.03 million.
The current fire truck is a 1989 Aerial 272, which has a 75-foot ladder and the ability to hold 400 gallons of water. The truck has outdated safety features and a frame that is too small to hold all of the necessary equipment.
Jeff Cabe, chief of the Orange County Fire Department, said, “I have been with the fire department for 21 years and I remember taking this truck to its first fire.”
Cabe said that the truck is past due for replacement.
“Manufacturers are only required to carry a specific model’s parts for 10 years,” Cabe said. “So we have been scraping for parts to try to maintain the vehicle.”
Emily Bradford, the budget management analyst for Hillsborough, said, “There was no funding for vehicle replacement in last year’s budget or the current budget.”
“We have been putting off these expenses,” said Bradford.
Eric Peterson, the town manager, said: “No vehicle and equipment replacements took place last year as one of the many steps to avoid raising taxes and water/sewer rates. The town did not raise taxes or water/sewer rates last year in the heart of the recession.”
The town took other cost-cutting measures last year including cutting employee raises and deferring and cutting many other project requests like parks, street re-paving and sidewalk construction.
In addition to the fire truck, a 14-year-old “knuckleboom” truck that’s used for bulk item and tree/limb collection needs to be replaced. It has required over $11,000 in repairs over the last two years.
Peterson said, “At $115,000 it is also an expensive piece of equipment, but a critical part of the town's operations. The vehicle's age, repair costs for maintaining the truck in frontline duty, as well as increased down time are three key factors that tell us it's time to replace this vehicle.”
Three police vehicles totaling approximately $91,000 also need to be replaced. One of the vehicles has more than 180,000 miles.
Peterson said that the town has gotten more years and miles out of the vehicles than expected.
However, the current fire truck’s condition could be a safety issue. Cabe said that the truck cannot account for the many of the changes in streetscape over the last 21 years and with all of the new innovations available, the current truck simply cannot do all of the functions needed to serve the community.
“It’s not like our water truck, which if it breaks down is just like you call AAA and that’s it,” said Cabe. “When something goes wrong I could have a guy 75 feet in the air and that’s when injuries happen.”
Right now, the department boasts a 6-to-7 minute response time and usually has about 1400 emergency response calls per year.
“But, if the equipment starts failing, it will be much harder to get help to the scene,” said Cabe.
The Orange Rural Fire Department has also applied for a $400,000 grant to try to offset the cost. These grants are competitive but they have received funding in the past for important equipment like the “air packs” that allow the fire fighters to avoid smoke inhalation.
“We are trying to make a million-dollar project happen without spending that much,” said Cabe.
The total town revenues for Hillsborough in 2010 were down 18 percent from 2009.
The projected expenditure of the 2011 budget is $14.5 million, about half of which is used for water and sewer expenditures.
The total amount of the replacement vehicles therefore comprise about 1/7th of the General Fund budget.
“As far as paying for the items, we will use something called an installment-purchase agreement,” said Peterson. He estimated that the “knuckleboom” will likely be financed over a five-year period and the ladder truck for the fire department would probably be financed over a seven-to-10 year period.
“We just want to continue to work hard and save as much money as we can,” said Cabe. “And if the money doesn’t come we just have to keep doing what we are here to do as best we can.”
“I'd say that we delayed the replacement of both the ladder truck and ‘knuckleboom’ truck for two to three years because … we were able to ‘squeeze’ a few extra years of front line service out of the vehicles, thus helping to avoid tax and rate increases for the citizens,” said Peterson.
The replacement of a 21-year-old fire truck for the Orange Rural Fire Department that serves Hillsborough will cost about $1.03 million.
The current fire truck is a 1989 Aerial 272, which has a 75-foot ladder and the ability to hold 400 gallons of water. The truck has outdated safety features and a frame that is too small to hold all of the necessary equipment.
Jeff Cabe, chief of the Orange County Fire Department, said, “I have been with the fire department for 21 years and I remember taking this truck to its first fire.”
Cabe said that the truck is past due for replacement.
“Manufacturers are only required to carry a specific model’s parts for 10 years,” Cabe said. “So we have been scraping for parts to try to maintain the vehicle.”
Emily Bradford, the budget management analyst for Hillsborough, said, “There was no funding for vehicle replacement in last year’s budget or the current budget.”
“We have been putting off these expenses,” said Bradford.
Eric Peterson, the town manager, said: “No vehicle and equipment replacements took place last year as one of the many steps to avoid raising taxes and water/sewer rates. The town did not raise taxes or water/sewer rates last year in the heart of the recession.”
The town took other cost-cutting measures last year including cutting employee raises and deferring and cutting many other project requests like parks, street re-paving and sidewalk construction.
In addition to the fire truck, a 14-year-old “knuckleboom” truck that’s used for bulk item and tree/limb collection needs to be replaced. It has required over $11,000 in repairs over the last two years.
Peterson said, “At $115,000 it is also an expensive piece of equipment, but a critical part of the town's operations. The vehicle's age, repair costs for maintaining the truck in frontline duty, as well as increased down time are three key factors that tell us it's time to replace this vehicle.”
Three police vehicles totaling approximately $91,000 also need to be replaced. One of the vehicles has more than 180,000 miles.
Peterson said that the town has gotten more years and miles out of the vehicles than expected.
However, the current fire truck’s condition could be a safety issue. Cabe said that the truck cannot account for the many of the changes in streetscape over the last 21 years and with all of the new innovations available, the current truck simply cannot do all of the functions needed to serve the community.
“It’s not like our water truck, which if it breaks down is just like you call AAA and that’s it,” said Cabe. “When something goes wrong I could have a guy 75 feet in the air and that’s when injuries happen.”
Right now, the department boasts a 6-to-7 minute response time and usually has about 1400 emergency response calls per year.
“But, if the equipment starts failing, it will be much harder to get help to the scene,” said Cabe.
The Orange Rural Fire Department has also applied for a $400,000 grant to try to offset the cost. These grants are competitive but they have received funding in the past for important equipment like the “air packs” that allow the fire fighters to avoid smoke inhalation.
“We are trying to make a million-dollar project happen without spending that much,” said Cabe.
The total town revenues for Hillsborough in 2010 were down 18 percent from 2009.
The projected expenditure of the 2011 budget is $14.5 million, about half of which is used for water and sewer expenditures.
The total amount of the replacement vehicles therefore comprise about 1/7th of the General Fund budget.
“As far as paying for the items, we will use something called an installment-purchase agreement,” said Peterson. He estimated that the “knuckleboom” will likely be financed over a five-year period and the ladder truck for the fire department would probably be financed over a seven-to-10 year period.
“We just want to continue to work hard and save as much money as we can,” said Cabe. “And if the money doesn’t come we just have to keep doing what we are here to do as best we can.”
“I'd say that we delayed the replacement of both the ladder truck and ‘knuckleboom’ truck for two to three years because … we were able to ‘squeeze’ a few extra years of front line service out of the vehicles, thus helping to avoid tax and rate increases for the citizens,” said Peterson.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Wooden Nickel: The coolest bar you've never heard of
…Unless of course, you’re a Hillsborough native.
In a town with a population of just under 6,000, this bar acts as the neighborhood watering hole where everybody knows everybody and newcomers are welcomed like family.
“People often ask if it’s a family bar,” said Jessica Myers, a bartender at the Wooden Nickel for two years. “We sure fight like brothers and sisters!”
Jackson Keel is a “regular” who has frequented the bar for just over a year.
“I did get kicked out once,” Keel said laughing as he pointed to Drew Bryant, another bartender at the Nickel who has worked there for three years.
“Yeah, I kicked him out,” said Bryant with the geniality and amicability of an old friend.
Stories shot back and forth from the bartenders and patrons recounting good times had at the small pub. One attempt at a bar-top dance ended in a loud crash to the floor and an “insane” Halloween party showed the towns’ creativity.
Just after 8 p.m. the bar was standing-room only. The walls were lined with full tables. A cowboy pin-up girl leaning on a cardboard fence stared down at them from a wall full of old pictures and obscure paintings.
Seated at the bar were regulars that the bartenders call by name. Bryant asked, “Another of the usual?”
“This bar is great because nine times out of 10, I will know exactly what they’re going to order when they walk in,” said Ted Gudeman, a four-and-a-half-year bartender at the Nickel enjoying his night off with fellow Hillsboroughians.
The center of the pub consisted of a thin bar top surrounded by a packed crowd and amidst scattered pint glasses. Loud and lively conversation filled the air.
The Wooden Nickel is owned by Matt Fox, who is well-liked by staff and regulars. Continuing the Nickel’s big, happy family reputation, Fox allegedly got rid of a straggling patron by threatening to call his wife.
“It’s a regulars bar where everybody knows everybody,” said Gudeman.
The bar has 125 different liquors to choose from, including rarities like Pimm’s and Blavod black vodka, seven beers on tap featuring local and regional craft brews as well as popular imports and a diverse wine list that offers something for every imbiber.
The menu is unapologetic and experimental. One patron was warning others about the aftermath involved with a house specialty, the fried banana peppers. A neighbor at the bar ranted about the house-cured smoked salmon sandwich with fried broccoli that he had just devoured.
“The food is always so fresh here too,” said Keel. “Even the wings aren’t frozen.”
This bar doesn’t house the usual counter-top bell to alert bartenders of dishes ready to be served. Instead, the cooks give the back of the shared keg-wall a couple of punches to get the message across.
The bar has been the Wooden Nickel for five years. The Tupelo Tavern was its predecessor, a less-successful bar only open four days a week, covered in carpet and carrying a much more limited bar selection.
“The Nickel is open seven days a week,” said Gudeman. “And we are busy every one of them.”
The characters inside are nothing short of interesting.
“It has a little bit of everything,” said Myers. “It’s a gay bar, it’s a redneck bar… we serve all kinds of people here.”
“It’s a freaking great bar,” said Brian Harper, a Hillsborough resident. “I am from a small town in Wyoming and this reminds me so much of that.” Harper provides medical consultation to injured scuba divers for a living. And “no,” he assured me, he was “not making that up.”
There may be a recession going on, but this pub isn’t feeling the hit.
Myers said that the bar was more seasonally affected than directly reflective of the economy. January is always slow, when people are trying to stick to their New Years resolutions and are feeling fat from the holidays. But by early February, as evidenced by the cozy bar packed shoulder-to-shoulder, everyone has given up on those resolutions and headed back to the Nickel.
“People drink when they’re happy, when they’re sad, when they’re broke and when they’re rich,” said Myers.
The pub is a main social scene in the town of Hillsborough.
“Since I moved here a year ago from Durham this has been my social connection to the community,” said Victoria Flynn. “This is where I met most of my good friends.”
“You’ll never find a place like it,” said Jonathon Whitford, a Hillsborough resident speaking of the Nickel’s unique character.
Gabby Hoyt was born in Hillsborough and after moving away for two years, re-connected with old friends at the Nickel.
“It’s a great place to run into old friends and meet new ones,” said Hoyt, as she pointed affectionately to the people sitting beside her.
Adam Rosemond has been a frequent customer of the Nickel for five years even though he has moved out of the area.
“It’s just a very accepting bar with great service and good beer,” said Rosemond. “What more could you ask for?”
In a town with a population of just under 6,000, this bar acts as the neighborhood watering hole where everybody knows everybody and newcomers are welcomed like family.
“People often ask if it’s a family bar,” said Jessica Myers, a bartender at the Wooden Nickel for two years. “We sure fight like brothers and sisters!”
Jackson Keel is a “regular” who has frequented the bar for just over a year.
“I did get kicked out once,” Keel said laughing as he pointed to Drew Bryant, another bartender at the Nickel who has worked there for three years.
“Yeah, I kicked him out,” said Bryant with the geniality and amicability of an old friend.
Stories shot back and forth from the bartenders and patrons recounting good times had at the small pub. One attempt at a bar-top dance ended in a loud crash to the floor and an “insane” Halloween party showed the towns’ creativity.
Just after 8 p.m. the bar was standing-room only. The walls were lined with full tables. A cowboy pin-up girl leaning on a cardboard fence stared down at them from a wall full of old pictures and obscure paintings.
Seated at the bar were regulars that the bartenders call by name. Bryant asked, “Another of the usual?”
“This bar is great because nine times out of 10, I will know exactly what they’re going to order when they walk in,” said Ted Gudeman, a four-and-a-half-year bartender at the Nickel enjoying his night off with fellow Hillsboroughians.
The center of the pub consisted of a thin bar top surrounded by a packed crowd and amidst scattered pint glasses. Loud and lively conversation filled the air.
The Wooden Nickel is owned by Matt Fox, who is well-liked by staff and regulars. Continuing the Nickel’s big, happy family reputation, Fox allegedly got rid of a straggling patron by threatening to call his wife.
“It’s a regulars bar where everybody knows everybody,” said Gudeman.
The bar has 125 different liquors to choose from, including rarities like Pimm’s and Blavod black vodka, seven beers on tap featuring local and regional craft brews as well as popular imports and a diverse wine list that offers something for every imbiber.
The menu is unapologetic and experimental. One patron was warning others about the aftermath involved with a house specialty, the fried banana peppers. A neighbor at the bar ranted about the house-cured smoked salmon sandwich with fried broccoli that he had just devoured.
“The food is always so fresh here too,” said Keel. “Even the wings aren’t frozen.”
This bar doesn’t house the usual counter-top bell to alert bartenders of dishes ready to be served. Instead, the cooks give the back of the shared keg-wall a couple of punches to get the message across.
The bar has been the Wooden Nickel for five years. The Tupelo Tavern was its predecessor, a less-successful bar only open four days a week, covered in carpet and carrying a much more limited bar selection.
“The Nickel is open seven days a week,” said Gudeman. “And we are busy every one of them.”
The characters inside are nothing short of interesting.
“It has a little bit of everything,” said Myers. “It’s a gay bar, it’s a redneck bar… we serve all kinds of people here.”
“It’s a freaking great bar,” said Brian Harper, a Hillsborough resident. “I am from a small town in Wyoming and this reminds me so much of that.” Harper provides medical consultation to injured scuba divers for a living. And “no,” he assured me, he was “not making that up.”
There may be a recession going on, but this pub isn’t feeling the hit.
Myers said that the bar was more seasonally affected than directly reflective of the economy. January is always slow, when people are trying to stick to their New Years resolutions and are feeling fat from the holidays. But by early February, as evidenced by the cozy bar packed shoulder-to-shoulder, everyone has given up on those resolutions and headed back to the Nickel.
“People drink when they’re happy, when they’re sad, when they’re broke and when they’re rich,” said Myers.
The pub is a main social scene in the town of Hillsborough.
“Since I moved here a year ago from Durham this has been my social connection to the community,” said Victoria Flynn. “This is where I met most of my good friends.”
“You’ll never find a place like it,” said Jonathon Whitford, a Hillsborough resident speaking of the Nickel’s unique character.
Gabby Hoyt was born in Hillsborough and after moving away for two years, re-connected with old friends at the Nickel.
“It’s a great place to run into old friends and meet new ones,” said Hoyt, as she pointed affectionately to the people sitting beside her.
Adam Rosemond has been a frequent customer of the Nickel for five years even though he has moved out of the area.
“It’s just a very accepting bar with great service and good beer,” said Rosemond. “What more could you ask for?”
Colonial Inn Update
The Board of Adjustment met Wednesday evening and ruled to extend the appeal of Francis Henry until March, 10.
According to the testimony of Margaret Hauth, Henry only completed five out of the 12 repairs listed on the order issued this time last year.
The appeal was not filed under a lack of funds provision.
Henry did not attend the meeting.
As "one final chance," Henry will be able to present his side of the case to the board on March 10. If he does not attend that meeting, however, they will not postpone it another time.
According to the testimony of Margaret Hauth, Henry only completed five out of the 12 repairs listed on the order issued this time last year.
The appeal was not filed under a lack of funds provision.
Henry did not attend the meeting.
As "one final chance," Henry will be able to present his side of the case to the board on March 10. If he does not attend that meeting, however, they will not postpone it another time.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Colonial Inn Despute Continues
The Hillsborough Board of Adjustment will meet on Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. and will review the appeal submitted by Francis Henry of the Colonial Inn, LLC according to its agenda.
The appeal is to the zoning officer’s decision that the repairs completed at the Colonial Inn were insufficient to satisfy the repair order issued pursuant to the “prevention of demolition by neglect” provisions of the zoning ordinance.
The property is located at 153 West King Street in Hillsborough.
Margaret Hauth, Planning Director of Hillsborough, said that after a
complaint arose under the revised ordinance, the planning department gave him a list of 12 repairs to make by the end of last year.
The town has stated that the owner, Francis Henry, needed to bring the building into compliance or that the town would be forced to take legal action.
Henry has filed an appeal and the Board of Adjustment will review it
Wednesday evening.
Henry will be unable to attend the meeting, but the board might decide to grant him an extension in his absence.
Henry purchased the property at a foreclosure auction in 2002.
Currently, the property is zoned as a residential, single-family occupancy.
Henry now lives in the top portion of the inn.
“He has not applied to re-zone the inn for any other use,” said Hauth.
The inn was built in 1838 and throughout the mid-1900s, it served as a boarding residence, tourist hotel and dining facility and attracted visitors from all over.
Nancy Baity, a former Hillsborough resident, is nostalgic about her
memories of the inn.
Baity said: “I used to work at the Colonial Inn as a waitress. I was in the eighth grade, in 1968, before my family moved to Florida. It was my first job ever. I can't believe it's in such disrepair. It has such historical value.”
Pictures of the inn from it’s most flourishing period in the twentieth
century show a two-story, nine-bay façade striking for its balcony
over the whole length of the front porch, both of which are supported by handsome paired columns.
The memory of this historic landmark is now just that for the town of Hillsborough.
What stands now a decrepit building in dire need of repair.
A yellow fungus devours a drainpipe near rows of uneven and decaying siding. Sheets of tar paper bandage old windows and some flaps act as rodent doggie-doors.
Joe Otto, a manger for the visitor’s center at the Alliance for
Historic Hillsborough, said that the inn holds a special place in many residents' hearts
“It is a hot-button issue for many people here in Hillsborough,” said
Otto. “I still hear people reminiscing about eating Sunday brunch
there years ago.”
If the board does rule in favor of the Hillsborough planning staff on
Wednesday they will move forward with legal action.
The appeal is to the zoning officer’s decision that the repairs completed at the Colonial Inn were insufficient to satisfy the repair order issued pursuant to the “prevention of demolition by neglect” provisions of the zoning ordinance.
The property is located at 153 West King Street in Hillsborough.
Margaret Hauth, Planning Director of Hillsborough, said that after a
complaint arose under the revised ordinance, the planning department gave him a list of 12 repairs to make by the end of last year.
The town has stated that the owner, Francis Henry, needed to bring the building into compliance or that the town would be forced to take legal action.
Henry has filed an appeal and the Board of Adjustment will review it
Wednesday evening.
Henry will be unable to attend the meeting, but the board might decide to grant him an extension in his absence.
Henry purchased the property at a foreclosure auction in 2002.
Currently, the property is zoned as a residential, single-family occupancy.
Henry now lives in the top portion of the inn.
“He has not applied to re-zone the inn for any other use,” said Hauth.
The inn was built in 1838 and throughout the mid-1900s, it served as a boarding residence, tourist hotel and dining facility and attracted visitors from all over.
Nancy Baity, a former Hillsborough resident, is nostalgic about her
memories of the inn.
Baity said: “I used to work at the Colonial Inn as a waitress. I was in the eighth grade, in 1968, before my family moved to Florida. It was my first job ever. I can't believe it's in such disrepair. It has such historical value.”
Pictures of the inn from it’s most flourishing period in the twentieth
century show a two-story, nine-bay façade striking for its balcony
over the whole length of the front porch, both of which are supported by handsome paired columns.
The memory of this historic landmark is now just that for the town of Hillsborough.
What stands now a decrepit building in dire need of repair.
A yellow fungus devours a drainpipe near rows of uneven and decaying siding. Sheets of tar paper bandage old windows and some flaps act as rodent doggie-doors.
Joe Otto, a manger for the visitor’s center at the Alliance for
Historic Hillsborough, said that the inn holds a special place in many residents' hearts
“It is a hot-button issue for many people here in Hillsborough,” said
Otto. “I still hear people reminiscing about eating Sunday brunch
there years ago.”
If the board does rule in favor of the Hillsborough planning staff on
Wednesday they will move forward with legal action.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Goat Patrol Postponed
Due to inclement weather, the goats will not be on the town hall grounds on Feb. 2.
The Tree Board chair has reported that the Goat Patrol is now scheduled for Feb. 11, weather permitting.
The Tree Board chair has reported that the Goat Patrol is now scheduled for Feb. 11, weather permitting.
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