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R <br />REGULAR MEETING <br />JULY 2, 1979 <br />10 <br />for $1400.00 since there.is a demand for this type of fencing <br />and it is worth considerably more than than. He said the area <br />residents should have some voice in what the City is going to do <br />in their neighborhood and said they object to the chain link <br />fence and would like to have the wrought iron fence restored. He <br />said the Board should consider historical significance and not <br />merely monetary factors. John Stamper of the Historical Preservation <br />Commission said the chain link fence will have a visual impact on <br />the neighborhood. He said the cost of wrought iron fencing is very <br />high and questioned the amount allowed by Morse Electric Company <br />for salvage rights to the fence. He said the Board should consider <br />leaving wrought iron fencing in the visible area along LaPorte Avenue. <br />Ruth Price, Southold Heritage Foundation, said the City has channeled <br />funds through the foundation for the restoration of the West Washington <br />Street neighborhood and it would appear that some alternative could <br />be considered with regard to the fencing that would be compatible <br />with what is being done in restoration in the area. The installation <br />of chain link fencing is a negative action in that neighborhood. <br />She noted that.a Vice President of the United States is buried in City <br />Cemetery and asked that the Board consider a compromise in the matter. <br />Rita Kopczynski, 618 W. Colfax, said she strongly protested the action <br />to install the chain link fence. She asked the Board to consider the <br />aesthetic impact of the fence. Neighbors are trying to improve their <br />properties and make their neighborhood a good one and this kind of <br />fence would destroy the image the residents are trying to maintain. <br />Floyd Carter asked the Board to consider the value of the old wrought <br />iron fence. Robert Niezgodski of the.Park Department gave a report <br />on the propoals received for restoring the wrought iron fence and noted <br />that the posts are rusted through and extensive repairs would be <br />needed. He cited the number of accidents occurring on LaPorte Avenue <br />where the fence has been damaged and noted the continued repair costs <br />to the City. There are repeated acts of vandalism and break -ins at <br />the cemetery. Headstones have been overturned, a mausoleum broken into, <br />flowers stolen and water taps turned on. The Park Department is <br />attempting to maintain the cemetery but money and manpower are limited. <br />He noted received a number of calls from residents on LaPorte Avenue <br />and Walnut Street who want the new fence installed. Mr. Moran asked <br />if there were statistics available on the extent of vandalism at City <br />Cemetery as opposed to other cemeteries in the City and noted that vandalism <br />will continue to occur. He said the City should not respond with this <br />type of fence to acts of vandalism. Mr. Mullen pointed out that while <br />vandalism is a part of the problem, the number of accidents where the <br />fence has been damaged and the high cost of maintenance of the present <br />fence are matters that the City must deal with. He noted the City has <br />a responsibility to maintain the cemetery. Debbie Vargo, LaPorte <br />Avenue, said the vandals enter the cemetery from the alley and not from <br />LaPorte Avenue and she asked if the wrought iron fence could be <br />maintained on LaPorte Avenue and the chain link fence put up on the <br />alley side where kids enter the cemetery. Jane Swan, 2022 Swygart <br />Street, noted that vandalism is prevalant in many areas and fencing <br />is not the answer . She noted that Walker Field has a high fence <br />with barbed wire on it and kids consistently climb the fence even <br />though the area is not enclosed. She also questioned the advisability <br />of the City giving salvage rights to the Contractor for the wrought <br />iron fence. Mr. Pullen said the City could explore the possibility <br />of retaining the wrought iron fence on LaPorte Avenue and installing <br />chain link fencing behind it. This would give residents the visual <br />effect of the old fencing. Mr. Moran said the residents strongly <br />object to the chain link fence with barbed wire being installed and <br />he asked if he could get a report on the number of acts of vandalism <br />occurring at City Cemetery. Mr. Brunner said vandalism is a problem <br />and his office has received a number of calls from people who want the <br />