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CITY OF WESTMINSTER
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION AGENDA
Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at 6 PM
City Hall, 1838 Emerald Hill Lane, Westminster, MD 21157
1. Call To Order
Statement of Authority — The Westminster Historic District Commission derives its
authority from Chapter 164, Article 9A of the City Code, which is authorized by
Maryland Code Annotated, Land Use Article, Division 1, Single Jurisdiction Planning and
Zoning, Title 8, Historic Preservation. The qualifications of the Westminster Historic
District Commission are on file at the City Administration Building, 45 West Main Street;
the file is open to the public – Chair
2. Approval Of Minute Summary
September 3, 2025
October 1, 2025
November 5, 2025
Documents:
HISTORIC DISTRICT MEETING - SEPTEMBER 2025.PDF
HISTORIC DISTRICT MEETING - OCTOBER 2025.PDF
CITY OF WESTMINSTER 11-5-25 HDC MINUTES.PDF
3. New Business
3.I. Item A: Annual History Expo (J. Adkins, DCPD)
Exhibitor registration is now open for the Annual History Expo taking place on
Saturday, February 28 at Winters Mill High School. This is the big event held in
conjunction with local National History Day student competition organized by Carroll
County Public Schools.
3.II. Item B: Save The Date For Westminster Cemetery Commemorative Marker (Chair
McMasters)
Sunday, April 19 at 2pm – William G. Pomeroy Foundation and Sons of the American
Revolution of Westminster, MD.
4. Historic District Commission Implementation Plan
5. The Nation's 250th Anniversary
Items Ongoing: Historic District Street Signs, Historic District Entrance Signs Phase 2,
Downtown Preparations – Façade Improvement Funding and Business Contest,
Residential Decorating Contest, 250th Commemoration Plaques for Revolutionary Era
Homes, May Preservation Month Social Media Campaign, Liberty Tree Plaque, 250th
Meeting Updates
Items Completed: Westminster 250th Logo, Historic District Entrance Signs Phase 1
(Uniontown Rd. and E. Main St.), 250th Commemoration Sign in Belle Grove Square
6. Historic District Commission And Public Comments
7. Adjournment

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CITY OF WESTMINSTER
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION AGENDA
Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at 6 PM
City Hall, 1838 Emerald Hill Lane, Westminster, MD 21157
1. Call To Order
Statement of Authority — The Westminster Historic District Commission derives its
authority from Chapter 164, Article 9A of the City Code, which is authorized by
Maryland Code Annotated, Land Use Article, Division 1, Single Jurisdiction Planning and
Zoning, Title 8, Historic Preservation. The qualifications of the Westminster Historic
District Commission are on file at the City Administration Building, 45 West Main Street;
the file is open to the public – Chair
2. Approval Of Minute Summary
September 3, 2025
October 1, 2025
November 5, 2025
Documents:
HISTORIC DISTRICT MEETING - SEPTEMBER 2025.PDF
HISTORIC DISTRICT MEETING - OCTOBER 2025.PDF
CITY OF WESTMINSTER 11-5-25 HDC MINUTES.PDF
3. New Business
3.I. Item A: Annual History Expo (J. Adkins, DCPD)
Exhibitor registration is now open for the Annual History Expo taking place on
Saturday, February 28 at Winters Mill High School. This is the big event held in
conjunction with local National History Day student competition organized by Carroll
County Public Schools.
3.II. Item B: Save The Date For Westminster Cemetery Commemorative Marker (Chair
McMasters)
Sunday, April 19 at 2pm – William G. Pomeroy Foundation and Sons of the American
Revolution of Westminster, MD.
4. Historic District Commission Implementation Plan
5. The Nation's 250th Anniversary
Items Ongoing: Historic District Street Signs, Historic District Entrance Signs Phase 2,
Downtown Preparations – Façade Improvement Funding and Business Contest,
Residential Decorating Contest, 250th Commemoration Plaques for Revolutionary Era
Homes, May Preservation Month Social Media Campaign, Liberty Tree Plaque, 250th
Meeting Updates
Items Completed: Westminster 250th Logo, Historic District Entrance Signs Phase 1
(Uniontown Rd. and E. Main St.), 250th Commemoration Sign in Belle Grove Square
6. Historic District Commission And Public Comments
7. Adjournment

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CITY OF WESTMINSTER
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
MEETING SUMMARY
Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
In-Person Meeting and broadcasted live on the City YouTube Channel
A meeting of the City of Westminster’s Historic District Commission was held and broadcast live
on the City YouTube Channel on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at 6:02 p.m.
I. Call to Order
Chair McMasters read the statement of authority into the record.
Chair Kristen McMasters, Vice Chair Christine Ameduri, Commissioner Catherine Baty and
Commissioner Grace Kelly-Lawler were present. Economic Development Coordinator Melissa
Thorn was present.
II. Old Business
III. New Business
IV. Historic District Commission Implementation Plan (Chair McMasters)
Chair McMasters has been in consultation with the contractors to get them some information. She
had asked Commissioner Baty if she could put together a synopsis about where Frederick
Douglas stood, as well as President Roosevelt. Commissioner Baty will put together information
to email the consultant. Commissioners discussed other notable people visiting, such as
President Grant, Jeb Stuart, President Taft and Paul Reveres grandson, and the possible
presentation of this information in historical signage.
Chair McMasters detailed that the railroad leading down from Gettysburg from Westminster is in
the Battle Study Area of Gettysburg, which is available for Land and Water Conservation Funds.
She noted that this study area should be noted on our documentation re-survey. Commissioner
Baty has collected information on the role of the railroad that she will look for and shared it could
make a good mini-grant project to include history markers. Coordinator Thorn updated the
Commission that the City’s legal team was still with the agreement.
V. The Nation’s 250th Anniversary
Commissioners continued to discuss projects for the 250th. The Westminster 250th Logo needs
revision because the America 250 logo is copyrighted. City Staff will send Commissioner Baty the
image of the clock tower for her to revise the logo.
The Historic District Street signs quote for replacement of all the district signs came back higher
than budget and Staff inquired about narrowing down the scope or using a phased approach. A
suggestion was to start with the original William Winchester laid out streets of Westminster. The

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Commission ended up determining that the project can be phased out with the focus on Main
Street as the first phase. It was noted that the signs were upgraded 10 years ago from a smaller
size to a larger 9” size.
Historic District Entrance signs are still manufacturing and have not been scheduled for
installation yet. A decoration contest was discussed for residents or businesses to increase
community spirit and fun. Commissioner Kelly-Lawler will be putting together a draft for the
contest. The 250th Commemoration plaque design still needs to be finalized by Commissioners.
It was determined that the Liberty Tree needs time to grow prior to a dedication ceremony. The
site plaque has been designed and will be ready for purchase when the project is ready to
proceed.
VI. Historic District Commission and Public Comments
Chair McMasters updated the Commissioners on upcoming projects with the Daughters of the
American Revolution and Sons of the American Revolution. She updated the group on a focus
for the upcoming months for coming back to do a Proclamation in May 2026 and going back to
the Mayor and Common Council to update them. Coordinator Thorn asked the Commissioners
about their ideas on 250th swag. Ideas discussed included challenge coins, Christmas ornaments,
T-shirts, Flags, and the Cat’s Meow home décor with images of the 250th decorated City buildings.
VII. Adjournment
Chair McMasters motioned to Adjourn. The Commission adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
______________________________________
Ms. Kristen McMasters
City of Westminster Historic District Commission
Official Recordings of the City of Westminster Historical District Commission Meetings are
available for viewing in their entirety on the City’s YouTube channel.

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CITY OF WESTMINSTER
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
MEETING SUMMARY
Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
In-Person Meeting and broadcasted live on the City YouTube Channel
A meeting of the City of Westminster’s Historic District Commission was held and broadcast live
on the City YouTube Channel on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 6:05 p.m.
I. Call to Order
Chair McMasters read the statement of authority into the record.
Chair Kristen McMasters, Commissioner Catherine Baty and Commissioner Grace Kelly-Lawler
were present. Director of Community Planning & Development Mark Depo and Economic
Development Coordinator Melissa Thorn were also present.
Guests: David Johansson Jr.
II. Old Business
Item A: Post-Construction Application for Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit for 31 W. Main
Street Rear TC-25-01 (M. Thorn, DCPD)
Coordinator Thorn read the staff report detailing the Post Construction Application that was
submitted on 9/11/2025. David Johansson was available for questions. The project involved the
replacement of 14 windows at ARIC and MAGIC.
Motion: Commissioner Baty moved that the Historic District Commission, upon finding that the
completed work is eligible work and in accordance with the preliminary approval of the certificate
of eligibility and the preliminary approval amount of $9,590.20 is acceptable, approve the Post-
Construction Application for Historic Rehabilitation Property Tax Credits TC-25-01 and forward
the Historic Tax Credit Certificate of Eligibility for TC-25-01 to the City of Westminster Department
of Finance to determine the credit amount based on the City of Westminster real property taxes
for a period of up to five years. Seconded by Commissioner Kelly-Lawler. Vote all in favor.
III. New Business
Item B: Carroll County History Day Competition Theme – Revolution, Reaction, Reform in
History, Determine Local History Research Topics and Prizes (M. Thorn DCPD)
Commissioners discussed topics for the specific theme, “Revolution, Reaction, Reform…” with
the following ideas: the Just Government League with Mary Shellman, the Telephone Exchange,
and Edwin Shriver. The prize amount was to be kept the same. Staff asked the question about

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allowing middle school aged students a potential prize amount. It was determined that the school
would have to weigh in about the middle school ages, because the older students could go on to
compete in the State competition.
IV. Historic District Commission Implementation Plan (Chair McMasters)
There is no update on progress of the currently awarded Historic District Re-Nomination to the
National register. Chair McMasters has been leaning on Commissioner Baty for some additional
details on Westminster events. She inquired about specific addresses from two issues from the
Free Press.
V. The Nation’s 250th Anniversary
Commissioners continued to discuss projects for the 250th. The Westminster 250th Logo was
voted on with City Staff portraying options via Slides. Motion is as follows:
Motion: Commissioner Kelly-Lawler motioned to recommend the logo on slide #1 in color and
slide #3 in grayscale. Seconded by Commission Baty. Vote all in favor 3-0.
Commissioners discussed focusing on replacement of the Historic District Street signs in phases
with Main Street being the first phase. This includes 14 sign locations, 4 with the double stacked
sign. Staff will be learning from the Maryland Highway Administration and Westminster Streets
Department the process of changing the signage at the intersections which are larger, as well as
a 5-year phasing process for changing all the signs in the district over to the historic pineapple
embellishment with the brown background and white lettering. Downtown Preparations are
underway with partnership with Carroll County Tourism and Carroll County Downtowns to produce
a StoryMap, ArcGIS program, which will include 10 historic assets from each municipality in
Carroll County. Westminster is preparing map updates which will be input by Carroll County GIS
for final distribution in May of 2026. Westminster is interested in purchasing full sized flags with
the new Westminster 250th logo to decorate downtown. The National Flag is okay to sprinkle in
too!
250th Commemoration Plaques for Revolutionary Era Homes were discussed with several design
options selected by Commissioner Kelly-Lawler. Commissioners discussed options and keeping
the text the same across the board. Staff will prepare quotes and a letter to the homes asking for
their interest in obtaining the 250th Commemoration Plaque. Chair McMasters and the
Commission preferred Option #3 or Option #1. Staff will produce a letter to send out to those
homes on the list generated by Commissioner Baty to solicit interest in the program as well as
work on getting plaque estimates.
Event Programming Commissioner Kelly-Lawler drafted a registration form for a House
Decorating Contest for Residents in the Westminster Historic District. Prizes would be a certificate
and bragging rights. Suggested to include judging on Sunday, June 14, 2026. Residents must
register by June 1, 2026. Staff will create a form on the City website and promote the contest in
the City newsletter as well as the website.
Other 250th Meeting Updates Chair McMasters detailed the “kick-off” event for the 250th within
Westminster, the 250th Commemoration Sign in Belle Grove coordinated with the Daughters of

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the American Revolution – William Winchester Chapter and the City of Westminster. She was
happy with the success of the event. The Son’s of the American Revolution are working on a
Patriot Trail unveiling in 2026.
VI. Historic District Commission and Public Comments
Chair McMasters shared that the Belle Grove Square project was part of a mini-grant, and they
are getting their paperwork sorted to turn in. At the Westminster Cemetery, they are getting close
to their updated. She will be drawing her attention to the consultant to help with the re-survey of
the Westminster Historic District.
Director Depo shared with Commissioners that the City was able to meet with the owners of 59
W. Main about the removal and repainting of their building and that they are amenable to getting
the front façade back to a more original look. Staff have shared information about tax credits and
the façade improvement program.
VII. Adjournment
Chair McMasters motioned to Adjourn. The Commission adjourned at 8:02 p.m.
______________________________________
Ms. Kristen McMasters
City of Westminster Historic District Commission
Official Recordings of the City of Westminster Historical District Commission Meetings are
available for viewing in their entirety on the City’s YouTube channel.

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CITY OF WESTMINSTER
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
MEETING SUMMARY
Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
In-Person Meeting and broadcasted live on the City YouTube Channel
A meeting of the City of Westminster's Historic District Commission was held at City Hall at
1838 Emerald Hill Lane, Westminster, MD 21157 and broadcasted live on the City YouTube
Channel on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at 6:02 p.m.
I. Call to Order
Chair McMasters read the statement of authority into the record.
Chair Kristen McMasters, Vice-Chair Christine Ameduri, and Commissioner Catherine Baty
were present. Economic Development Coordinator Manager Melissa Thorn and Joe Adkins
City Planner were also present.
Guests: Deborah Brown with BSSF Properties LLC.
II. Approval of Minute Summary
There were no minutes ready for approval.
III. Old Business
Item A: Post-Construction Application for Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit for 205 E. Main
Street Rear TC-25-02 (M. Thorn, DCPD)
Deborah Brown, representative with BSSF PROPERTIES LLC, the Applicant, is requesting
approval of a Post-Construction Application for Historic Rehabilitation Property Tax Credit
(TC-25-02) for 205 E. Main Street, Westminster, Maryland to repair the building from issues
created by moisture seeping through the exterior.

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Coordinator Thorn read the staff report into the record. Ms. Brown was representing the
property and answered a few questions concerning change orders and if there were
pictures of the brick behind the stucco.
Motion: Commissioner Bates made the motion that the Historic District Commission,
upon finding that the completed work is eligible work and in accordance with the
preliminary approval of the certificate of eligibility and the preliminary approval amount of
$8,924.40 is acceptable, approve the Post-Construction Application for Historic
Rehabilitation Property Tax Credits TC-25-02 and forward the Historic Tax Credit Certificate
of Eligibility for TC-25-02 to the City of Westminster Department of Finance to determine
the credit amount based on the City of Westminster real property taxes for a period of up to
five years.
The motion was seconded by Vice-Chair Ameduri. The motion was passed 3-0.
IV. New Business
Item A: 59 W. Main Street – Design Input on Paint Color
The property owner was not present. Coordinator Thorn indicated that staff met with the
property owner on site to discuss paint color and future renovations. The commission
suggestion for paint colors were muted gray, green, and whites would be appropriate. The
commission also wanted the property owner to know about the tax credits that could be
used for future renovations to this property.
V. Historic District Implementation Plan
Coordinator Thorn gave a brief update on the status of the contract which was signed just
recently. The City is ready to move forward with implantation of the plan. Chair McMasters
indicated that she has been sending the consultant information that would be useful for
the plan.
VI. The Nation’s 250th Anniversary
Coordinator Thorn gave an update on the street signs, plaques, Liberty Tree plaque and
programing for the 250th Anniversary celebration. There was some discussion about the
number of plaques for the houses and about the Liberty Tree plaque. Coordinator Thorn
indicated that she would look into both issues.

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Chair McMasters gave an update on the Patriot Trail Marker, which is the first one in the
State of Maryland. She has been coordinating the unveiling of the marker with several
organizations including the SAR and the DAR.
VII: Pubic Comments
Chair McMasters mentioned the Heart of the Civil War Area Annual Meeting at the
Wakefield Valley Park. The event location, food, and speakers showcased Carroll County
and the City of Westminster. Participants had a chance to tour the Durbin House. The
event was well attended and she had only good reviews of the event.
There was also discussions about not having a meeting in December. The Commission
agreed that if there is an case that needed to be heard, they are willing to schedule a
meeting. The next meeting will be on January 7, 2026
VII: Adjournment
Chair McMasters made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:42.
____________________________________
Ms. Chair Kristen McMasters
Chair of the City of Westminster Historic District Commission
Official Recordings of the City of Westminster Historic District Commission Meetings are
available for viewing in their entirety on the City’s YouTube channel.