Agenda - 02-15-2005-10a - Laserfiche WebLink

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Historic Blackwood F¢rna -Interim Stew¢rdship Pl¢n (DRAFT) that accessway blocked in conjunction with the landowner (Kenneth Strayhom), Public Works blocked the opening with a guazdraih To secure the farmhouse, ERCD maintains an alarm system that had been installed by the previous owners. When that system is activated, a series of contacts are made to ERCD, the Sheriff or the neazby 911 Center. There have been some instances where people have entered the property and been found by staff "just looking around" or fishing at the pond. Appazently, some people from the area had been accustomed to entering the property (with or without the permission of the elderly Blackwood sisters) to hunt, fish, or pick fruit from the orchard, Since 2002, ERCD has used the Blackwood farmhouse as office space for as many as three staff. That weekday, on-site presence has probably deterred some potential trespassers, but there have still been occasions where people have entered the property after hours or on weekends, The chain used to lock the gates has been cut two or three times. The only theft occurred in 2004 when a piece of County parks maintenance equipment that was being stored on the property was stolen from the garage, There have been no other known break-ins or theft from the property. Farmhouse Repairs Several needed repairs were made to the farmhouse in 2002-0.3 by the Public Works and Information Services deparhnents to make it suitable for ERCD as temporary office space, The electrical system needed some new wiring and receptacles to bring it up to code, The heating and air conditioning systems were replaced, which also required a stonemason to repair a basement wall, Finally, a new computer server and wiring were installed to link the temporary offices in the house to the County's computer network, Groundskeeping Beginning in 2002 ERCD contracted out the seasonal grounds keeping within the farmstead area. From April to October the grass is mowed and trimmed around the house and outbuildings. ERCD staff regularly picks up downed tree limbs and debris from around the house. Staff workdays were held in 2002 and 2003 to rake and haul away leaves from azound the house, [In 2004, however, the contractor picked up the leaves.] A neighboring farmer, Mr, Bob Strayhorn, has tended to the agricultural fields for at least two decades. When the County acquired the property in 2001, the purchase contract specified that Mr, Strayhom would be allowed to harvest the next season's hay from about 50 acres that he tended for the Blackwoods for many years, Since then, Mr, Strayhorn has continued to mow the hay twice annually in exchange for assistance and advice on upkeep matters and providing "another set of eyes" on the property, Mr, Strayhorn has a special relationship with the property, having spent much of his youth on Blackwood Farm and learning about farming from Herbert Blackwood, He helps watch over the property and is a source of useful guidance for its upkeep, Following storms, Mr. Strayhorn removes tree limbs that often fall into the fields from the surrounding forest, including several hours of cutting and hauling after Hurricane Isabel. He informed the