HARB COA Recommendations for CITY COUNCIL
April 21, 2026
Item 2. Tate Real Estate
829 West Fourth St
TABLED See minutes
Remove all slate, re-sheet roof. Install Certainteed Carriage House shingles..colonial slate color
Retain existing gutter system
Item 3. Jeff Dincher
Recommended for approval
508 West Fourth Street
A. At second floor front porch replace rotted roof beams and any rotted ceiling joists. Install
exterior grade LVL layered between 2×8’s to add strength to the span. Same appearance as original.
B. There are damaged porch posts, which are milled on the corners. Repair with new exterior grade
wood, to same appearance and size as original.
C. Finish deck with tongue & groove. Back priming recommended. Install a rubber membrane over
the deck, with proper wall flashing. Rubber will not be visible from the ground. Part of this deck
has no roof and is exposed to weather.
D. Porch facia is rotted. Remove and replace with one by eights primed. Finish to same appearance
as original.
E. Prime and paint as needed with same colors as existing.
Item 4. Terri & Richard Mutchler
Recommended for approval
918 West Fourth Street
A. Replace any rotted front porch deck sections with same size as existing pine tongue and grove.
Priming the under side of decking and tongues is recommended. Inspection and any needed repair
of the porch subfloor is recommended.
B. Replace any rotted wood on porch apron areas (lower) with matching wood and trim to same as
original appearance.
C. Repair damaged lattice to match existing, which is a framed, tight-weave lattice.
D. Because of the detailed appearance of the posts, any rotted or damaged post and railing areas are
to be repaired. Cutting out rotted sections and piecing with a Ship lap method is recommended.
Repairs shall match the original features and appearance. Posts have chamfered edges, railings have
turned, thick double level balusters.
E. Repaint with same as existing colors
Item 5. Saving Grace
Recommended for approval
324 Campbell Street
A. Replace and replicate two rotted arched wooden entry doors located on Campbell St with new
doors, constructed of mahogany wood. Match original doors appearance.
B. Paint same color as existing.
Item 6. Terri & Richard Mutchler
Recommended for approval
956-958 West Third
A. Renew painting COA- body- Accessible Beige HGSW2487, trim/Railings- urban bronze
HGSW3481, Porch, floors, doors-Evergerrn Fog HGSW9130.
B. Tear off existing asphalt roof. Replace sheeting as necessary. Install drip edge, weather shield,
flashing, ridge vent and accessories. Install Certinteed Landmark 50 year Architectural shingles.
Color: charcoal grays or blacks
HARB MINUTES April 21, 2026
Meeting called to order at 6:30 pm. T&T2
Present Tony Visco, Nan Young, Hannah Ramsauer, Dante Elion, Mary Rucinski
Intro:
Property owners in the Historic District must obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) before
performing exterior alterations, repairs, improvements, demolitions, or construction. There is no fee for a
COA. Applications are available at Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) – City of Williamsport
Applicants should include photos, drawings, and any information to clarify a project. Submit at least one
week before the HARB meeting. Meetings are held monthly, usually on the 3rd Tuesday, in Trade & Transit
II-144 West Third St. at 6:30 PM. A representative of the applicant should attend. City Council issues
COA’s. Applicants can discuss a request with Council if they disagree with HARB’s recommendation.
Item 1. January 20, 2026 minutes to be reviewed at next meeting. No Feb and March 2026 meetings.
Item 2. Tate Real Estate
829 West Fourth St
TABLED
65-004-123 1865 Taylor-Parsons-Bastian House. Rebuilt in the 1880’s by the Taylor family. Two and one
half story Victorian Queen Anne style house. Features a carved front door with sidelights. Wrap around
porch with large turned posts. Roof dormers with fish scale siding and mullioned windows. Multigabled
slate roof. Multiple building materials, first floor of stucco, second floor wood shingles, gables of clapboard
and fish scale trim.
A. Remove all slate, re-sheet roof. Install Certainteed Carriage House shingles….colonial slate color
Retain existing gutter system
Note: Applicant was advised to bring any available roof inspections and photos of slate to meeting and
given the names of 2 potential slate inspection, repair firms.
Possible Standards to Consider: #2 The historic character of a property shall be retained and preserved. The
removal of historic materials or alteration of features/spaces that characterize a property shall be avoided.
#5. Distinctive features, finishes, and construction techniques or examples of craftsmanship that characterize
a historic property shall be preserved. #6. Deteriorated historic features shall be repaired rather than
replaced. Where severity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new feature shall
match the old in design, color, texture, other visual qualities and, where possible, materials.
Preservation Brief 29: The Repair, Replacement, and Maintenance of Historic Slate Roofs and Number 32
The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehab ITS NUMBER 32: Slate Roof Treatments Link to The
Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation -(U.S. National Park Service)
The board had many questions about possible repairs to the slate, the severity and location of any
leaks, and if the owner had any report on the overall condition of the slate. From the ground many
sections appear to be repairable. No one was present to answer any questions. HARB doesn’t
know if an attempt was made to get a condition report and no report was provided. As slate is a
highly visible and distinctive feature that should be removed only after repair options are considered
and determined unreasonable, board voted to TABLE until these questions were answered. All ayes.
Item 3. Jeff Dincher
508 West Fourth Street
64-004-304 ca 1875. Lewis Jamison House. 3 story Victorian eclectic wood clapboard sided house.
Mansard roof in front, rear multigabled roof. Gables have gingerbread trim. Arched windows with
decorative wood frames. 2 protruding bays in front, center bay 3 stories. Double front door with
windows and carved panels. F. Porch banisters/spindles replaced. Built by Lewis Jamison.
A. At second floor front porch replace rotted roof beams and any rotted ceiling joists. Install
exterior grade LVL layered between 2×8’s to add strength to the span. Same appearance as original.
B. There are damaged porch posts, which are milled on the corners. Repair with new exterior grade
wood, to same appearance and size as original.
C. Finish deck with tongue & groove. Back priming recommended. Install a rubber membrane over
the deck, with proper wall flashing. Rubber will not be visible from the ground. Part of this deck
has no roof and is exposed to weather.
D. Porch facia is rotted. Remove and replace with one by eights primed. Finish to same appearance
as original.
E. Prime and paint as needed with same colors as existing
Note: Laminated veneer lumber, LVLis engineered wood often used used for headers, beams and
edge-forming material.
Possible Standards to Consider: 2. The historic character of a property shall be retained/ preserved.
Removal of historic materials or alteration of features and spaces that characterize a property shall
be avoided. 5. Distinctive features, finishes, and construction techniques or … craftsmanship that
characterize a historic property shall be preserved.
The contractor was present and reviewed the planned work. Photos show large sections of rotted
wood on the front porch upper deck, supports and other places. Mr. Visco asked why rubber is
proposed on the deck. Contractor explained a large portion of the deck has no roof. T&G and other
exposed wood rots. The rubber will help protect it and is not visible from the street. It was noted the
balusters are not original. The work will be finished to match original and painted same as existing
colors. Hannah Ramsauer made a motion to recommend approval. Dante Elion seconded. All Ayes,
motion passed.
Item 4. Terri & Richard Mutchler
918 West Fourth Street
64-001-111 ca1865 Delos Mahaffey-Fox House. 2 ½ story wood Victorian eclectic style house.
Multigabled roof with fish scale gables. Asymmetrical floor plan, protruding bay on eastern side.
Large porch with turned posts and clapboard enclosed bottom. Large eave braces. First occupant
was G. Bedell Moore of Lutcher and Moore Lumber.
A. Replace any rotted front porch deck sections with same size as existing pine tongue and grove.
Priming the under side of decking and tongues is recommended. Inspection and any needed repair
of the porch subfloor is recommended.
B. Replace any rotted wood on porch apron areas (lower) with matching wood and trim to same as
original appearance.
C. Repair damaged lattice to match existing, which is a framed, tight-weave lattice.
D. Because of the detailed appearance of the posts, any rotted or damaged post and railing areas are
to be repaired. Cutting out rotted sections and piecing with a Ship lap method is recommended.
Repairs shall match the original features and appearance. Posts have chamfered edges, railings have
turned, thick double level balusters.
E. Repaint with same as existing colors
Possible Standards to Consider: #2, #5, #6
Mr. Mutchler was out of town. He notified HARB before the meeting he could not attend but
provided a phone number where he could be reached if there were any questions on either of the
applications. Each item was reviewed. Mr. Visco was concerned the porch post will be difficult to
replicate. Cutting out the rot and ship lapping in matching repairs is recommended. Glue and screw
pieces securely so the champfered edges on the posts won’t be compromised. Any replacements
must match the old in style and shapes. The posts are very detailed. Mr. Elion noted the trim is
important to this house and made a motion to approve with addition of repair instead of replace. Ms.
Young seconded. All ayes, recommendation passed.
Item 5. Saving Grace
324 Campbell Street
322 Campbell Street ca 1900 Large brick Victorian Gothic church. Pointed arched stained glass
windows, very large one in front. Pointed arched doorways, large double doors. Front gable with
decorative cornice , triangular shaped window. Patterns in brick around the church. Triangular roof
dormers on one side. Stick type gable trim on side entrance. Corner Grace and Campbell Streets.
A. Replace and replicate two rotted arched wooden entry doors located on Campbell St with new
doors, constructed of mahogany wood. Match original doors appearance.
B. Paint same color as existing.
Possible Standards to Consider: #1, #2, #5, #6.
Mr. Visco presented. He said the existing doors are in poor condition. They sway and sag and are
difficult to use as safe exits. The new doors will have the same appearance and be constructed with
Mahogany. The arch and trim will be replicated. The new doors will be easier and safer for the
residents to use. Hannah Ramsauer made a motion to recommend approval as in kind replacement,
Nan Young seconded. Mr. Visco abstained from vote. All Ayes. Motion passed.
Item 6. Terri & Richard Mutchler
956-958 West Third
65-005-203/202 1900 Wood clapboard,
two and one half story Victorian eclectic
double house. Front gable has a double
window and Gothic type gable trim.
Decorative cornice, pointed arch on
window heads. Pedimented porch across
front with square posts and curved
railing. Latticework at base of porch.
A. Renew painting COA- bodyAccessible Beige HGSW2487,
trim/Railings- urban bronze HGSW3481, Porch, floors, doors-Evergerrn Fog HGSW9130.
B. Tear off existing Asphalt roof. Replace sheeting as necessary. Install drip edge, weather shield,
flashing, ridge vent and accessories. Install Certinteed Landmark 50 year Architectural shingles.
Color: charcoal, grays or blacks
Possible Standards to Consider: #2, #5, #6
Mr. Mutchler notified HARB before the meeting he could not attend but provided a phone number
where he could be reached if there were any questions. A. is just a renewal of already approved
colors. Mr. Visco noted the property has had an asphalt roof for some time. It needs replaced. Any
Charcoal, Gray or Black is appropriate.
Item 7. Any other business
FYI – Received a email from Madeline Reighard April 15th referencing a Codes repair deadline of
March for 1022 West Fourth, the former Mussina House. It has fallen in to disrepair. I explained
the HARB process and asked her to submit an application by Thursday. Also suggested she could
come to the meeting to discuss the issues if she wishes.
No one was present at meeting. No Application was received.
Discussion of HARB status with the city. Board members needed. Planning Commission member
needed. Historical Officer? The City is still a CLG. The 2025 CLG Report was completed and
sent in by HARB.
FYI Standards
1. A property shall be used for its historic purpose or be placed in a new use that requires minimal change to the
defining characteristics of the building and its site and environment.
2. The historic character of a property shall be retained and preserved. The removal of historic materials or alteration
of features and spaces that characterize a property shall be avoided.
3. Each property shall be recognized as a physical record of its time, place, and use. Changes creating a false sense of
historical development, ie adding conjectural features, architectural elements from other buildings, shall not be done.
4. Most properties change over time; those changes that have acquired historic significance in their own right shall be
retained and preserved.
5. Distinctive features, finishes, construction techniques or examples of craftsmanship that characterize a historic
property shall be preserved.
6. Deteriorated historic features shall be repaired rather than replaced. Where the severity of deterioration requires
replacement of a distinctive feature, the new feature shall match the old in design, color, texture, and other visual
qualities and, where possible, materials. Replacement of missing features shall be substantiated by documentary,
physical, or pictorial evidence.
7. Chemical or physical treatments, such as sandblasting, that cause damage to historic materials shall not be used.
The surface cleaning of structures, if appropriate, shall be undertaken using the gentlest means possible.
8. Significant archaeological resources affected by a project shall be protected and preserved. If such resources must
be disturbed, mitigation measures shall be undertaken.
9. New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction shall not destroy historic materials that characterize
the property. The new work shall be differentiated from the old and shall be compatible with the massing, size, scale,
and architectural features to protect the historic integrity of the property and its environment.
10. New additions and adjacent or related new construction shall be undertaken in such a manner that if removed in
the future, the essential form and integrity of the historic property and its environment would be unimpaired.