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Untitled (7)PAGE 14 - SOUTHERN DUTCHESS NEWS -October 22, 1986 Former Golding home renovated by CPA firm By Jay Burgess Staff writer W APPINGERS FALLS — The accounting firm of Sedore and O'Sullivan, has renovated the former Dr. Chester Golding residence on the corner of East Main Street and Mesier Avenue. The structure is an example of historic preservation and il- lustrates how business and community can work together. A recent interview with James Sedore explains the restoration, the many advan- tages that result from this type of project and the history of the home. "The unique part of the whole business, our becoming involved with the building, is that it began over a hand- shake. We were originally in- terested in a building on South Ave. We came before the village board with a proposal we had for that property, and we followed a group with a proposal aimed at our current building. They were refused and so were we," said Sedore. Sedore said, "During the course of the evening,I had the opportunity to meet Dr. Golding, the long-time general practioner who had a practice in this house for many years." "Probably four or five months later, Dr. Golding meet my uncle. Dr. Golding remembered speaking with me at the village meeting, and he thought to ask whether I might be interested in his building," said Sedore. Sedore went over and look- ed at the building. Sedore said he liked, the building and the two talked price. Sedore and partner, Mark O'Sullivan agreed on the price the doctor offered, subject to their being able to get a rezoning. A rezoning was needed since the building was a home and in a residential zone. 1,1 suggested a contract, and Dr. Golding said no, and he added, a shake of hands has always been the way I've always done business. In the fall of 1985 we jointly pro- ceeded with the zoning change. The zoning was residential and had to be changed to office -research," said Sedore. "We originally thought we would seek a varaince or non- conforming use permit, but it ended up that rezoning was the way to go. We were granted the rezoning by the village with the stipulations. We had to agree to maintain the historic character of the home and have no more than three tenants. We were with this process for about five to six months," said Sedore. After the rezoning, Sedore had surveyors in. He then had workers go over the building to make sure it was structural• ly sound. With all this ac- complished, a closing was held on April 22, 1986. The construction work began shortly afterword. "Contractors came in on May 7. The building was restored along guidelines set down by the state and their department of historical preservation," said Sedore. We found out that since the building is in a historic district, we were using it for business and performing significant rehabilitation, we were entitled to certain tax credits. We were able to take advantage of direct tax credits against the tax we're required to pay." In maintaining the character of the home, Sedore and O'Sullivan were required to keep theplaster walls, not drop any of the ceilings and restore all the woodwork. One other stipulation was that a large tree at the right rear of the property could not be removed. Sedore said it is on record as the oldest tree in the village. Sedore and O'Sullivan A large conference room is directly off Sedore's otttce anu can uc xa.�.. �•• �� •-•6-• - wooden doors when privacy is desired. hired an interior decorator to redo the interior of the home. They told her they wanted to maintain the 1900's character of the interior. Sedore said she asked what colors they wanted and then put everything together. Sedore said, "We redid the woodwork, bringing it back to its natural state and then ap- plying oil to it. We used no polyurethane on the wood- work. We used local antique dealers to provide us with the furnishings. My desk, for ex- ample was built around 1900." "What concerns me is that a lot of the older homes in the village are difficult to heat and maintain by many of the older residents who own them. We'd like to serve as example to the village fathers and show that responsible and caring business can come in and salvage these homes," said Sedore. "I think what 1'd like to get out to the public is that if they've got an old building and would like to use it for business, there are tax credits available," he said. According to deed informa- tion on the house, it was built in 1894. A marking on the sliding doors that separate Sedore's office from an ad- joining conference room in- dicate the builders were Pat and Frank Abbott of Hughsonville. Sedore said, "When the house was first built it was known as the Queen Anne residence. The home at that time included the property where the Delahantys, Caryes and Haubennestals now have their homes. It was all one piece of property surrounding this house. The lot was at one time part of the Mesier pro- perty. What is now East Main Street was then Fishkill Ave. "The house was originally built for Roland Blythe. The Blythe family moved into the home in August of 1894. The next owners were John J. and Mary A. Flood. In 1933 they sold a piece of the property to Regina C. O'Rourke and in 1946 another piece was sold to Fred and Margaret Carrie. Fred is deceased and Margaret is still living there. In 1951, Dr. Golding bought the pro- perty from the estate of Mary A. Flood," said Sedore. Sedore announced during the interview that the group will be holding a general open house. They have sent out 1,000 invitations and expect about 300 people to attend. Sedore said they would have liked to invite everyone from the area but the size of the house wouldn't allow for it. The staff' -at Sedore and O'Sullivan includes: two CPA's, two licensed tax preparers and three book- keepers. One tenant will be renting space in the building, E.J. Buck Insurance and Tri County services, Inc., owned by Todd Brinkerhoff of Brinkerhoff and Neuville, Inc. They are renovating and will be moving into the section of the house added on about 1950 by the doctor, which he used as his office. Sedore said as a final note, "All of the neighbors have been very supportive through the whole project. We went to our neighbors and discussed our plans beforehand. We told them we wanted to do something they would like. I think everyone is happy with the results."