The Historic District and Landmarks Preservation Commission of the City of Poughkeepsie on Oct. 9 approved an application to remove a rear chimney, replace the rear roof and repair associated soffit, cladding and trim at 130 Academy Street, issuing a certificate of appropriateness for the bundled work.

The property owners, Pat Taylor and her husband, Augusto Haktun, told the commission that one of the house’s three chimneys was badly damaged years ago after a cedar tree fell. They said the chimney has allowed water into upper floors and that the rear roof needs full replacement. The owners provided an estimate from Lindsay Roofing and said the contractor advised removal rather than patching because of extensive mortar and structural damage.

Commissioners raised preservation concerns because chimneys can be character-defining features. Kyle (commissioner) and others noted the chimney’s visibility from points on the street in winter and asked whether reconstruction "in kind" would be feasible. Taylor said Lindsay Roofing provided a rebuild estimate of about $16,600 that excluded unknowns such as whether the flue exists or whether the chimney is single- or double-walled, and that costs could escalate. She also said a previous flue installation estimate she recalled was roughly $12,000 and that opening interior walls and making the chimney serviceable could reach far higher figures, which an estimate she cited suggested could approach $50,000 per chimney in some cases.

Lindsay Roofing’s owner, Bill Riley, was identified in the application materials and in discussion as the contractor familiar with the house; Taylor said Riley recommended full removal. Taylor said the house has three chimneys, none of which has functioning fireplaces, and that water infiltration has damaged the second- and third-floor rooms and some interior finishes.

Commissioners and staff requested that any replaced trim, soffit and cladding be replicated to match existing profiles ("replacement in kind") and discussed painting and other finish work that Lindsay Roofing’s estimate did not include. Taylor said the contractor’s estimate excluded painting and that the owners had left a budget buffer anticipating additional discoveries once work begins.

A motion to approve the modifications as a bundled package — chimney removal, roof replacement and replacement in kind of soffit, cladding and trim on the north side of the house — was made, seconded and approved by voice vote. The commission instructed staff and the applicants to ensure details on replicated profiles and on-site findings be documented when the contractor is working and that any retained bricks or salvaged materials be handled as discussed with staff.

The certificate of appropriateness was granted; a building permit for the work had not been issued at the time of the meeting, and the applicants said they would follow up with contractor scoping and permit submissions.