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Cobb Road House Named
in Honor of Dorothy O’Brien

Fund Raising Campaign Begins

By Judy Terlizzi

In 1998, long time Brewster resident and Putnam County Land Trust board member Dorothy O’Brien, passed away leaving her house and property on Cobb Road in Brewster to our organization. She was an avid advocate for the environment and it was her wish that her house and land would be preserved forever for the enjoyment of her community which she loved so much.

In honor of her donation, PCLT has officially named the house, the Dorrie O”Brien house. Her gift has given PCLT a much needed home!

The residence was built in the 1800’s and in need of considerable work. Renovations began in 2001. Foundation grading; extensive brush clearing, reconstruction of the rotted sill of the house, basement window replacement, new cellar hatchway, and partial electrical upgrade has been completed.

PCLT volunteers have scraped, sanded and painted the house and garage exterior. Foundation plants have been installed with the help of high school volunteers. The interior walls and abandoned chimney have been removed to prepare for heating, electrical and plumbing systems. Once these are completed, insulation will be installed and the walls will be sheet rocked, taped and prepared for painting.

Happily, several of our friends and volunteers have made commitments to do much of the remaining work. To move the renovations along, PCLT has engaged the help of a construction manager, Andrew Chastant. We now look forward to bringing this long time project to completion in the very near future.

We find that we need to ask the community to help cover the cost of the remaining “ big ticket” items including plumbing and electrical, heating, and interior finishes and trim work. We are seeking both large and small donations. For those who would like to sponsor one of the major rooms in the house, that room will be named in honor of their donation. The Meeting Room, Library, Kitchen and Office are being offered for these intentions for a donation of $5,000. A plaque will be installed in these rooms bearing the name(s) the donor wishes.

Smaller contributions from our membership and the community at large are also being sought and are most welcomed. A mailing will be going out to our membership in early October. The goal is to raise $ 25,000. Members of the community not on our mailing list may send their donations to PCLT, P O Box 36, Brewster, New York 10509

PCLT is counting on the support necessary to help us complete the remaining work so that our attention can return to what we do best, preserving open space and protecting sensitive habitats in Putnam County!