Board hears update on property
By Carol Anders
BOURBON � The Bourbon Town Council was given an update on the steps in progress for the restoration of the Matchette House (commonly referred to as the Yarian property) at the July 9 meeting.
Property owner Marcy Phillips provided the council with a four-page report including a letter from the DNR written by David Duvall, historical architect.
The Duvall letter dated June 6 was follow-up after an on-site visit.
In his letter, Duvall said, �You are well aware of the historical interest of the property and Paul Diebold, who accompanied me on the visit has confirmed that the building is probably eligible for the National Register on the basis of criteria for association with events in history and with a notable person.� The letter continued, �If it can be verified that Samuel B. Reed executed the design it may be eligible as the work of a master.�
Town officials have voiced concern over the safety and appearance of the structure for the last several months. Ellen Elliott, Bourbon building and zoning commissioner, has been asked to keep a close eye on the restoration project and make ongoing reports of progress or lack of progress.
Phillips has said that she is not happy with the amount of time that has elapsed in trying to make needed repairs. She continues to tell the council that the information that she needs has been difficult to obtain on a timely basis.
The matter came back into focus again earlier this year when the town council began looking into legal measures needed to have the property condemned. The house came into extreme disrepair when the Yarian family was unable to handle the upkeep needed. Phillips has said that she has enough money to do whatever is necessary to bring it back into compliance.
The Duvall letter indicates that he does not feel the building is in danger of immediate collapse and its present structural defects appear to be repairable. The house is referred to as the Matchette Home in historical documents since Dr. A.C. Matchette used his 1875 Italianate house as a sanatorium for alcoholics. One portion of Phillips� report was a copy of a historical piece indicating that Matchette along with his invalid wife and son departed to smaller quarters as they were no longer able to maintain �this old cheerless castle-like institution in Bourbon.�
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