The Nassau County Legislature's Finance Committee recently approved a measure appropriating $220,000 to "stabilize" the Roslyn Grist Mill in downtown Roslyn.

The $220,000 in question is monies contributed by Nassau County, the Town of North Hempstead, and the Village of Roslyn. The Finance Committee merely allowed such monies to be used for Grist Mill renovation.

According to Legislator Craig Johnson (D-Port Washington), the measure is expected to be approved by the full legislature at its May 23 meeting.

"I am pleased to announce that we were able to secure additional funds to continue the renovations on such a momentous landmark," said Legislator Johnson. "I applaud those residents who continue to contribute their efforts to preserve this significant piece of heritage and I look forward to working with them as the preservation process moves forward."

The Roslyn Preservation Corporation funded a study by John G. Waite Associates that addressed immediate concerns at the mill. To limit additional deterioration, the county has agreed to contribute $100,000, while the Village of Roslyn agreed to contribute $45,000 and the Town of Hempstead donated $75,000.

The Grist Mill is one of the oldest historic landmarks in Nassau County, a building dating back to the early 18th century and is located in a recognized historical district.

The mill is also a vital drainage structure since the Roslyn Mill Pond drains through the mill raceway. When renovations are finished, the mill will have a new waterwheel and shaft, reinforced concrete foundations, slabs, walls and intermediate piers, repair of timber frame and exterior cladding, replacement of deteriorated windows, doors and roof, and the replacement of concrete siding.

If approved by the legislator, the funding will represent the latest effort to renovated the aging mill.

The Waite report was issued in the fall of 2004. The firm, which is located in Albany, recommended that the Grist Mill "be fully restored to its earliest 18th century configuration and appearance as a working grist mill."

If that were done, the mill would be saved from further deterioration. A renovated mill "can educate residents and tourists alike and demonstrate both New World Dutch wood framing methods and period milling techniques and operations." In addition, a "careful and studied restoration to this era will also become an integral piece in the network of mills in Roslyn and nearby on Long Island."

Since the 1970s, numerous investigations have been made to assess and catalogue surviving framing and other elements of the Grist Mill.

In 1993, restoration efforts became more intense as a historic structure report was prepared. That report assembled information about the history and evolution of the mill and presented systematic recommendations for restoring the structure to a functional Grist Mill and museum site. It also concluded that a wholesale renovation, one that would restore the mill's structure and exterior to a semblance of its original appearance was possible.

Over the past decade, there have been both setbacks and progress made toward Grist Mill restoration. The Grist Mill is owned by Nassau County and is administered by the county's Department of Recreation Parks and Museums. In the late 1990s, it was hoped by some that a county bond would provide the funds needed for the mill's restoration. However, the county's sudden financial crisis canceled the availability of those funds and the project was put on hold.

Some monies were secured by a state grant and by private donations. As such, the mill has undergone work that has resulted in some stabilization to the 300-plus year old structure. The removal of the concrete siding from the north and east facades in 1998 had both informational and physical benefits. The Waite report also states that the temporary shoring located along the east wall and the temporary relocation of the sluiceway has been critical to the mill's survival.

In addition, work on the interior allowed for the north and east facades to be re-clad with temporary plywood sheets. The entire structure has been treated for insect infestation and a smoke detection and intrusion alarm system has been installed in the building. Finally, portions of the site immediately adjacent to the building have been sandbagged to prevent storm waters from entering the first level of the mill.

Despite that, the mill, according to the Waite report, continues to deteriorate. A main concern is potential structural failure.

"Several beam ends and columns are severely deteriorated because of insect damage, rodent damage, or rot, and several columns along the east wall appear to have shifted, thus diminishing the amount of bearing at the beam connection," the 2004 report stated. "Many of these conditions are close to a state of collapse; additional temporary shoring similar to what is currently in place should be installed immediately in those locations."

On the renovation side, the study recommends that an "immediate stabilization" of the mill be undertaken. That would include removing "unsympathetic" and hazardous elements, such as asphalt shingles, bead-board decking, concrete roof deck and concrete siding, along with 20th century interior framing.

Phases One and Two, according to the report, should include half frame disassembly and restoration. That means removing the chimney and fireplace, while keeping original framing components, mill stones, doors, and trim.

Phase Three would include final enclosure and interior finishes. According to the report, the focus would be placed upon the "replication or original exterior and interior elements of the mill," including roof siding, floor planks, windows, doors, and stairs.

Finally, Phase Four would involve site work. That includes the restoration of the sluiceway and exterior stairs, and the creation of a water wheel.

"It will be necessary to relocate utilities, address the location of the sewer pipe, and provide a means of access from off-site parking to the west to the first floor."

The Waite report was completed with the support of the administration of Thomas R. Suozzi and Doreen Banks, the commissioner of Parks, Recreations and Museums.

The Gerry Charitable Trust underwrote the cost of the Waite Study. The Gerry Trust recognized the Grist Mill Restoration project as one of the late Dr. Roger Gerry's top restoration priorities and was eager to support it.

Interested residents can contact the Roslyn Preservation Corporation at P.O. Box 167, Roslyn, NY, 11576-0167 to make a contribution. They can also contact John Collins, the president of the corporation at 625-4060 for more information.