Historic Preservation Committee

Meeting Minutes – February 16, 2012

A meeting of the Mountain Lakes Historic Preservation Committee (“HPC” or the “Committee”) was held on February 16, 2012, in the meeting room at the Mountain Lakes Borough Hall.  In attendance were Co-Chairs Tom Dagger and John Grossmann, Pat Rusak, Roberta Matalon, John Lester,  and Borough Council Liaison Peter Holmberg, who was welcomed by all. Jess Mahony, Beth Mauro and Brigid Walsh were absent.

Approval of Prior Meeting’s Minutes

The Committee approved the minutes of the January 12, 2012 meeting in the form distributed to the Committee in advance of the meeting. 

Treasurer’s Report

On behalf of the Treasurer, Chris Sheasby, John Grossmann reported the following financial information.

Opening Balance as of January 8, 2012:  $19,888.13

Debits:

$   313.00        Erie Landmark for 2 plaques

     100.00        John Grossmann for gift to Bulfers

       49.98        Peggy Bulfer for postage

Total:   $   462.98

Credits:

$5,671.00        Centennial Books

     771.00        ML Borough for photo duplication

     200.00        Belhall Plaque

     175.00        Walking Tour

       15.00        Notecards

       95.00        ML Historic Books

Total:  $6,927.00

Closing Balance as of February 15, 2012:  $26,352.15

Roberta Matalon agreed to take over from Chris Sheasby handling of orders for plaques.

Archivist’s Report

Pat Rusak reported that with the Stagg Romine House having been sold and soon to be demolished, she had arranged for the 1877 gravestone of Daniel Romine to be removed from the site by DPW for safe keeping.  Pat explained that the 350-pound gravestone may have formerly stood in the family cemetery, on private property that’s now in the Village.  Pat shared that the street name in town named for the family misspells the name as Romaine.  

A brief discussion ensued as Committee members offered suggestions for what should become of the gravestone.  Peter Holmberg said he would take this up with the Borough Council, and would include the suggestion that the gravestone possibly be returned to its original site, perhaps with a ceremony including any Romine descendents who might be located. 

Public Comments

None.

Old Business

Historic Preservation Ordinance

Tom Dagger reported that drafting of the ordinance implementing the recommendations presented to the Borough Council in November is under way and may be available for review at the March meeting, following review by the Ad Hoc Ordinance Committee.

Oral Histories

The Frank Wiswall oral history was posted, with a pull quote from the Q&A and a photo included on the ML home page and a link to the oral history.  Web master Andy Bulfer reported that this resulted in significant clicks to the interview.  We will seek to continue this policy with future oral history postings.

Salvage Trailer

Tom Dagger said that he had contracted Tom Menard about having shelves built along one side of the trailer. Menard said he would donate the labor but might need help with supplies.  Dagger asked the Committee to authorize the necessary allocation as long as it did not exceed five hundred dollars.  The Committee voted yes to the suggestion.

Tom Dagger pointed out that the contact information on the Committee’s website for inquiries about and access to the trailer need to be updated.  John said he would be listed as the contact person and said he’d get in touch with Andy Bulfer to have the necessary changes made. 

New Member Suggestions

John Grossmann said he would contact two possible candidates and report back next meeting.  There was discussion whether the Committee could include more than the 7 members and 2 alternates authorized by the Committee’s ordinance.

New Business

Borough Council Presentation on February 3

Council liaison Peter Holberg summarized the presentation made by John Grossmann at the most recent Borough Council meeting, saying that the Council members appreciated the window given on HPC’s current account balance and the projected expenditures—most of which pertain to the preservation and storage of important documents. In that vein, the HPC intends to begin digitizing key Hapgood papers and early town documents.  Most Council members expressed the desire of the Centennial Committee to pass on to the HPC the remaining balance in the Centennial account when the group’s mission ended.  Council member Steve Shaw said that the transfer should await a final accounting—to see if any additional unpaid Committee bills might come due.  The Council agreed that finding a bigger location for relocating the archives is unlikely, and suggested digitizing and a dedication to culling materials as the best way to deal with the looming space crunch.  Subsequent action by the Council will be required at some point to authorize transfer of any remaining Centennial funds to the Committee.

Town Club Walking Tour on April 18

John Grossmann said he would reach out to the Town Club representative planning the event to discuss how best to organize the walk, considering the entire route proved a bit ambitious the last time and now we have the recorded version available should we want to make use of that in addition to or in place of live presenters.

Centennial Merchandise and Banners

John Grossmann reported that he had taken possession of the unsold Centennial merchandise, as follows:

· framed and signed art prints (2)

· unframed signed art prints (89)

· house banners (15)

· Centennial note cards and envelopes (285)

· youth tee shirts (2)

The plan, at least for the near future, is to continue selling these items at the Centennial prices.

The banners currently on town lampposts are to come down soon.  The Centennial Committee plans to give many to appropriate local institutions—the Borough Council, DPW, the schools, churches, etc.  What’s left will come to the HPC—It was agreed that an auction of some kind would be the fairest way to put them in the hands of those residents who’d like one.  How to run such an auction remains to be discussed. 

Mountain Lakes Day

There was preliminary discussion of HPC participation in Mountain Lakes Day on Memorial Day.

Date for Next Meeting

The Committee decided to next meet on March 8, but later had to switch that date to March 15, downstairs at the Mountain Lakes Borough Hall.

Minutes prepared by John Grossmann and Tom Dagger.