Historic Preservation Committee

Meeting Minutes – March 15, 2012

A meeting of the Mountain Lakes Historic Preservation Committee (“HPC” or the “Committee”) was held on March 15, 2012, in the meeting room at the Mountain Lakes Borough Hall.  In attendance were Co-Chairs Tom Dagger and John Grossmann, Pat Rusak, John Lester, Brigid Walsh and Borough Council Liaison Peter Holmberg. Jess Mahony, Beth Mauro, and Roberta Matalon were absent.

Approval of Prior Meeting’s Minutes

The Committee approved the minutes of the February 16, 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 February 15, 2012:  $26,352.15

Debits:  $313.00           Erie Landmark -- Belhall plaque

Credits:   $29.00          Historic photos

Closing Balance as of March 14, 2012:  $26,213.15

 

Archivist’s Report

Pat Rusak reported that 62 newly identified Hapoods and Bellhall photos had been scanned and added to the HPC website pages. She said she will soon be updating and improving the How to Research the History of a House webpage.

She said that she had looked into another option for digitizing archival materials and was quoted a price from Mountain Lakes resident Kim Downes of $1.50 per page if the work was done at the library and $1.10 a per page if done at her home.

On the matter of the Romine gravestone, discussed at the February meeting, Peter Holmberg reported that he had informed the council that the Borough had taken possession of it and said the council had no recommendation at this time as to a permanent location for the headstone.  John Grossmann suggested that perhaps the best option would be to ask living descendents of Daniel Romine their preference—if we can locate any family members.  Rusak said that she would begin a search for any descendents.

Public Comments

None.

Old Business

Historic Preservation Ordinance

The Committee reviewed, discussed and commented on the draft historic preservation ordinance that had been prepared by the Ad Hoc Historic Preservation Ordinance Committee and distributed to the Committee members by Tom Dagger in advance of the meeting.  Certain drafting suggestions were made by the Committee members, which Tom indicated were good clarifications that should be incorporated in the draft.  After discussion, the members of the Committee present voted unanimously to recommend adoption of the draft Ordinance by the Borough Council.  In discussion with Peter Holmberg and Mayor Gormally, who was briefly present during the discussion, they indicated Tom should forward the draft ordinance to Chief Tovo with a request that he send the ordinance to the Borough Attorney for review and for first reading by the Borough Council at its April 9 meeting.

Oral Histories

No change here from last month.

Salvage Trailer

Tom Dagger said that he would contact Tom Menard so the building of shelves could proceed. 

Brigid Walsh reported that her daughter Keara should soon be able to design the webpages of already photographed trailer inventory. 

New Member Suggestions

John Grossmann said that after considerable thought, one candidate he had contacted had said she had decided her schedule did not currently allow her to say yes.  John said he would meet soon with a second candidate who appeared interested but had some questions about the HPC and duties of volunteers.

Centennial Banners

There was a brief discussion of how to possibly conduct an auction to dispose of the light pole-mounted Centennial Banners now coming down across town.  John Lester suggested E-bay as one option.  The possibility of a silent auction was also raised.  In the end, though, everyone agreed that it would be simpler to sell them at a set price on a first come basis.  Pat Rusak said they cost the Centennial committee $137 apiece.  The 24-inch by 36-inch cloth banners sold by the Centennial Committee were priced at $100.  The town-flown and sturdier banners, it was felt, should be priced higher.  No final decision was made, but there seemed early agreement that $175 might be a good price. But it was agreed to wait to see how many banners remained after the Centennial Committee donated many to local sites such as the schools, churches, and Borough Hall.

Town Club Walking Tour

John Grossmann reported that he had spoken with the Town Club representative about the historic walking tour requested for April 18th. To shorten the walk, it’s been agreed to start the tour at St. Peter’s Church, stop #7; continue down the Boulevard path to stops 8-10 (Boulevard Trolley, Little Theatre, Hapgood’s sales office); continue on to stop #11 (Community Church); then double back to stop #4 (Luellen House), #5 (Mtn. Lakes Club), and #6 (Lake Drive School).  The tour will be lead by John Grossmann, Tom Dagger, and Pat Rusak, who worked out between themselves who will present at which locations.  Grossmann said he would contact St. Peter’s Church to see about indoor access to view the stained glass windows and interior artifacts.  According to Town Club’s wishes, in case of inclement weather, the tour will be postponed. 

New Business

New Administrator of Centennial Book Sales.

Brigid Walsh volunteered to take over book sales from Peggy Bulfer and said she would contact Peggy to learn the procedures for selling and mailing remaining copies of the Centennial book. 

Date for Next Meeting

Due to the school vacation week, the Committee decided to next meet on April 19, downstairs at the Mountain Lakes Borough Hall.

Minutes prepared by John Grossmann and Tom Dagger.