Historic Preservation Committee

Meeting Minutes – December 12, 2013

A meeting of the Mountain Lakes Historic Preservation Committee (“HPC” or the “Committee”) was held on December 12, 2013, at the Mountain Lakes Borough Hall.  In attendance were Co-Chairs Tom Dagger and John Grossmann, and Mike DeWitt, Chris Smith, and Ginny Cassidy.  Absent were Brigid Walsh, Pat Rusak, Roberta Matalon, Margaret DeWitt, and Borough Liaison Jason Bradlee. 

Approval of Prior Meeting’s Minutes

The Committee approved the minutes of the November meeting in the form distributed to the Committee in advance of the meeting. 

Treasurer’s Report

John Grossmann presented the report prepared by Chris Sheasby:

Opening Balance as of 11/1/13: $29,212.73

Debits:

$201.20           Erie Landmark -- plaque

$  50.00           Obeo Edberg—17 Conduit documentation (balance due)

$  34.38           Pat Rusak historic photos

$  41.12           Pat Rusak historic photos

$326.70           Total Debits

Credits:

$   534.20        1 Centennial book; 1 plaque; salvage, pictures and a donation

$   350.00        1 Centennial books; 1 print; 8 notecards and 2 Walking Tour CDs

$   182.00        1 Centennial book; 3 historic photos and one Walking Tour CD

$1,066.20        Total Credits

Closing Balance as of 12/11/13: $29,952.23

Archivist’s Report

Pat Rusak, though unable to attend the meeting, provided an updated Hapgood and Belhall Report 2012-2013 that showed, among other data:  that of the original 560 Hapgood and Belhall houses built, 524 remain standing.

Old Business

Transition to Borough Administration of HPC Bank Account

The transition date for Borough administration of the HPC bank account was moved back to February 1, 2014.  There was discussion about the process for handling vendor payments.  Tom and John were planning to meet with Borough Manager Bob Tovo and CFO Tim Roberts to discuss specifics of the process.

Ordinance Implementation

There was discussion about the proposed changes to the ordinance and the process that could be used to do a mass update of the new photos that were taken in March of the contributing dwellings on the ordinance website.

HPC Table at Town Club Holiday Boutique on November 22

Thanks to Brigid Walsh, Ginny Cassidy and Roberta Matalon for tending to sales of HPC and Centennial merchandise at the Holiday Boutique.   Several plaque orders were taken, Centennial books purchased, plus note cards, audio walking tours, and a signed print.   The table was a success and was deemed a good way of displaying and selling down the inventory of HPC items. 

Remote Monitoring for Archives/ML Library

Mike Dewitt reported an alternative approach to remote monitoring of the archives, one that would be independent of the library Wi-Fi system.  He said that he had installed an inexpensive system in his house and reported it was functioning well.  The system cost only $250 and detects water leaks, spikes in temperature, and motion.  It would operate without monthly fees, though an additional battery backup might need to be considered.  The system would presumptively run off the free Optimum Wi-Fi at the nearby railroad station, and Mike said he would report back at our next meeting after testing for a signal by testing his unit at the curb at the library. 

Old Briarcliff Magazine Photos

Mike DeWitt reported that the photos are now hanging at Briarcliff.  A bill for mounting the vintage magazine pages has not yet been passed on by the Board of Ed.

Tower Hill Building as Possible Salvage Storage Location

John Grossmann reported that he had spoken with Joan Best at DPW about the municipally owned building on Tower Hill Road and learned the building is not suitable to salvage items.  It’s vermin infested and damp.  But there’s possible good news.  She shared that the police department is getting a new shed and it may be possible for the HPC to make use of the old container sitting in the DPW yard near the current HPC salvage trailer.

New Business 

Walking Tour CDs

John Grossmann mentioned that after several Holiday Boutique sales, plus a second Christmas order of four walking tour CDs, the supply was exhausted.  A second production run will be needed.  All agreed that 50 copies would be a suitable amount.  Chris Smith volunteered to make that many duplicates from an existing copy.  Tom Dagger said he would see if over the holidays his son could again make the labels.  John said he would reorder jewel case art and jewel cases from Alpha Graphics in East Hanover.

Date for Next Meeting

Thursday, January 9 (later rescheduled to January 16), at 7:30 p.m. at the Mountain Lakes Borough Hall.

Minutes prepared by John Grossmann and Tom Dagger.