Historic Preservation Committee

Meeting Minutes – June 10, 2014

A meeting of the Mountain Lakes Historic Preservation Committee (“HPC” or the “Committee”) was held on June 10, 2014, at the Mountain Lakes Borough Hall.  In attendance were Co-Chairs John Grossmann and Tom Dagger, Mike DeWitt, Chris Smith, Lesley Karczewski, Ginny Cassidy, and Borough Liaison Frank Borin.  Absent were Pat Rusak and Margaret DeWitt.

Approval of Prior Meeting’s Minutes

The minutes of the May 6, 2014 meeting were approved in the form in which they were distributed to the Committee, with minor changes.

Treasurer’s Report

John Grossmann presented the report prepared by Chris Sheasby:

 

Opening Balance as of 5/1/14:  $29,185.02

 

Debits:

  $27.14           Michael DeWitt for Pauline Frederick print

  $27.14           Total Debits

 

Credits:

$155.00           1 print, 1 flag, 2 note cards, 1 T-shirt

  $29.00           Historic Photo

$184.00           Total Credits

 

Closing Balance as of 6/414:  $29,341.88

 

Archivist’s Report

With Pat Rusak absent there was no report.  

Mike DeWitt mentioned that there had been high humidity readings in the Archives room coming through the recently installed monitoring system that might warrant further investigation with the Library to ensure there is no threat from moisture.

Borough Liaison Report

Frank Borin said that he had raised the topic of the long dormant Midvale Stores sidewalk project with Borough Council members. 

Frank had also clarified that the new ordinance is in fact now published with the Borough’s ordinance database, but has not yet been incorporated into the Borough’s codified ordinances.

Old Business

Transition to Borough Administration of HPC Account

Nothing new from the Borough on this front.

Plaques

John Grossmann reported that Brigid Walsh, the intended replacement for administering the plaque program, had resigned from the Committee and thus would be unable to assume those duties, as she had originally intended. When no one volunteered, John said he would assume the job until a replacement can be found. 

Ordinance Implementation

To move forward on the integration of the two sets of street-view photos of the residences covered by the ordinance, a work date was planned. With assistance from former Borough Webmaster Andy Bulfer, who uploaded the first round of photos and established the protocols, Tom Dagger, Chris Smith, Mike DeWitt, and John Grossmann will convene to devise a plan to update the original photos with the second round photos taken in March 2013 with less obstructed views of the Hapgood and Belhall houses under the jurisdiction of the ordinance.

Morris County Historical Preservation Grant

Lesley Karczewski, who has successfully applied for grants in her professional capacity, reported that budget cuts might imperil or lead to diminished funds available for these Morris County Historical Preservation grants.  The Committee discussed asking archivist Pat Rusak for a wish list, deeming as likely grant requests the digitization of the most perishable records and also the 1916 street map.  Lesley said she believed a grant application would need to be submitted in the fall. 

New Business

New Committee Members

Tom Dagger said he would draft a request for new HPC members to be posted on the Borough Homepage and alert the Borough Council to our need for one or more new members.  Particular effort would be made to recruit a new member meeting the requirements under the ordinance, which states, “Members shall be appointed from among professionals in the disciplines of architecture, history, architectural history, planning, archaeology or a related discipline, to the extent that such professionals are available in the Borough. Committee membership shall include other persons who have demonstrated special interest, knowledge or experience in building design and construction, history, architecture or a related discipline.”

Trolley Tracks Roadbed Repair Project

John Grossmann reported that he had walked the site with Andy Bulfer. The section in question extended from the edge of the parking lot at St. Catherine’s Church on a raised bed through swampy land to the paved parking lot of the Park Lakes Club.  The washed out section is about midway between the two parking lots.  John said he would contact George Jackson, a board member of the Park Lakes Club, and also Mark Prusina at the Borough’s DPW office and report back to the Committee so we can better explore how the HPC might be able to help assist a restoration of this endangered link to the past. 

Date for Next Meeting

Thursday, July 10, at 7:30 p.m. at the Mountain Lakes Borough Hall.

Minutes prepared by John Grossmann and Tom Dagger.