Historic Preservation Committee

Meeting Minutes – October 16, 2014

A meeting of the Mountain Lakes Historic Preservation Committee (“HPC” or the “Committee”) was held on October 16^, 2014, in the basement meeting room at the Mountain Lakes Library. In attendance were Co-Chair John Grossmann, Mike DeWitt, Margaret DeWitt, Lesley Karczewski, and Ginny Cassidy. Absent were Tom Dagger, Pat Rusak, and Borough Liaison Frank Borin.

Approval of Prior Meeting’s Minutes

The minutes of the September 4, 2014 meeting were approved in the form in which they were distributed to the Committee.

Treasurer’s Report

John Grossmann presented the report prepared by Chris Sheasby:

Opening Balance as of 9/2/14: $29,825.01

Debits:

$63.70 Pat Rusak for Historic Photos, Morristown Parking and

$25.00 Archive helper

$88.70 Total Debits

Credits:

$0.0

Closing Balance as of 10/13/14: $29,761.31

Archivist’s Report

There was no official report this month, but via email Pat Rusak told of continued progress pinning down construction dates of Hapgood homes by checking deeds at the County Courthouse.

Borough Liaison Report

Although unable to attend the meeting, Frank Borin emailed the following:

“I did raise to the Council and the borough manager the HPC's concern about using historic preservation funds for the replacement of the bathroom window at the station. Based on our conversation, it is my understanding that the project is not going to proceed that way. It is unclear to me if the project is going to move forward at all at this point.

“The council also discussed the sidewalk beautification project on Midvale Rd. Bob Tovo advised the council that he had reached out to the owners of Hapgoods, and was told that they are not interested in participating in any such project at this time. It was Bob's understanding that they wanted to get on a little more solid ground with respect to the operation of the restaurant, before they commit to such a project. Since it is important for the restaurant owners to be supportive and involved in any such project, it is the manager's recommendation that we hold off for now.”

Old Business

Borough Website Redesign

The Committee decided on the headings for the links to its web pages and finalized the wording on the About the Committee blurb. Mike DeWitt was to send the requested materials to Bob Karczewski of the Borough’s web redesign team.

302 Boulevard Notice of Intent to Demolish

Via email, Tom Dagger reported that he had established October 27, at 9 a.m., as the time for Committee members to join Peter Berlin from Edberg Obeo Marketing at the house. Berlin will take interior and exterior photos and work up a floor plan of the house, in keeping with the provisions of the Historic Preservation Incentive Ordinance calling for documentation of any Hapgood prior to proposed demolition. Committee members were invited to tour the house to assess possible salvage items.

Transition of HPC Account to Borough Administration

No progress to report. A meeting with Borough officials still needs to be scheduled.

Morris County Historic Preservation Grant

Lesley Karczewski reported that she was close to completing the application for the October 30 deadline, but still needed financial information from HPC treasurer Chris Sheasby and also price quotes from the Borough Manager should the HPC decide to purchase a laptop for the archives through the Borough.

Trolley Tracks Roadbed Repair Project

John Grossmann reported that repairs to the rain-damaged roadbed have been made and the path looks great.

HPC Writing Projects

The Committee briefly discussed possible stories for Margaret DeWitt to write for upcoming issues of Mountain Lakes Living magazine. Among the suggestions: a roundup of bygone sites such as Leonard’s Beach, the old sled run, and the Rifle Range.

New Business

Town Club HPC table on November 20 and HPC table at December 5 House Tour

Pat Rusak passed on word that she can man an HPC table the morning of November 20 for the Town Club Holiday Boutique. Ginny Cassidy and Lesley Karczewski thought they could do so in the evening. Ginny said she would check with Hapgoods restaurant to see if they wanted to be open on the night of December 5, perhaps selling food, and if so, she suggested that HPC have historic photos and items on display there for the House Tour visitors who might stop.

Date for Next Meeting

Tuesday, November 11, at the downstairs meeting room in the Library at 7:30 p.m.

Minutes prepared by John Grossmann.