Historic Preservation Committee

Meeting Minutes – November 17, 2016

A meeting of the Mountain Lakes Historic Preservation Committee (“HPC” or the “Committee”) was held on Thursday November 17, 2016, in the in the basement of the Mountain Lakes Library. In attendance were Chair Lesley Karczewski, Vice Chair Tom Dagger, Margaret DeWitt, Rob Infante, Alex Gotthelf, and Sima Chowdhury. Absent were Ginny Cassidy, Mike DeWitt, Katy Roberts, and Borough Council Liaison Bill Albergo.

Approval of Prior Meeting’s Minutes

The minutes of the October 20, 2016 meeting were approved in the form in which they were distributed to the Committee.

Treasurer’s Report

Lesley Karczewski presented the report:


Opening Balance as of October 18, 2016: $32,066.42

Debits: $0

Credits: $0

Closing Balance as of November 14, 2016: $32,066.42


Archivist’s Report

Consultant’s progress

Lesley Karczewski reported on the progress of consulting archivist Debra Shiff. She will be in the archive on Friday, November 18 for two hours to begin the Preservation Needs Assessment. Additional work will also be scheduled on Fridays.


Digitizing photos

Rob Infante reported that he is continuing to digitize photos from the archive. He also reported on his research on tools to "watermark" the photos and presented a sample watermark. The committee voted unanimously to approve the watermark and begin use immediately. An expense of roughly $25 for the watermark tool was also approved.


Additionally, all of the newly digitized photos are rapidly using up the HPC's cloud storage. Rob will investigate options to increase storage and report on costs next month.


Finally, Rob reported on some updates that are needed to the HPCs photo page at the borough website: Moving text, correcting links, posting watermarked photos. He will work with Michael DeWitt on these items.


Borough Liaison Report

No report.

Old Business

Update on Ordinance edits

Tom Dagger provided a draft copy of the latest version of the ordinance updates. The most significant revision is a change in the definition of "Contributing Dwelling" to include roughly 30 homes within the historic district that were not previously included. After discussion it was agreed that the broader definition would help ensure that no Hapgood or Bellhall homes are excluded from the benefits of the ordinance.


Tom will now bring the revised ordinance to the Borough Council for readings at two separate meetings. Based on comments from council members, Tom felt that there was interest in approving the revised ordinance during the current council session.


32 Condit

Alex reported that the owners of this home have agreed to deconstruct the house to help salvage as much as possible. Alex will prepare a plan and timeline to facilitate documentation, removal and distribution of as much of the house parts as possible without the HPC actually taking possession of materials.


Salvage

Alex Gotthelf reported that activity at the salvage shed continues at a brisk pace. One homeowner donated $100 for doors. Others would like to make materials contributions but are limited by their ability to deliver materials. Margaret offered use of Michael's pick-up truck.


Facebook page

Rob also reported on his educational and outreach work via the HPC Facebook page. The site currently has 370 members, with individual posts receiving 600 - 1,000 views.


Date for Next Meeting

Next meeting date – December 15 @ Mtn. Lakes Library meeting room



Minutes prepared by Margaret DeWitt and Lesley Karczewski.





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