Historic Preservation Committee

Meeting Minutes – August 16, 2012

A meeting of the Mountain Lakes Historic Preservation Committee (“HPC” or the “Committee”) was held on August 16, 2012, in the meeting room at the Mountain Lakes Borough Hall.  In attendance were Co-Chairs Tom Dagger and John Grossmann, Pat Rusak, Chris Smith, Roberta Matalon, and John Lester. Borough Council Liaison Peter Holmberg and HPC members Beth Mauro and Brigid Walsh were absent.

Approval of Prior Meeting’s Minutes

The Committee approved the minutes of the July 12, 2012, meeting in the form distributed to the Committee in advance of the meeting. 

Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer Chris Sheasby provided the following financial information:

Opening Balance as of July 10, 2012: $27,008.52

 

Debits:

  $61.90           Pat Rusak for historic photos

 

Credits:

$870.00           Centennial Books and ML books

    30.00           Historic photos

$900.00

 

Closing Balance as of August 9, 2012: $27,846.62

 

Archivist’s Report

Archivist Pat Rusak reported on the handful of houses she is researching to determine if any should be added to the designated list of Hapgoods and Belhalls that qualify for the historic preservation incentives under the new ordinance.  The Committee discussed recommending additions and corrections to Council in the fall.

Public Comments

None.

Old Business

Auction of Midvale Stores Building

John Grossmann reported that Bill Corvelli, the owner of the Salon (and upstairs apartment), was the winning bidder at the auction on July 17.  The Committee discussed possible ideas for enhancement projects for the Midvale Stores buildings for their upcoming centennial in 2013.

Fall Open House at Library & Centennial Merchandise Sale

The open house will be held at 10-2 on Friday/Saturday, Oct. 19-20.  Pat Rusak said she’d be present both days from start to finish to showcase the archives and help with house research. Roberta Matalon volunteered to be on hand Saturday morning.  Chris Smith said he’d be present on Saturday afternoon.  Help on Friday is still needed. 

Work Plan for Historic Preservation Incentives Ordinance

It was noted that the Historic Preservation Incentives Ordinance was finally passed by the Borough Council on July 23.  The Committee then turned its attention to the work plan tasks necessary in support of implementation of the Ordinance. 

Website.  The Committee discussed the layout of the work-in-progress website.  Comments were taken on format of certain of the content on the website (pdf vs. html format for Contributing Dwelling list and other information).  Tom Dagger agreed to discuss these changes with Andy Bulfer.

Photographs.  The Committee discussed the status of the photographs being taken by volunteers.  Work is ongoing and will probably not be completed by the beginning of September as originally hoped.

List of Contributing Dwellings.  The Committee discussed a proposed list of historic homes that would satisfy the definition of “Contributing Dwelling” provided in the Ordinance and be presumptively eligible for the zoning incentives provided under the Ordinance.  Concerns were raised about certain homes that do not appear to resemble homes from the period covered by the ordinance.  The Committee made a preliminary decision to approve the list. 

Documentation Guidelines.  The Committee discussed the written guidelines applicable to cases where the homeowner seeking a demolition permit opts to perform the documentation rather than have the Committee fulfill that pre-demolition requirement of the Ordinance. The Committee voted on revisions to be included in next draft for review at the next meeting.

Salvage Trailer

John Grossmann reported that he’d received a call from Jonathan Holasek, who said that he had perhaps as much as two or three pickup truck loads of molding and doors and other house parts remaining from the materials he salvaged years ago from a Hapgood facing demolition.  This cache was left over after he renovated his own home on Laurel Hill (which was featured on the Centennial House Tour). 

With this material bound for the salvage trailer this fall, the discussion turned to some degree of urgency in asking Tom Menard to schedule the promised work crew to make the shelves along the free side of the trailer to improve storage. Tom Dagger said he’d follow up with Menard. 

Oral Histories

There was no time to discuss this item.

New Members

Pat Rusak suggested Dana Wilke as a possible member and John Grossmann said he would contact her to see if she might be willing to serve on the Committee.

New Business

RR Station Centennial

Grossmann mentioned that the Station turns 100 this year—as do many homes in town and floated the idea of a 100-year birthday party at the station for these centenarians.  Pat Rusak reported that she’d learned that there’d be a $1500 minimum for any event at The Station and that a standup affair would cost $40 apiece.  In light of the cost and with other HPC business to pursue, the idea was deemed intriguing but not something the Committee wanted to pursue.

League of Women Voters Tea

The Committee was informed of a request from Marla Wexler of the League of Women Voters to have a representative from the HPC show and explain historic Mountain Lakes photos at their annual holiday tea on December 18.  Pat Rusak volunteered to bring photos from the archives and speak to the group. 

 

Date for Next Meeting

Wednesday, September 12, at the Mountain Lakes Borough Hall.

Minutes prepared by John Grossmann and Tom Dagger.