Historic Preservation Committee

Meeting Minutes – February 12, 2013

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

New members Ginny Cassidy and Mike DeWitt were officially welcomed by their fellow Committee members.

Approval of Prior Meeting’s Minutes

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

New Business

Discussion of construction plans for 171 Boulevard by Walter and Gayle Aertker

Architect Larry Korinda presented drawings he had prepared and explained the intentions of Walter and Gayle Aertker, owners of the home at 171 Boulevard that includes on its property the old stone building that was once home to the Community Theater and numerous live performances by the local theater guild. The building is one of the historic stops on the HPC’s audio walking tour and an important town edifice.  Mr. Korinda said that the building is likely a former chicken coop, just uphill from a small stone springhouse, presumably outbuildings for an old farmhouse that no longer exists.  He said evidence of the farmhouse foundation might be discovered by combing the grounds. 

Mr. Korinda explained that the owners’ plans for the former theater building might require a use variance from the Zoning Board of Adjustment.  The owners plan to remodel the interior of the building by adding a bathroom and television/family room on the first floor and a bathroom and exercise room above.  The design includes addition of a front portico that would closely match the roof pitch and roof line of the long missing ticket booth/entrance to the theater, the outline of which can still be discerned on the front of the structure. The deck on the left side (viewed from the Boulevard) would be rebuilt.  Existing door and window openings would be preserved, and new doors and windows would be in keeping with the old design.  The interior, obviously, would entail an adaptive re-use of the structure for residential/entertainment uses.  Mr. Korinda pointed out that a previous re-use might have already occurred, when the prior owners used the building as a workshop. He stressed that mechanicals for the building, such as heat pump to provide warmth and air conditioning, would not be visible from the walking path.  He noted that the building is in disrepair, with signs of moisture penetration on both the hill and front sides of the structure, and emphasized that the construction would help to preserve the appearance and integrity of the structure for years to come.  The Committee members asked various questions of Mr. Korinda and indicated general support for the proposed construction in the form presented to the Committee by Mr. Korinda.  The Committee indicated that it, after reviewing final plans and assuming they were consistent with the plans presented, it would be willing draft a letter to the Zoning Board of Adjustment supporting the owners’ application for a use variance, should one be required by the Borough.

Treasurer’s Report

            John Grossmann read the monthly accounting provided by Chris Sheasby:

            Opening Balance as of 1/8/13: $30,318.75

            Debits: 

$500.00          Bruce Davies landscape architect (Midvale sidewalk design)

  199.75          Gaylord Bros. archive plan file for map protectors

    97.32          Pat Rusak reimbursement for archive supplies

$797.07

            Credits:

            $2,975.00      Plaques, Centennial books, Laker voices CDs, banners, note cards

       58.00       Historic House photos

            $3,033.00

            Closing Balance as of 2/11/13: $32,554.68

Archivist’s Report

            Pat Rusak was unable to attend so there was no report.

Old Business

Historic Preservation Incentive Ordinance

The main work item for the Committee on the ordinance is the retaking of photos that were obscured last summer by foliage and other obstacles.  Volunteers would be asked to do the retakes sometime in March before the trees start to leaf in the Spring. 

Tom Dagger also indicated another project for the Spring would be to formulate and recommend to Borough Council certain amendments to the ordinance, including softening of the requirements for homes that have two street-facing facades, adding a list of additional homes to the Contributing Dwelling list, and making other minor changes that were more administrative in nature based on input from Borough officials who have been working with the ordinance.

Crane Road Pillar Repair Update

John Grossmann said that he had not noticed any significant damage to the big pillar on the right side of the road heading to Rte 46, but confessed he had neglected to look at the other pillar and would report back. 

Midvale Stores Sidewalk Project

John Grossmann reported that he had spoken with Borough Manager Bob Tovo and been encouraged by Tovo to proceed with the preliminary drawing with landscape architect Bruce Davies.  The initial $500 check was mailed to Davies, who said he expected to have a design in about a month.  At that time, the HPC would need to pay him another $300 for his work. 

Salvage Trailer

Mike DeWitt displayed the four battery operated lights that he had acquired and John Grossmann said he would take them to the trailer later in the week when he was to move donated radiators from a DPW storage facility to the HPC salvage trailer for temporary storage.

During a discussion of the HPC web pages that display doors and windows and other architectural items in the trailer, Borough Council liaison Jason Bradlee suggested the HPC add similar online postings of the notecards, T-shirts, centennial book, and remaining centennial merchandise—items that it currently only displays at open houses and other town events like Mountain Lakes Day. 

Other New Business

HPC photos for new Hapgood’s Restaurant

            Grossmann explained that he has spoken with Midvale stores owner Bill Corvelli, who had called, asking if the HPC could provide him with historic photos for the walls of the restaurant.  Considering prices of $12 for an 8x10 print and $35 for an 18x24 inch print, the Committee voted to loan these unframed for the new Hapgoods restaurant as a token of good will and deeming the spot a good public venue for such educational views of historic town buildings and houses.  In connection with the loan, a small card would be posted by one of the photos mentioning the HPC and the fact that these and similar prints could be purchased through the HPC.

Borough Council Communications Committee Volunteer

            Mike DeWitt graciously volunteered to serve as the HPC representative to this committee.

Date for Next Meeting

Thursday, March 14, at 7:30 p.m. at the Mountain Lakes Borough Hall.

Minutes prepared by John Grossmann and Tom Dagger.