Minutes: January 19, 2012

Note: There is no recording for this meeting. Meeting notes were taken.

Mr. Charles Bates, HPC Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:20 p.m.

Statement of Compliance

Pursuant to the Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 231 P.L., 1975, adequate notice as defined in Section 3D of Chapter 231, P.L. 1975, had been forwarded to the New Jersey Herald on June 22, 2011. Notice is also posted on the bulletin board and filed with the office of the Township Clerk.

Roll Call of Members

Minutes

December 15, 2011 Meeting

Motion: Mr. Hanke made a motion to approve of the above minutes. Mr. Laabs seconded the motion. Ms. Kadish abstained from voting. All the rest were in favor.

Meeting Opened to the Public

No one came forward.

Closed Meeting to the Public

New Business

None.

Old Business

Parker House

Chris Hanke advised this is still in process, no changes.

Simonson House

Mr. Bates reported that the historic marker is in and the cost was $1,200.00. He said the sign looks good but, in his opinion, does not contain enough information. Mr. Bates said he spoke with Dave Pullis of the DPW regarding installing the sign and they both agreed that it is too cold to have an unveiling now. Mr. Bates would like to wait until March. He would like all of the HPC members to attend the unveiling. Also, Mr. Hanke advised that Judy Good and one of the original restoration contractors would like to attend.

Board of Education

A discussion was had regarding the wording of a placard explaining the word “high” on the historic marker, to be placed near the marker. It was suggested by Ms. Cheadle that Ron DuPont be consulted on this matter. It was suggested by Mr. Laabs that this assignment could be given to a high school history class or any other organization to get further public interest in the history of Vernon. Mr. Bates gave the members homework by asking them to come up with wording for the placard and emailing their suggestions to him to be discussed at the March meeting. Mr. Bates will not be attending the February meeting due to a vacation.

Cemeteries

Mr. Bates advised that he has not received any word on the Glenwood Cemetery application yet. However, he was advised by the Town Clerk, Susan Nelson, that the resolutions were approved, making the following cemeteries memorialized as historic: Glenwood Baptist Cemetery, DeKay Cemeteries #1 and #2, Episcopal Church Cemetery and Williamsville Cemetery.

Historic Districts

Mr. Bates reported that he had a long conversation with Mayor Marotta about creating a historic district in the Glenwood Section of Vernon from Route 565 up to the high school. He said the Mayor likes the idea. However, he said if this goes through on one application covering an area, it would make all structures in that area designated as historic and may create some negative reactions for those with properties who are not interested in having them historically designated. The Mayor suggested doing each property separately. He also suggested that Mr. Bates sit down with Jessica Caldwell, the Land Use Board Planner, to discuss this matter as it relates to the Master Plan, for her opinion. Mr. Bates said that he will contact Jessica and hopes to meet with her sometime at the end of February.

Mr. Hanke suggested calling the district a “historic area” and provide a rough map or list of the structures that are in the area such as the railroad depot, granite mine, Glenwood Mill, etc, without separate signage and designation for each property. A discussion ensued about different ways of depicting this area with a sign vs. historic designation of properties.

Mr. Bates asked all members to provide information for a sign to him, with no more than 300 characters. He would like these emailed to him for further discussion at another HPC meeting.

Applications Reviewed

LU #1-21-1: Veronica Haltner, Bulk Variance for a Rear and Side Yard Deck

The HPC members reviewed the above applications and determined that there is no historical significance in connection with these sites.

Adjournment

Mr. Laabs made a motion to adjourn the HPC meeting at 8:10 p.m. Mr. Sokolowicz seconded the motion. All were in favor.

Transcribed by Cynthia Davis on January 20, 2012.