In attendance:
Chairperson: Kathy Cannelongo
Members: Dave Harding, Frances Gavigan, Pauline Serafin, Barbara Sageser, Paul Sterchele, Jennifer Floyd, Mary Van Horn,
Absent: Harriette Hawkins, Bryan Geils, Peg Sullivan
Also present: Jim Davidson, Historian, Martha Pittore, Secretary
Call to order: 7:35 p.m.
Statement of Compliance:
In compliance with the Open Public Meeting Act, this meeting was noticed as a Reorganization meeting in the December 25, 2008 issue of the Hunterdon County Democrat. Notice of this meeting was sent to the Hunterdon County Democrat, Times of Trenton, Courier News, Star Ledger, and posted on the bulletin board on January 27, 2009.
Election of Officers: A motion was made by Mary VanHorn for nomination -of Kathy Cannelongo as Chair, second by Jennie Floyd. A motion was made by Jennie Floyd for nomination of Barbara Sagesar as Vice-Chair, second by Mary VanHorn. No further nominations were made. Both motions carried unanimously.
Approval of Minutes of Meeting November 25, 2008 and December 16, 2008:
The minutes of November 25, 2008 meeting was approved on a motion by Jennie Floyd, second by Dave Harding and carried. Paul Sterchele and Mary VanHorn abstained. Corrections were recommended to the December 16, 2008 minutes. Changes will be made to the original which will be filed and distributed. A motion was made by Frances Gavigan, second by Jennie Floyd to approve the minutes as amended. Motion carried.
Open to Public:
Motion was made by Dave Harding, second by Frances Gavigan to open the meeting to the public. No public was in attendance. Motion was made by Frances Gavigan, second by Mary VanHorn to close the meeting to the public. Both motions carried unanimously.
Old Business:
Budget: The proposed budget was approved at the last HPC meeting on December 16, 2008 and was submitted to Treasurer Jane Luhrs, on December 17, 2008.
Frances stated she has submitted a donated check in the amount of $1500 to Terri Stahl. This will be used for the computer with Microsoft Office software (including powerpoint, excel), with capabilities to add accessories such as extra memory, microphone, CD burner, associated ports, a rolling case and a portable projector. Frances and Jennie agreed to work on a recommendation, which will be reviewed by the other Committee members before sending to Tim Matheny. Frances stated the Township Committee has indicated they will support the request, but a formal resolution will be required.
County Projects: Barbara Sagesar stated there are a few remaining roads that must be completed with regard to picture taking of historic homes and buildings for the County. It is estimated that another 2-3 days of work may be required to complete the pictures. Barbara will continue to work on a schedule with Committee members.
First Presentation Ideas: Please refer to minutes of meeting dated October 28, 208 and November 25, 2008 for further backup. In addition to items discussed previously, Jim Davidson stated he will follow-up with obtaining speakers in March or April through NJ Cultural Heritage for researching historic houses project.
· The Committee also discussed using antique postcards or a calendar as a fundraising tool. A discussion ensued regarding establishing a community body with non-profit status ie: (Amwell or East Amwell Historical Society). Kathy stated she will check with Maria Andrews for information on West Amwell. Mary VanHorn stated she will look into filing the required 501C-3 form. Residents will be notified via the VIP and the Environmental Commission newsletter submitted in the spring. The Township Committee must also be notified.
Distinguished Achievement Award: Sponsored by the Cultrual Heritage Achievement Awards-due February 27 20008. Ilona English and Jack Balint have been previously considered for nominations. Jim Davidson also made the following additional suggestions:
· Jim Walker for his book on postal history of Hunterdon County
· Mr. Sullivan (stone barn on Manners Road)
Setting up the Office: Kathy stated the office is ready. She and Jennie will work on setting up the office next week.
Wertsville Road: Frances Gavigan made the following detailed report:
The County now has all approvals and permits necessary to proceed with plans to move ahead with their bridge replacement projects on Wertsville Road. The plan is to move, replace, lengthen and widen the bridge over BackBrook Rd. at Dutch Lane and by Runyon Mill Rd., straighten and widen curves on bridges (at Totten’s Farm and by Runyon Mill and enlarge culvert at Dutch Lane adding a bridge structure which will widen and straighten the road. Most of East Amwell will be cut off from the fire company and the rescue squad. Wertsville Road would be closed down for 6-8 months along with simultaneous closings of BackBrook Road due to repaving, bridge reconstruction in Ringoes on Rt. 202-3l and bridge closures on Old York and Amwell Road. The Committee discussed the project as follows:
:
· A scenic by-way application has been obtained and passed on to Planning Board Chair, Don Reilly. The application for protection of alternative scenic highway must be approved by local municipality. A scenic by-way Committee must be formed for purposes of identification/ nomination.
· Proposed ordinance: HPC members previously received an example copy of Tewksbury ordinance and master plan, which could be used as a model for proposed EA ordinance.
· Put a hold on the project for one year. Frances has contacted Congressman, Rush Holt’s office and the Freeholders to hold up the project citing concern with competing priorities and environmental burden on the Sourlands area.
The Committee decided to ask for a hold on the project. They will simultaneously work on a local East Amwell ordinance with the Planning Board and application for a scenic by-way designation.
The Committee decided to prepare a letter for presentation at the next Township Committee meeting which will be held on February 5, 2009. The letter will state that East Amwell Historical Preservation Committee is concerned about the scope and scale of the proposed project and would like a delay to allow time for technical review, community input and possible re-design. There is a concern also as to the impact of historic protected hamlets on the national register. The letter will include as backup all applicable attachments, plus maps identifying preserved parcels. Copies of the letter will be sent to Congressman Rush Holt, Freeholders, Freeholder Director, the County, and County Roads and Bridges Department, Planning Boards, and Frank Banish. Jennie stated she will perform a quick search at the assessors’ office for block and lot numbers of affected properties on the road.
Publications: Jim Davidson stated he will start working on the local history of East Amwell book sometime in June. Jennie and Dave volunteered to start looking for photos in the Quick collection. The following items were mentioned for inclusion:
· Mary VanHorn will research Linvale Church
· Jim Davidson will speak to the archivist at State Police Museum re: Lindbergh
New Business: None.
Correspondence: Ms. Cannelongo reported as follows:
Renewal -National Trust Form: A motion was made by Jennie Floyd, second by Dave Harding to renew membership. Motion carried.
Newsletter: Articles are due February 13, 2009. Dave Harding will work on write up of newsworthy articles.
Historic Preservation Conference- will be held on June 4, 2009
Letter from Kevin Richardson, Program Administrator re: Hunterdon County Open Space Trust Fund Program: Information on Open Space & Historic Preservation Policy adopted by the Freeholders on October 7, 2008. Jim Davidson stated the money is not only for Farmland & Open Space, but is for historic preservation also. He noted the Freeholders recently approved using this fund to pay for work done at the Court House and the Hall of Records.
2009 National Preservation Institute: Professional Seminars in Historic Preservation and Cultural Resource Management:
Volunteer Orientation e-mail memo from Clerk, Terri Stahl: A meeting is being held on February 25, 2009 for a volunteer orientation session with purchasing requirements. Kat Cannelongo stated she will attend the meeting. The secretary stated she will e-mail the memo to all Committee members.
Miscellaneous item: Jennie Floyd spoke about an article she saw in a magazine regarding pod-casts on MP3 records. She thought this may be a good idea to describe sites around the town and put them on the website for downloading, CD’s could also be included in order to raise the Historic Committee’s visibility. She will check on the technical requirements needed ie: memory for interfacing on the computer and East Amwell website.
Approval of Bills: Martha Pittore- November hours total 5.5@ $12.84=$70.62
December hours total 1.75@$12.84=$22.47
A Motion was made Frances Gavigan to approve the bills as submitted, second by Dave Harding. Motion carried unanimously.
Open to the Public:
Motion to open the meeting to the public was made by Mary VanHorn, second by Frances Gavigan. No public was in attendance. Motion to close the meeting was made by Barbara Sagesar, second by Frances Gavigan. Both motions carried unanimously.
Next Regular Meeting:
The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 24, 2009, at 7:30 at the East Amwell Municipal Building,
Adjournment:
Motion to adjourn was made by Dave Harding, second by Frances Gavigan. Motion carried unanimously. .
The meeting adjourned at 9:15p.m.
Respectfully, __________________________
Martha Pittore, Secretary
Historic Preservation Committee