A meeting of the Mountain Lakes Historic Preservation Committee was held on July 05, 2006 at the Mountain Lakes Borough Hall.  In attendance were Co-chairs Andy & Peggy Bulfer, Maria Iacullo-Bird, Pat Rusak, Chris Sheasby, Margarethe Laurenzi, & Joan Nix.  Absent were Laura Fitzgerald, Brigid Walsh, John Grossmann, & Borough Council Liaison Richard Urankar.

Opening Items

• Minutes Approval -- The minutes from last time were approved.  It was decided that henceforth the minutes would be approved electronically prior to the succeeding meeting.
  
  
• Treasurer's Report -- Treasurer Chris Sheasby reported that the checking balance is $3485.  The major sources of revenue are the Plaque program, the Architectural Salvage Warehouse and the Historic Pictures.  It was decided to advertise the Plaque program again.  Chris will put a notice on the Notice Board of the Borough Web site and perhaps in Sept on the Bulletin Board outside of Borough Hall.
  
  

Old Business

• Picture Scanning: Status and Plans -- There is still a large number of historic photos to be scanned.  The scanning can be done in the downstairs room at the Library so it is not essential that it be done when the Library is closed.  Pat Rusak passed around a sign-up sheet for scheduling the scanning which will include weekday daytimes as well as weekends.  Each scanning session will be done by Andy Bulfer and one other member of the Committee.  Rusak will select the books (streets) to be scanned prior to each scanning session.
  
  
• Reestablishing the Archive Room -- Pat Rusak reported the climate control systems in the room are not yet working satisfactorily so she cannot start moving materials into it. 

  Rusak has chosen the shelving but not yet purchased it and there was a concern whether it would fit.  It was decided to buy one shelf and try it.  The Borough crew has agreed to install the shelves. 

  Another issue was the UV shields on the lights.  Rusak has seen a type she thinks is satisfactory and will work with Joan Nix to resolve whether it can be used.

  Peggy Bulfer reported that Laura Fitzgerald is getting an estimate for moving the extremely heavy filing cabinet.  Bulfer felt that if the estimate is not excessive, the Library Board would pay for it.
  
  

• Status of Oral Histories -- Margarethe Laurenzi reported that several items have been added to the Borough Web site including a lengthy interview with George Wilson conducted by Peter Holmberg.

  There was a discussion of how to better organize and index the historical material on the Web site since the quantity has grown so large.  Currently the oral histories are organized by the year when the respondent first lived in Mountain Lakes, oldest first.  Unfortunately if you are looking for background on a particular house or about a particular person, this makes it difficult to find.  The Committee members said they would think about it and forward prioritized ideas to Andy Bulfer.

  Interest was also expressed in putting some of the old directories on the Web site.  Pat Rusak reported she regularly gets calls from residents asking who were the original owners of their house.

  It was decided to install John Steen's historic speech on the Web site.
  
  

• Certificates of Commendation -- Joan Nix reported that the thank-you letters accompanying the certificates have been assembled for the approximately 50-60 people who worked on the Historic District project.  Nix said that Laura Fitzgerald will begin delivering the certificates and letters on July 6.
  
  
• Next Steps for Historic District -- The committee members reviewed the historic element of the Master Plan and concluded it needs to be updated.  It represents a view circa 1995 and its focus is on several specific historic sites in town.  It needs to be brought up to date, reflect a broader focus on the entire historic district, and include planned means for the district's preservation. 

  It was decided that Margarethe Laurenzi & Joan Nix will assemble a list of specific issues and questions and solicit a proposal for writing a new element from preservation attorney Michele Donato.  The proposal should cover what the committee should do next, what role Donato could play, and what the cost would be.

  Last time, Brigid Walsh was asked to check the Master Plans of Madison, Chatham, and Washington Township.  Although Walsh did not attend the meeting, the Committee expressed desire for her to continue and report the results of her effort.
  
  

• Walking Tour -- The MS Word document has been obtained but it is quite large.  There was a discussion of what the objectives are for putting it on the Borough Web site and how best to organize the material.  It was decided to expurgate the child-oriented portions and edit it down so that it can feasibly be printed and the hard-copy carried by someone as they walk.  Interest was also expressed in having an MP3 narrative that could be loaded into an iPod or equivalent music player to hear about the sites on the walk, similar to the podcasts in museums.
  
  
• Historic Mountain Lakes DVD -- Andy Bulfer has researched who in town might have the skills to help with this project.  So far he has not uncovered anyone both willing and able.  He will continue looking.
  
  
• Architectural Warehouse -- Pat Rusak and Joan Nix reported that Richard Pierce has agreed to take over running the warehouse.  Chris Sheasby plans to purchase new locks and keys to replace the rusted existing ones and to better control who has access.  She will purchase four keys and provide one each to Pierce and Mac McElduff and will retain the other two. 
  
  

New Business

• HPC Brochure -- Andy Bulfer reported that he attempted to contact Emily Wolfe to retrieve the original but she is out of the country until late July.  He will try then.  Several committee members said they may have it on their computers and will look for it.
  
  

Date for Next Meeting

The Committee decided to hold their meetings henceforth on the 1st Wednesday of every month at 7:30 pm with the exception that there will be no meeting in August 2006.  The next regular meeting will be on Sep 06, 2006 at 7:30 pm in Borough Hall.

Andy Bulfer