A meeting of the Mountain Lakes Historic Preservation Committee was held on Feb 02, 2007 at the Mountain Lakes Borough Hall.  In attendance were Co-chairs Andy Bulfer & Peggy Bulfer, John Grossmann, Maria Iacullo-Bird, Margarethe Laurenzi, Joan Nix, Pat Rusak, and Chris Sheasby.  Absent were Laura Fitzgerald and Borough Council Liaison Ellen Emr.

Opening Items

• Minutes Approval -- The minutes from last time were approved with one correction.
  
  
• Treasurer's Report -- Treasurer Chris Sheasby reported the following financial information for the period Jan 11, 2007 through Feb 02, 2007.
  
  

  Opening balance (1/11/2007)	$2693.93
  Revenue	$125.00
  Expenses	$0.00
  Closing balance (2/02/2007)	$2818.93

  
  The major source of revenue during the period was the plaque program ($125) .
  
  
• Member Resignation -- It was announced that committee member Brigid Walsh has resigned.

Old Business

• Updating the Borough Master Plan -- The Committee discussed the Michele Donato letter and what the next steps should be.  There was agreement that the Historic Preservation chapter of the Master Plan needs to be reviewed and strengthened now that the historic district has been accomplished.  The Overview/Background section needs to be updated, the Specific Features and Sites section needs major enhancements, and a map of the historic district should be added.  It was decided to send a letter to the master plan committee of the planning board urging such a review and suggesting areas that need enhancing.  Joan Nix will prepare a draft of the letter and Maria Iacullo-Bird, Margarethe Laurenzi, and Andy Bulfer will review and polish it if necessary.  The HPC will be happy to assist the planning board if they wish.
  
  
• Public Awareness of the Historic District -- Maria Iacullo-Bird reported that she had contacted the state historic office and currently there is no funding available for historic markers.  A bill providing such funding has been proposed in the legislature but the probability of passage is not known.  It does show that the state has begun to recognize the need.  Chris Sheasby said there appears to be no funding available from the Morris County Heritage Commission.

  In the absence of Council Liaison Ellen Emr, the status of funding for the signs was not known.  Later after the meeting, Peggy Bulfer reported that the preliminary 2007 capital budget contains $5,000 for signs.

  The design of the markers was discussed including the possibility of a larger wooden sign similar to the new sign at the entrance to the Tourne.  It was decided to stay with smaller signs on steel posts as originally proposed but to change the design to have a more Arts and Crafts look/feel.
  
  

• Oral Histories -- There are now 12 oral histories on the Web site and 7 waiting to be put on.  Margarethe Laurenzi reported one originally done by Marion Rohrer had subsequently been reviewed and embellished by her sons.  She felt it had been a definite improvement and made more interesting reading.  Laurenzi has not yet scheduled a "walkabout" with Gordon Tasker but plans to do so soon.
  
  
• HPC Brochure -- Several more paper options were submitted by Peggy Bulfer and the Committee chose one.  After discussion, the Committee decided to change the emphasis of the brochure from the HPC to the historic district.  Maria Iacullo-Bird will draft another version of the text for review by the Committee.
  
  
• Updating the HPC Pages on the Web Site -- Maria Iacullo-Bird continues to review the material.
  
  
• Audio Walking Tour -- John Grossmann reported that he is almost finished reviewing the oral histories for information about locations passed on the walking tour.  He will contact his friend Tom Dagger for status of his part.
  
  
• Picture Scanning -- Andy Bulfer reported that there are now a total of 602 pictures on the Web site, 507 of houses and 95 photos of early life.  There are 271 individual houses on 32 streets represented.  Pat Rusak said there are still several streets left to do.
  
  

New Business

• Christopher Palazzi Market Project -- The Committee discussed this project and had strong reservations about it.  It was decided to send a letter to Palazzi suggesting the benefits to retaining the original historic building that he might not have considered.  Joan Nix will draft the letter.  She will also inform the Committee when the project is on the Planning Board agenda.
  
  
• Orientation Session -- On Saturday, Feb 03, the Borough is having their bi-annual orientation meeting for new (and old) committee members.  Andy Bulfer plans to attend and represent the HPC.  Peggy Bulfer urged that any HPC member who hasn't been to a session before may find it interesting.
  
  
• New Members -- Several suggestions were made for possible new committee members.  Peggy Bulfer will review the names with Borough Council Liaison Ellen Emr and contact those with whom Emr concurs.
  
  

Date for Next Meeting

The next meeting will be on Wed March 07, 2007 at 7:30 pm in Borough Hall.

Andy Bulfer