Historic Preservation Committee

Meeting Minutes -- Feb 6, 2008

A meeting of the Mountain Lakes Historic Preservation Committee was held on Feb 6, 2008 at the Mountain Lakes Borough Hall.  In attendance were co-chairs Andy Bulfer & Peggy Bulfer, John Grossmann, Bonnie Rosenthall, Chris Sheasby, Pat Rusak, and Borough Council Liaison Steve Shaw.  Absent was Maria Iacullo-Bird.

Opening Items

• Treasurer's Report -- Treasurer Chris Sheasby reported the following financial information for the period Jan 16, 2008 through Feb 6, 2008.
  
  

  Opening balance	$3284.77
  Revenue	$169.00
  Expenses	1000.00
  Closing balance	$2453.77

  Sheasby noted that the revenue was for a Belhall Plaque.  Expenses were for a down payment on the bronze Boulevard signs.

Public Comments

None.

Old Business

• Mountain Lakes History Book -- Peggy Bulfer reported the status of the history book.  The review of the author proposals has been delayed because of a legal issue with the Borough which has now been resolved.  Four finalists have been selected and each has been asked to write a "sidebar" to assess their writing style.  These are due on Feb 15.  After that, interviews will be conducted, an author will be selected, and final negotiations will be completed.  More investigation of publishers must be done.  A detailed report will be given to the HPC at the next meeting and a presentation to the Borough Council on March 24.  Bulfer said she has not yet notified the authors who were not selected as finalists but she will do so immediately.

  Bulfer also reported that a local graphic artist has offered to help with the graphic design of the book if we wish.

• Historic Signs -- The Committee approved the final design.  Chris Sheasby will place the order which will include the two bronze 18 x 24 signs, a post, and small rosettes to cover the mounting screws.  Manufacturing and delivery will take 10-15 business days.  Sheasby has already left a deposit of $1000.  The balance of $1115 will be due on delivery.
• HPC Open House -- Bonnie Rosenthall reported on planning for this event.  The open house will be held on Fri/Sat Feb 29-Mar 1, 2008 at the Community Church.  Admission will be free.  It will feature the Craftsman Farms gift shop which will provide some items for sale as well as answering questions and offering membership information.  Several vendors of Arts and Crafts products such as home furnishings, lights, radiator covers, furniture are also coming with substantial amounts of merchandise to show.  There will be door prizes each day donated by Craftsman Farms and the vendors.

  HPC merchandise will be offered including house plaques, historic photos, the Guidelines book, the 75^th Anniversary calendars, sets of four desert plates with Mountain Lakes scenes.  Rosenthall showed a tee shirt design which was approved by the Committee.  She plans on selling them and has ordering 100 of various sizes.  HPC brochures will also be available.

  It was decided to have a slide show of historic pictures running continuously.  Andy Bulfer will assemble the show.  The Library's screen and projector will be used. 

  There will be homemade ginger snaps and hot mulled cider available for refreshments to give the room a warm wintry smell.

  There was extensive discussion of publicity.  Notices have already been placed in the January and February Home and School Bulletin.  A notice has been placed on the Web site and will be on the Community Bulletin Board.  An article was also carried in the Craftsman Farms magazine.  Sandwich signs will be placed on the Boulevard a few days before the event.  A flyer, based on the Home and School article will be posted at many places around town: Library, Borough Hall, post office, Dell's Village, 55 Plus meetings.  In addition, Andy Bulfer will help Rosenthall develop a press release which will be sent to four newspapers that serve the town.  Members of the Committee were urged to remind their friends.

• Oral Histories -- John Grossmann reported that an interview with Buz and Robin Bedford has been completed and forwarded to Andy Bulfer for installation on the Web site.  This time, a photo will be used too, an innovation by Grossmann.  The Peter Haas interview has been given to the interviewer and to Haas for review and improvement in some areas. 

  Grossmann also reported we have received very extensive written material and photos from a recent Class of 1957 reunion.

• Audio Walking Tour -- John Grossmann said his committee continues to make good progress.  Most of the 12 stops on the route are finished or nearly so.  Despite a tour of the building, Grossmann reported he needs more information about Lake Drive School.  The Committee offered numerous suggestions.

No Progress

• Morris County Acroterion Survey.
• Updating the HPC Pages on the Web Site.
• Picture Scanning.

New Business

• Next Steps on Public Awareness of the Historic District - Andy Bulfer presented some ideas for changes to Borough stationary to highlight the Borough's inclusion in the Federal and New Jersey Registers of Historic Places.  After some discussion, the Committee selected a design based on the Willow Arts and Crafts font but with changes to the "o"s which the Committee did not like.  Andy Bulfer will meet with Borough Manager Joe Tempesta to discuss getting the new stationary ordered.

  The Committee also expressed interest in getting the same headings on planning/zoning forms.

  It was proposed that a sign be designed and constructed for the Borough Council chamber.  It was decided to investigate the feasibility and cost of an embossed or routed indoor wooden sign of the same design as the outdoor bronze historic signs except in 27 x 36 inch size.  Chris Sheasby will check with several possible suppliers. 

Date for Next Meeting

The next meeting will be on Weds March 5, 2008 at 7:30 PM in Borough Hall.

Andy Bulfer