1 Collyer Lane, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
Phone: 908-204-3001; Fax: 908-204-3015; Website: www.bernards.org
Resolution #2013-0164
Authorizing Submission of a Grant Proposal by the Friends of The Kennedy-Martin-Stelle Farmstead to The Somerset County
Cultural And Heritage Commission for an Historic Preservation Grant In The Amount Of $249,646
to Prepare the English Barn for Three Season, ADA-Compliant Occupancy Including Specifically, an ADA Access Ramp, a Weather
Tight Emergency Egress Door Inside the North Sliding Barn Doors and Electrical Service and Lighting for the Barn, to Repair and
Stabilize the Basement Foundation of the Fireplace Which is Located in the Dining Room of the Farmhouse, to Provide a Tarp for the
Roof of the Cow Shed, to Preserve and Restore the Ice House and to Provide for an Historic Marker
WHEREAS, the Township Committee of the Township of Bernards acquired the Kennedy-Martin-Stelle Farmstead as part of an open
space acquisition; and,
WHEREAS, the Township Committee of the Township of Bernards recognizes the historical significance of the Kennedy-MartinStelle Farmstead and believes it prudent to preserve; and,
WHEREAS, the Kennedy-Martin-Stelle Farmstead is a community landmark that reflects the rich heritage of Bernards Township,
and
WHEREAS, Bernards Township acquired the property with municipal open space funds in 1999; in 2001 appointed a task force to
preserve the Farmstead; and undertook successful preservation grant requests totaling $839,657; and
WHEREAS, the Township Committee has entrusted the Friends of the Kennedy-Martin-Stelle Farmstead to be stewards of the
Farmstead Property; and
WHEREAS, it is the mission of the Friends of the Kennedy-Martin-Stelle Farmstead to preserve and operate the Farmstead, which is
listed on the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places, as Farmstead Arts, a non-profit center for fine, performing and
practical arts; and
WHEREAS, the Friends of the Kennedy-Martin-Stelle Farmstead were awarded a 2010 grant for $ 176,483 from the Garden State
Historic Preservation Trust to prepare the interior of the English Barn for public use, including the elevation of two transverse beams
that limit use of the west end of the barn, installation of a concrete slab and partial wood floor; and a weather-tight emergency-egress
door on the south side of the barn; and
WHEREAS , in order to have the English Barn eligible for a certificate of occupancy, additional work must be completed including
the installation of an ADA access ramp, weather tight doors over the sliding barn doors and electrical service and lighting for the
barn; and
WHEREAS, the Friends of the Kennedy-Martin-Stelle Farmstead believe it is imperative to complete the requested work on the
English Barn as soon as possible to generate revenue to support the entire Farmstead project; and
WHEREAS, the Friends of the Kennedy-Martin-Stelle Farmstead were awarded a 2011 grant for $118,504 for basement structural
support, main room floor repairs, the installation of a stone stoop at the south entry door, insulation of the attic and box sill, repair &
repainting of all windows, repair of the southern exterior door and rebuilding a screen door, installation of a door for the A/C closet,
building of sidewalks on the north and south side of the Farm House, restoration of the well house, a preservation plan for the cow
shed, and repair of one of the beams in the English Barn; and
WHEREAS, the Friends of the Kennedy-Martin-Stelle Farmstead believe the repair and stabilization of the basement foundation of
the dining room fireplace is essential for the stabilization of the entire Farm House, and that the tarp on cow shed roof is in need of
replacement to prevent further deterioration of the cow shed, that the Ice House is in need of restoration as it contributes to the unique
historic assemblage that makes the Farmstead such a valuable resource for historical education, and an Historic Marker is important
for historic tourism and historic education relating to the site; and
WHEREAS, the requested funds will enable preparation of the English Barn for three season, day and evening use, ADA compliant
public use, will stabilize the foundation of the Farm House, stabilize the Cow Shed, restore the Ice House and allow for the installation
of an Historic Marker for the property; and
WHEREAS, fine and performing artists and practical arts practitioners have expressed keen interest in use of the English Barn, and
these same people are already intensively using the Farm House for fine and performing arts programming; and
WHEREAS, the English Barn and Farm House at the Farmstead have been preserved and restored with generous assistance from
Bernards Township, Somerset County, the Historical Society of the Somerset Hills, the New Jersey Historic Trust, the Bernardsville
Rotary Club, the Bona Fides of Basking Ridge, members of the Friends of the Kennedy-Martin-Stelle Farmstead, foundations, and
over 140 local volunteers; and
WHEREAS, the Friends of the Kennedy-Martin-Stelle Farmstead undertook successful preservation grant requests totaling $618, 838
and successfully managed the use of these grants; and
WHEREAS, the Township Committee of the Township of Bernards believes this property is an excellent candidate for a grant from
the Somerset County 2013 Historic Preservation Grant Program.
WHEREAS, there are no Township of Bernards matching funds required.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Township Committee of the Township of Bernards, that it does hereby authorize
the Kennedy-Martin-Stelle Farmstead to submit a grant application to the Somerset County 2013 Historic Preservation Grant Program.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Township Committee of the Township of Bernards, that the Mayor and Clerk are
hereby authorized to sign the grant on behalf of the township.
Agenda and Date Voted: 04/09/2013
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify this is a true and exact copy of a resolution adopted
by the Bernards Township Committee on 04/09/2013.
Denise Szabo, Municipal Clerk
Explanatory Statement
This grant will enable the Friends of the Kennedy-Martin-Stelle Farmstead to prepare the English Barn for three season, ADA-compliant occupancy including
specifically, an ADA access ramp, weather tight emergency egress doors inside the north sliding barn door and electrical service and lighting for the barn, to repair and
stabilize the basement foundation of the fireplace which is located in the dining room of the farmhouse, to preserve and restore the Ice House and to provide for a
Historic Marker.
Date:
3/18/13
John B. Campbell