MAHWAH HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION (MHPC)
December 1, 2008
Roll Call
Present
Barbara Shanley
Randall Brewster
John Bristow
Deborah Grob
Gus Vasiliadis, (late 8:00pm)
Yvonne Beatrice
Absent
Marthajean Drago, excused
Lynn Ballerini, excused
Kenneth Cerullo, excused
Carol Greene
Salute to the flag
The secretary read the Sunshine Law.
Public Session: Mr. Bristow moved to open the Public Session, and Mr. Brewster seconded the
motion. All approved.
No members of the public were present.
Mrs. Grob moved to close the Public Session, and Mr. Bristow seconded the motion. All approved.
Legal: Mrs. DeScherer was not present, no report.
Minutes: October 6, 2008 Minutes: Under Crocker Mansion, first sentence, Mr. Brewster
corrected spelling of Crooker Mansion to Crocker Mansion and under Old Business, first sentence
changed ….will contact owners of 22 Masonicus Road, to will contact Eikon Planning on the plans
of 22 Masonicus Road.
Mrs. Shanley corrected Issac Bogert to Isaac Bogert, and under Crocker Mansion, second
paragraph, first sentence change ….waivers from the owner, to …..waiver requests by the owner,
and under Demolition Applications, first sentence, change ….the owner was ordered to demolition
to …..the owner is ordered to demolish.
Mr. Bristow moved to approve the October 6, 2008 minutes as corrected. All approved motion.
Vote: 5 yes 0 no: Grob, yes; Beatrice, yes; Bristow, yes; Brewster, yes; Shanley, yes.
Chairs Report:
Mrs. Shanley reported that the Historic Recognition Awards were presented at the November 13,
2008 Council meeting. The DeSilva’s and representatives’ from the Samaj Temple were not able to
attend.
Master Plan:
Continental Soldiers Park Cistern: HPC was contacted by a hiker, David Howard, that he and some
friends found an opening to a cistern on the grounds of Continental Soldiers Park. It is located
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about 150 yards behind the Darlington Schoolhouse. It is covered by a metal grate. However, the
cover is not sealed and should be. Mrs. Shanley added it to the Master Plan historic sites list.
25 Airmont Road: Mr. and Mrs. Michael Murphy, 25 Airmont Road, Mahwah contacted Mrs.
Shanley inquiring about the historic status of their home, which they were told was built in 1769.
Because the house is not visible from the road, Mrs. Shanley reported that the property was
probably overlooked when the Bergen County Historic Sites Survey was done. The property needs
to be researched at the Hackensack archives. The Murphy’s are very interested in listing their
house on the Historic Element of Ordinance 1313.
Historic Marker: Mrs. Shanley contacted Mr. Whitaker, Esq., attorney, for the owners of the Winter
Farmhouse, 1 Farmstead Way. He gave her the owner’s name, Harry Fredericks of Provant LLC.
Mrs. Shanley will contact the owner for permission to look inside the house.
At this time, Mr. Vasiliadis joined the meeting (8:00pm).
Crocker Mansion: Mr. LaBarbiera is on vacation. The replacement windows are being installed
and look very good. At the same time, they are restoring the interior wood and slate roof. The HPC
is invited to view the restoration. However, arrangements must be made in advance.
Moffatt Road: Mrs. Shanley had no update and will check with Mr. Hallissey prior to the January 5,
2009 HPC meeting.
Budget: no report.
Old Business:
25 Masonicus Road: Mr. Brewster reported that he called Eikon Planning and left message for a
return call from Tammy Arkin. The owner is considering selling the property.
Cleveland Bridge: Mrs. Shanley distributed a letter from the Deerhaven Association to the Bergen
County Engineer, indicated that they are in agreement with the improvements that need to be done
to the Cleveland Bridge. Local Public traffic will use the Greene’s driveway as a temporary egress
and access road, and trucks only will use the southern entrance.
Historic Recognition Awards: Mrs. Shanley reported that the DeSilva’s will attend the HPC
January 5, 2009 meeting to accept their award.
The certificates will be redone with the correct information on both awardees certificate.
New Business:
West Mahwah: The Chair recommended that the HPC reapply for a no matching grant from the
County for a Survey of West Mahwah. Mrs. Shanley will attempt to complete the grant and ask
Mrs. Greene for her assistance.
Mr. Vasiliadis questioned the status of 1145 Ramapo Valley Road in regards to the Highlands Act.
Mrs. Shanley suggested that Mr. Vasiliadis contact the Environmental Commission.
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NJDEP Notice: The Commission had no comment.
General Discussion:
Mrs. Shanley is planning to attend the NJ Historic Trust Preservation Work Shop, on June 4, 2009
and asked if anyone else would like to attend to please contact her.
Mrs. Shanley suggested that the HPC no longer host a reception after the Historic Recognition
Award presentation. Mr. Vadiliadis suggested that the HPC make their decision based on the
annual recipients’ attendance.
Mr. Bristow moved to adjourn the meeting and Mr. Brewster seconded the motion. All approved.
The meeting adjourned at 8:28 p.m.
These minutes are a synopsis of the MHPC tapes, which are on file at the Township Hall.
/dms
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