Historic Preservation Commission

MADISON HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting – December 13, 2016 Attending: Co-Chairmen John Solu and Janet Foster; Members, Karen Jeisi, Chris Kellogg, Mary Ellen Lenahan, David Luber and Carmine Toto; Council Liaison Patrick Rowe; and Recording Secretary Laurie Hagerich. Absent: Membes, John Forte and William VanRyzin. The meeting was called to order as an open public meeting at 7:30 p.m. in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act. The November 15, 2016, minutes were considered and by unanimous consent the minutes were approved as written. For Action: TCC request for review 230 Main Street: Plans for alterations and expansion of a building at 230 Main Street were reviewed at TCC’s request. Since the property is not designated as a Historic Site on the Madison Master Plan and is not located in a designated historic district, MHPC had no comment. Ms. Foster will write a confirming letter to Fran Boardman at the Madison Zoning Board. The Commission decided a goal for 2017 would be to review the County of Morris’s update and revisions to the Inventory of Historic Sites and accept or reject the County’s statements about the revisions made to the Historic Survey. Mr. Gertler had requested that MHPC identify properties that might be targeted for demolition by developers to aid in making zoning laws more flexible and to encourage preservation of these properties. The Commission will devote an allotted time period at each meeting for this review process. Developing creative alternatives to demolitions can help to preserve the historic and architectural integrity of the Borough. Historic Districts and streetscapes are very important in this process. New Business: John Street proposed demolition: Mr. Solu showed pictures of a Borough owned concrete block outbuilding near the Borough Garage on John Street, which the Borough plans to demolish and replace with a new training facility building. Police Lt. Joseph Longo requested review by MHPC. The building, previously used as a small animal shelter, was donated to the Borough by Geraldine R. Dodge, and a bronze plaque on the building commemorates the donation. The building is not on any inventory or list of historic properties, is not visible to the public and has no architectural significance. MHPC recommends the plaque commemorating the donation by Mrs. Dodge be saved and given to St. Hubert’s Animal Shelter or the Madison Historical Society. MHPC further requests that the Police Department take photographs to document the building, which should be given to the Madison Historical Society as a record of the strictire. Ms. Foster will write a confirming letter to Police Chief Dachiel, Lt. Longo and Russ Brown. Update of Ridgedale Avenue District Nomination: The Commission will work on this project in connection with looking at all sites, to make sure all properties, outbuildings and other structures that should have been included in the Bottle Hill Historic District are included. The revisions will then go to the Mayor and Council and a public hearing scheduled. It was noted the renovations of the “cottage” home at 34 Ridgedale Avenue are proceeding very well, and this project may be worthy of a Preservation award. All Commission members were asked to consider a person or persons who might serve as Chairperson or Co-Chairpersons of MHPC, since Mr. Solu and Ms. Foster have reached the end of their terms. The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Laurie Hagerich, Recording Secretary