Historic Preservation Commission

BOROUGH OF WESTWOOD HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Minutes - Wednesday, March 14, 2018 OPENING OF THE MEETING 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:32pm. 2. Statement of Adequate Notice. 3. Pledge of Allegiance 4. Roll Call: a. Present: Alena Bohacova, Lauren Letizia, Councilwoman Erin Collins, Lisa Marinkovic, David Hohmann, Maureen Murray, Michael Malatino. b. Not Present: James Whelan and Grace Pesanti. G. Deitrich, consultant, not requested for participation at this meeting based on agenda items. MINUTES: Approval of December 2017 – Carried over until next meeting. Approval of February 2018 – M. Murray stated that the February 14, 2018 meeting minutes contained the wrong date for the Pride Day. Verbally amended to show Pride Day as Sunday, June 3. Motion to approve the minutes with corrected date by A. Bohacova and 2 by Lisa nd Marinkovic. All in favor. PROCEDURAL HPC 2017 YE Report to Planning Board. It is on the agenda for March 22, 2018. CORRESPONDENCE The Commission did not receive any correspondence since the last meeting. E. Collins stated that there is no update on individual emails. STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS and VOUCHERS 1. YTD Spending Report. The current spending is at $168.75 and there is a hold in a sum of $225 for attendance of educational events for 3 members. 2. 2018 Budget Update - E. Collins. The budget should be finalized by mid- March in the amount of $4450. OLD BUSINESS 1. Train Station Nomination Status Update - L. Letizia. The nomination was submitted on March 5, 2018. L. Letizia sent an email to Greg Diaz, NJ Transit Property Manager, what shall satisfy the notification condition for submission once receipt is confirmed. 2. Historic Sites Inventory – Updates, maintenance, and publication. Report by L. Letizia. L. Letizia and E. Collins met with Armand Marini to discuss the 100+ properties the HPC had identified as having historic importance, based on the Master Plan and subsequent survey work. Mr. Marini agreed to notify the HPC when one of the identified properties request a building permit. This notification will provide HPC an opportunity to monitor changes for the sake of maintaining the inventory and perhaps reach out to the property owner in an advisory capacity. L. Letizia reported that the State Department of Community Affairs passed a new regulation, which significantly reduced the  requirements for permit requests for minor repairs. This new rule change may have a significant impact for HPC, especially how the Commission monitors repairs made to properties of interest. a. E. Collins suggested mailing out a yearly reminder to the owners. b. L. Letizia noted some boroughs send out a reminder on the tax document once a year. c. L. Letizia discussed the benefits of keeping a list of properties by address under the HPC tab of the borough website. The list should contain a note, “If you own one of these homes, please come see HPC”. i. Motion to add a list under the HPC section of the website, which will contain the address, the build date and the style of the property by L. Letizia, second by D. Hohmann. All in favor. L. Letizia to provide the list to the borough clerk. d. E. Collins added to the discussion that NJACTB.org keeps catalog of all the properties in NJ. 3. Self-Guided Walking Tour. a. Digital Component. L. Letizia suggested mygooglemaps for digital component of the walking tour. b. Creation of the Map & Pamphlet. L. Letiza presented two different samples for the printed version to go along with the self-guided walking tour. c. Additional Components: Instagram, Flat Stanley/Flat Mayor Bogert. d. Deadline to finish the research by member is March 23, 2018. 4. Pride Day Table, Sunday June 3, 2018 a. Historic Buildings Coloring Sheets. D. Hohmann presented 2 proposals for the coloring sheet. A. Bohacova suggested to include the band stand and train station for the coloring component. Motion to allocate funds to purchase or acquire crayons, not to exceed $20, for the pride day by L. Letizia and second by L. Marinkovic. All in favor. L. Letizia to request purchase order. 5. Training Opportunities a. “Preservation in Practice” March 10, 2018 - L. Letizia, M. Malatino and A. Bohacova attended. L. Letizia reported on the workshop. One of the common themes was that in New Jersey HPC is granted its power by the NJ Land Use Law. Additional discussions helod on CLG and the HPC ordinance; see relevant discussions under New Business. b. Preserving your Historic Home - Bergen County Dept of Cultural Affairs Workshop – L. Letizia reported that the speaker has his own consulting company and he was an excellent speaker. c. Annual NJ History and Historic Preservation Conference – Friday, June 8 at Passaic County College, Paterson (Details TBD). d. L. Letizia and A. Bohacova suggested inviting speakers to be more cost effective in making sure the commission is properly trained. NEW BUSINESS 1. Certified Local Government Program. L. Letizia stated that the State Historic Preservation Office has a certified local government program (“CLG”). CLG designation is profitable in various ways including providing grants, commission guidance, and  training opportunities. For example, River Edge is CLG. L. Letizia recommended that it is something the Commission should consider in the future and she has reached out to the program director requesting more information. 2. HPC ordinance. In light of topics discussed at the Preservation in Practice workshop, M. Malatino suggested identifying shortcoming of the Westwood HPC ordinance and re- drafting it. Motion to create a working sub-committee of 3 members to review and report on the current ordinance by L. Letizia and second by D. Hohmann. All in favor. The Sub-committee will consist of D. Hohmann, M. Malatino and A. Bohacova. Motion to allocate funds to have the borough attorney attending one of the meetings to review the ordinance by D. Hohmann. Discussion was had regarding appropriateness and timing. Commission agreed that the subcommittee should have a chance to work prior to requesting counsel. There was also consideration of working with free County and State advisement. Motion was withdrawn by D. Hohmann. 3. Jefferson Ave Historic District Brochure for website & Community Center – table until after the pride day. 4. Social Media a. Borough Policy b. Open Discussion on benefits and interest c. Motion to submit paperwork for social media accounts by L. Letizia and second by D. Hohmann. All in favor. L. Letizia to submit form to borough administrator. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn by L. Letizia and second by D. Hohmann at 9:00. All in favor.