Historic Preservation Commission

BOROUGH OF WESTWOOD HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Minutes, Wednesday, May 9, 2018 OPENING OF THE MEETING 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:35pm. 2. Statement of Adequate Notice 3. Pledge of Allegiance ROLL CALL 1. Present: Lauren Letizia, Councilwoman Erin Collins, Lisa Marinkovic, David Hohmann, James Whalen, Maureen Murray and Grace Pesanti. 2. Not Present: Alena Bohacova, Michael Malatino and G. Deitrich, consultant, not requested for participation at this meeting based on agenda items. MINUTES 1. Approval of April 2018 minutes. Motion to approve the minutes by L. Letizia and 2nd by D. Hohmann. All in favor. PROCEDURAL Nothing at this time. CORRESPONDENCE River Vale Heritage Society Bergen County Historic Preservation Awards on May 10th at 7:00p.m. STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS and VOUCHERS 1. YTD Spending Report. No change from April 2018 meeting. OLD BUSINESS 1. Westwood Train Station application. a. Bob Craig of the Bergen County review provided extensive notes and commentary regarding the Westwood Train Station application. The proposal was originally strictly for the Train Station to be considered but now the scope has changed to the entirety of the park. As per Gregory Dietrich, the park was not integral to the Train Station’s application. Ultimately Mr. Craig was ok with the nomination if half of the park was included – from the train tracks to the first row of the parking spaces. b. The HPC will need permission of the Borough to extend the scope of the application to include a portion of Veterans Park within the application. The purpose of the application is so that the Train Station and Park are kept intact in their current state. Should the Borough desire to change something on the property the protocol will be a submission on the State level to the State Historic Preservation Office and DEP and request permission to go forward with a change. c. There will be an extra level of paperwork regarding projects such as Eagle Scout projects to the park – a representative of the HPC would have to submit an application to the State’s Historic Preservation Office in order to gain permission. 1  BOROUGH OF WESTWOOD HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Minutes, Wednesday, May 9, 2018 d. The Train Station cannot be listed nationally without State approval – July 2018 is when the report will be reviewed in front of the Board. 2. 2018 Westwood Pride Day a. The Walking Tour for the HPC has been refined and is ready for unveiling i. The buildings that house Fairview Automotive and Tony D’s have been added to the tour. ii. David Hohmann will print walking tour maps for Pride Day iii. Instagram and Facebook accounts are up and running. Multiple people will be added to the Facebook pages for exposure. The HPC will be using the #historicwestwoodnj to link to the newly prepared Walking Tour Map. Members were asked to post on Facebook and Instagram and share the pages. The weeks leading up to Pride Day Lauren will post “teasers” to the social media pages. After Pride Day (June 3rd), the Westwood buildings on the Walking Tour will be posted. b. Display on Pride Day (Sunday, June 3rd) i. The Heritage Society suggested that there be something flat on the tables as well as frames and printed pictures of the buildings on the HPC’s tour. ii. Coloring pages will be provided for children of the different buildings on the tour. Black and White Coloring Sheets will be provided by Dave. There will be 8-10 different pictures provided. iii. Set up for Pride Day 1. 9:30a.m. – 11:00a.m. : Michael, Lisa and Jim 2. 11:00a.m. – 12:30p.m. : Alena and Maureen 3. 12:30p.m. – 2:00p.m. :Grace and Dave 4. 2:00p.m. – 3:00pm : ? 5. 3:30p.m. – 5:00p.m.: Lauren NEW BUSINESS 1. Bergen County Historic Grant a. There is an opportunity to apply for a grant but the HPC is currently unable to due to constraints applied by current ordinance. b. It is a matching grant to projects to restore buildings OR funding for ultimate goal of applying on National/State registry. c. Any project must have a Certificate of Eligibility from the State – i. The projects within Westwood that would qualify would be the Railroad Bridge, Train Station and Westwood Center Business District. d. The HPC has expressed an intent to apply to the County but the County is concerned due to our current budget. Projects range from $10,000 to $15,000. 2. L. Letizia met with Elaine Gold (Bergen County Representative) and Fred Rella (Westwood’s Grant Writer) to plan for next year and asking for a larger budget so that the HPC can tackle bigger projects. a. Certificates of Eligibility are pretty freely given out for certain sites. b. District vs. Building for a nomination was discussed. c. Is there a percentage of a district to be “contributing”? According to Elaine Gold, the answer is no – as long as there is a convincing argument. 2  BOROUGH OF WESTWOOD HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Minutes, Wednesday, May 9, 2018 d. It is relevant for the growth and development of the Borough. Discussed the different patterns of development and the reasoning as to why the development of the town formed as it did. e. There is a desire to make Westwood’s center business district historical. f. It was discussed as to what is considered encroachment vs. maintenance with regard to Veteran’s Park and the Train Station nomination. The Base Form would be filled out by a volunteer of the HPC not a Borough Professional. 3. 84 Washington Avenue, Westwood. a. 2005 – The process was started to demolish two buildings next to Visions FCU b. 84 Washington was the home of the Burdee family – Former Mayor of Westwood from 1956-1957 c. Arthur and Eric Burdee owned the former Ford Dealership as well as a tailor shop. d. 78 Washington Ave – Eric Burdee, President of the Chamber of Commerce lived at that address – Advocated for a Community Hospital which is now Hackensack North on Old Hook Road. $250,000 was donated to the hospital. e. Arthur Burdee owned Westwood Hills and the Kmart Complex. f. This property is a good candidate for a Base Form – Jim Whalen will prepare the form. g. The HPC can designate without the base form. 4. Upcoming Events a. Training Opportunities via the National Alliance through Webinars. Members were encouraged to check their emails. b. June 8th – Full Day Event – NJ History & Historic Preservation Committee 5. Jefferson Historic District Pamphlet has been tabled until after Pride Day. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn by L. Letizia and 2nd by J. Whalen at 8:47pm. All in favor. 3