Item #23
Closter Historical Society
"HISTORY NOTES"
Newsletter # 14, January 2002
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Preservation Matters:
"Closter Historic Preservation Ordinance Finally Passes"
On December 17th, 2001, the Closter Mayor and Council passed Ordinance # 2001:852, which sets up the procedures for designating historic sites and districts and also the mechanism and procedures for reviewing demolition and design changes to these resources.
1. The Designation Process
At this juncture the Preservation Commission will begin to designate individual buildings. The designation process as outlined in the ordinance is not immediate. It entails a detailed designation report outlining the reasons why the building or site is historically significant and lists the architectural features or criteria that make it unique. For example, a Dutch sandstone house is important because of age, association with the earliest settlement period and architecturally for its distinctive sandstone walls.
Then there is ownership notification and a public hearing scheduled by the Preservation Commission. Thereafter the council and planning board review the reports and materials. Finally, at a scheduled mayor and council meeting the council votes as to whether the site becomes a locally designated landmark.
2. The Review Process
After designation all applications for building permits with regard to this property are forwarded to the Commission by the Buildings Department or Planning and Zoning Boards. A one page Certificate of Appropriateness describing the work to be done is available at the buildings department. If it is for major work it will be reviewed at the Preservation Commission’s monthly meeting. For minor work such as windows the Chairman of the Commission on a weekly or on-call basis will review it.
"Please Call Pat 767-7974 or Doug 767-8324 if you have any questions."
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Winter Events
The Winter Lecture Series:
For the 5th winter season this popular series of free evening slide and talk shows about area history and preservation will take place during the months of January, February and March. They will be held at the Tenakill School Auditorium 1st floor, 275 High Street, Closter. Free!
Thurs., Jan. 17th, 8 PM: "Camp Merritt, World War I: Farewells and Influenza." By John Spring, former Pres. BC Historical Soc., Cresskill historian
John Spring will present new facts based upon original research about the devastating influenza outbreak, which depleted the American forces as they were being deployed to the European front.
Thurs., Feb. 7th, 8 PM: "Palisades Interstate Park: The Early Days." By Eric Nelson, Park Interpreter
Eric’s presentation will focus upon slides of the early days of the creation of the PIP. These images are from the Park’s collection of over 3,000 photos and have not been seen previously by the public.
Thurs., March 28th, 8 PM: "The Closter Historical Society: An Update on Work and Projects." By Pat Garbe Morillo, Society President
Spring Events
Sunday, April 15th: Bus Tour of select Closter area Colonial Period Dutch Sandstone and frame Greek/Federal Period Revival Homes.
Also included will be the Naugle/Auryansen Cemetery on Hickory Lane. All details to be announced. Refreshments will be served along the route.
Call Pat for details–201-767-7974 or Bill 201-768-1034.
Historic District Walking Tour: The Society’s bi-annual walking tour will be conducted by Bill Cahill through the historic downtown commercial and residential district. Over 240 buildings illustrate the late 19th century era of the borough history as a railroad suburb. Call for details.
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UPDATES
Preservation Commission and Borough Applies for CLG Status:
The borough and historic preservation commission have applied to the State Historic Preservation Office for the coveted Certified Local Government program which administers appropriated funds issued by the National Park Service.
In order to be eligible the town must have an ordinance with teeth and a professionally qualified preservation commission.
As a CLG the borough is eligible to apply for 60/40 matching grants for projects dealing with preservation planning such as pre-construction and cost analysis for restoration projects. This could include a plan for our downtown and could have provided the fee for a more professional and respectable cost analysis for the Village School.
"Because of the lack of applications in the State of NJ, CLG grants are presently 100%."
Belskie Show a Success:
The history exhibit entitled "Closter and Alpine: Images and Objects," during the month of October was very successful. The professional look of the show prompted many residents to suggest that a permanent exhibit of this type be set up in the borough.
Two Historic Homes Sold and Safe:
Both the Bogert House, 1 County Rd. and the Doremus House, 269 Piermont Rd., our two Greek Revival Style homes mentioned in September’s newsletter have been sold and will survive. Much thanks to the sellers who painstakingly searched for the "right" buyers.
Historic Sites and The Master Plan:
Soon the borough will be required by law to update the Master Plan. The last one in 1996 contained a list of significant historic sites and properties in Closter, including the historic district, the 10 sandstone houses and the Hickory Lane Cemetery.
It also recommended study of a long-range plan to protect these resources. The recent ordinance was part of this process since the master plan does not provide the mechanism for this type of protection. Protection within the zoning code is only provided by the preservation ordinance.
"Closter/Alpine" book in 2nd Printing: Brisk sales of the Arcadia history book, over 1600, since July equals 1600 more. Proceeds via direct sales benefit the historical society and our programs. We also have the cotton blankets in green and cranberry. Call Pat 767-7974.
About "Dutch" Sandstone Houses: Closter is most fortunate to have 10 Colonial period stone houses. Only Franklin Lakes has more (14). In Bergen County there are 211 (dating from the late 1600s-1850s), which have enough of their original fabric and massing left to have the honor of being listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places.
They are characterized by sandstone walls, which can range from finely tooled block, such as the Demaree House, to more course rubble. They all have gable or gambrel roofs and some retain the flare at the end of the eaves. This feature kept water run off away from the foundation.
"The early stone house associated with the Dutch-American Cultural Group–is also one of the most important early building types in America." T.R. Brown & S. Warmflash, The Architecture of Bergen County, New Jersey
In Closter all the facades of the houses face south to catch the low arc and light of the winter sun. Our houses range in size from a small single room, one story, plans (Vervalen House, 151 West St.), to large two-story center hallways with 4 rooms on each floor, and one-and-a half story side wings (Durie-Terhune House, 257 Schraalenbugh Rd.). The Isaac Naugle House, 80 Hickory Lane, is a pristine example of the double entrance door facade, the original "Dutch" duplex.
In Closter they range in date from circa 1735 Resolvent Naugle House, 119 Hickory Lane to circa 1830 Demaree House on Schraalenburg Rd. The Resolvent Naugle House is the earliest extant structure in the borough and one of the earliest stone houses in Bergen County. Resolvent was one of the first settlers arriving here in 1710.
Who’s who on the Historic Preservation Commission:
The commission appointed by the mayor and council is made up of 7 members, 5 regular and a 1st and 2nd alternate. Qualifications are defined in the Municipal Land Use Law.
Pat Garbe Morillo is a professional preservationist and architectural historian.
Doug Radick is an architect who has restored his home in the historic district.
Bill Cahill is a trained artist, former director of the Belskie Museum and English teacher at FDU.
Irene Stella is CEO of Stella Shows and owner of the Van Horne House on Cedar Lane.
Grisha Davida has completed an award winning restoration of the Auryansen House on Piermont Rd.
Wilson Reimers, 1st alternate, is a retired designer, on the board of the Belskie and restorer of a high style Queen Anne style home on Durie Ave.
Barbara Guile, 2nd alternate, is a fifth generation Closterite and appointed borough historian.
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If you are interested in becoming a member of the Closter Historical Society please complete the below Registration form and send it to Pat Morillo at 68 Taylor Drive, Closter, NJ 07624. (E-mail: patmorillo@aol.com )
Name: ________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________
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