Lillian G. Burry, Chairperson/Township Committee Liaison
Ellen Terry, Secretary
Nancy L. Boylan
Jane Davis
Lori Furey
Peggy Joline
Harold Kilbride
Chris McGarry
Julie McGowan
Diana Piotrowski
Ed Piotrowski
Nancy Plumfield
Ann Rippa
Cathi Trost
Louise Whitney

Absent:

Robert Cooke

Visitors:

Dianna Hnat
Bill Conover

1. Chairperson Burry called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM.
2. Mrs. Piotrowski requested the minutes of October 3, 2000 be corrected, as she did not actually view the state report regarding the Historic District. On a motion by Mrs. Joline and seconded by Mrs. Furey, the minutes of October 3, 2000 were accepted with this correction.
3. Mrs. Burry reported that a tape has been received from the Monmouth County Clerk entitled ÒMonmouth County: Rich in History.Ó It runs about a half hour, and depicts highlights of our historic heritage. Ms. Terry will obtain four more copies; two for the schools, one for the Library, and one for Township Hall. A list of each official municipal historian for the entire county was received from Gary Soretsky. Mrs. Burry is the designated historian for Colts Neck Township
4. Mrs. Burry reported that 26 more historic homes plaques were presented at the last Township Committee meeting in front of a large audience. A reception was held for the recipients on November 5 at the home of Harold Kilbride, with Mrs. Boylan, Ms. Furey, Mrs. Joline and Ms. Rippa acting as hostesses. A list of the recipients is made a part of these minutes.
5. Mrs. Burry reported that Archives Day at the Monmouth County Library was an enjoyable day and enabled everyone to see what other towns are doing, get inspired, and get involved.
6. Mrs. Burry reported that praise continues for the Millennium Carriage Drive. She thanked Mrs. Trost and Laura Kolnoski for the very well written article in the Colts Neck Journal.
7. Mrs. Burry and Mr. Kilbride have discussed the map, and decided for the sake of accuracy that the label should read ÒAtlantic Township, 1865,Ó with a footnote reading ÒColts Neck Township Incorporated 1963.Ó It will be framed and hung either in the Library or Township Hall or both. It will have Mrs. FazewskiÕs drawings. It is currently about 32Ó x 44Ó. Many people at the reception on November 5 expressed interest in purchasing a copy, so a smaller sized copy might be developed for sale.
8. Mrs. Burry and Mr. Kilbride discussed specifications for a display case for Township Hall. It would display the Township articles of incorporation, and perhaps changing displays of events sponsored by the Committee. Mr. Kilbride stated that the case itself could be any length or breadth, but is usually only a few inches in depth. Mrs. Burry stated that a piece of furniture would be needed for the case to sit upon or it may be a free-standing case.
9. Mrs. Burry reported that the final round for presentation of historic homes plaques will be December 13. The reception will be held on January 7, 2001, in order to avoid holiday conflicts. Mr. Kilbride agreed to host the reception. Mr. Kilbride announced that the list is complete except for determining the age of the Amend home, which appears on the 1873 map, but not the 1851 map. He is waiting for Mrs. Amend to return his call. Mrs. Trost will order 15 more plaques.
10. Mrs. Burry led a discussion of ideas for projects in 2001. The Committee budget is due to be presented to the Township Committee by January. Mrs. Burry noted that several people have asked about a brochure regarding the activities of the Committee and the history of the Township, and such a publication could be a project for next year. A driving tour of the Township with a map was suggested. Mrs. Burry suggested that once all historic homes have been recognized, plaques could be put up at historic sites. Mr. Piotrowski suggested cemeteries and the site of the Huddy home. Many cemeteries are already on Township property.

    Mrs. Burry suggested that the Committee begin to consider actual preservation. The Conover Farm is a prime candidate. Preservation of this site would serve historic preservation and open space, and could also serve recreation. Harold Nolan is agreeable to such a possibility. The Township has a matching grant for the purposes of Open Space (including Farmland Preservation), Recreation and Historic Preservation. There is no time limit on the use of this money. Other state funds and historic preservation funds are also available. The support of the rest of the Township Committee is needed. Discussion will be continued at the next meeting.

    The state Department of TransportationÕs report suggested that the Township center qualifies as an Historic District. Mrs. Burry emphasized that the job of justifying qualification is well beyond the scope of the Committee, and would require hiring a professional. Being an Historic District limits changes property owners can make. The Committee needs to know if the property owners wish to have an Historic District.

    It was suggested that Montrose School be made more available to school children, but Mrs. Whitney remarked that it is structurally unsound. Furthermore, it is not the original school. The existing structure was moved here from Princeton. George Illmensee donated the land on the corner. The original school was farther down the road.

11. On a motion by Mrs. McGowan and seconded by Mrs. Joline, the meeting was adjourned at 6:45 PM. The next meeting will be TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2000.

Respectfully submitted,

Ellen Terry

Secretary

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