By DON STINE
Neptune is hoping to hire an historical preservation professional to review the existing guidelines governing historic preservation, particularly as it applies to the Historic Preservation Commission.
The action is being taken “ in anticipation of recommendations for updating the guidelines to certain standards and, beyond that, to assist the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) in the future,” Township Business Administrator Vito Gadaleta said.
“The professional will work with the HPC to review and make recommendations to the current guidelines,” he said.
Gadaleta said the Township Committee made a determination that there needs to be such a review to update policies and procedures of the HPC and felt it is important to hire a consultant outside of the township. The consultant will not be a salaried employee but paid as an outside contractor.
Sealed proposals for the position should be submitted to Township Clerk Richard J. Cuttrell. They will be opened and read on Thurs., March 15 at 10 a.m. in Room B-11, which on the lower level at the municipal complex. The township reserves the right to conduct interviews on any or all applicants, as deemed necessary.
In 1975 Ocean Grove was placed on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places and on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. These designations were based on the high percentage of existing original and early homes that retain their vernacular, seaside, Victorian design and ornamentation as well as the unique urban planning created by the founders in the 1870’s that is still in existence.
The township established the HPC to review all proposed exterior alterations to existing properties and proposed new construction in order to preserve the architectural integrity, craftsmanship, and heritage of Ocean Grove. The HPC determines if that work will meet standard put forth in the approved design guidelines.
