HPC to be led by new chairman, vice chairwoman

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The South Orange Historic Preservation Commission has welcomed a new chairman and vice chairwoman; at the Aug. 8 South Orange Board of Trustees meeting, Jacob Levine was promoted to chairman of the HPC and Karen Marlowe to vice chairwoman. Levine will be filling his position’s unexpired term through Dec. 31, 2019, Marlowe will fill her position through Dec. 31, 2018. These changes came as former Chairman Gary Hill stepped down from the position of chairman to assume a Class B Regular member role, filling that position’s unexpired term through Dec. 31, 2017.

As per a 2012 ordinance, passed the same year the HPC was created, the appointment of volunteers to the commission are made by the village president, though President Sheena Collum said this is more of a formality, with the recommendations coming from Trustee Mark Rosner, who serves as the board’s liaison to the HPC.

“Karen Marlowe has been a longtime resident who has provided thoughtful input regarding our historic buildings and homes, as well as having a great knowledge about the town’s history,” Rosner told the News-Record earlier this week via email. “Jacob Levine has provided excellent insight regarding our historic homes and always gives an in-depth analysis regarding applications before the HPC. He has been an asset to the HPC, proven by the unanimous support for him to be the chairperson of the HPC.

“I am glad that both these individuals are continuing on the board and that both have agreed to step up to take larger roles,” Rosner continued.

Levine was unable to provide comment to the News-Record by press time.

Marlowe is ready to take on this new role, saying that she thinks it is vital to protect the village’s history and personality.

“I volunteered to serve on the HPC because I believe that we need to preserve our important historical buildings, whether they be in private or public hands. We are in danger of losing our historic integrity and identity,” Marlowe told the News-Record earlier this week via email. “My role as vice chair will not change my commitment to the HPC; it’s a title. But my belief in historic preservation is still as strong. The title brings a bit more administrative responsibility.”

And Marlowe takes that responsibility seriously. Though the HPC is a regulatory board, she said it does not have far-reaching power, but instead uses its collective experience and wisdom to guide the village.

“The HPC cannot tell people who own designated homes what color to paint their houses, or how to decorate the inside,” Marlowe said. “Rather, the HPC was appointed to ensure that historic buildings listed on the village’s Local Landmarks Ordinance, and notably on the state and federal Registers of Historic Places, are not irreparably altered or even demolished. While were are a regulatory board, we do not have broad-brush powers beyond that, although the Planning Board can refer matters to the HPC for advice.”

Marlowe said that the HPC’s agendas have been procedural lately, though the commission expects to hear a presentation on the Village Hall sometime soon.

“Our authority over the adaptive reuse of Village Hall will be advisory only, as the new owner does not intend to alter the exterior of the building,” she said

As of now, the HPC is continuing its role of identifying historic homes and districts in South Orange — as currently all designated homes on the village’s Local Landmarks Ordinance are in the Montrose District. But this work takes time, paperwork and dedication.

“Thank you to those volunteers who have been doing a tremendous job and certainly their service to South Orange,” Collum said at the BOT meeting on Aug. 8.

  South Orange Board of Trustees, South Orange Historic Preservation Commission