New Historic Preservation Commission Members Chosen

The Middletown Township Committee appointed seven volunteer members to the Historic Preservation Commission Monday during their regularly scheduled meeting.

Committee members appointed to the commission include Township Committeewoman Stephanie Murray as the Mayor’s Designee, Landmarks Commission Member Peter Van Nortwick, Susan O’Neal, Elaine Hinckley, Thomas Ferrari, Gail Nelsen and Damon Keeley.

“It was exciting to see so many people presented interest in our local history,” said Committeewoman Stephanie Murray noting that the Committee received more than 20 applications for the commission.

The formation of a Middletown Historic Association was discussed as far back as 1967. In 1981, the first Historic Preservation Commission was established with the purpose to manage certain historic Township-owned properties. 

The Middletown Historic Commission legally ceased to exist upon the codification of the Township in 1997 and there was currently no Township sanctioned Historic Commission in existence until this week.

The new Middletown Historic Preservation Commission will foster awareness and appreciation of our community’s history, advancing public knowledge through outreach programs and education, and encouraging the growth of heritage tourism in the township.

Members will also be dedicated to collecting, exhibiting and archiving documents and artifacts that tell a tale about the founding of Middletown as one of the state’s earliest colonial settlements as well as its continuing evolution.

Next month, the Township Committee will be Economic Development Committee working through more than 20 applicants for the committee and appointing seven volunteer members – the Mayor’s designee and six public members, three of which will be from the business community.