Twp. of Parsippany - Historical Preservation Committee

Parsippany Historic Preservation Advisory Committee

The Historic Preservation Advisory Committee is a seven-member advisory body of local citizens formed in 2003 by appointment of the Mayor and Township Council. The purpose of this committee is to educate and advocate for historic preservation in the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills.

Current members are:

Julia Peterson, chairperson
Joseph Weisberg, vice-chair
Nancy Brighton, secretary
John Cesaro, council liaison
Pat Paolella
Mary Purzycki
Barbara Seaman
Randy Tortorello

The Historic Preservation Advisory Committee cooperates with the Parsippany Environmental Advisory Committee, The Parsippany Historical and Preservation Society and neighborhood groups on common interests and issues. We invite your questions, concerns and ideas on enhancing preservation in Parsippany, in the name of its rich history and for its promising future. The committee meets monthly, September through June.

Current goals are:
Increase community awareness and support for historic preservation

This year the committee worked for the passage of the Open Space/Historic Preservation Funding referendum, which was passed by the citizens of Parsippany-Troy Hills in November, 2006. On May 20, 2007, the committee, the Historic Society and the town co-sponsored a highly successful tour of “Open Spaces, Historic Places” which highlighted Craftsman Farms, the Beacon Site, Watnong Gardens and Littleton Schoolhouse.

Add a historic preservation element to the Parsippany- Troy Hills Master Plan

The committee is working with the Planning Board to incorporate historic preservation more fully into the Master Plan. Without this element in Municipal Land Use Law, there is no real protection for Parsippany’s historic resources. The 1986 survey of historic resources is being updated.

Preserve the Forge Pond site and Troy Industrial Complex

The Forge Pond site represents one of the earliest iron forges in Morris County that supplied iron to Washington’s army. The committee is working with all parties involved to propose alternatives and reach a solution to preserve this site as an historic resource and an undisturbed ecological area.

Preserve and re-use historic buildings at Greystone Park

The Greystone Psychiatric Hospital complex is owned by NJ and Morris County, but is situated in Parsippany. It offers a rich variety of historic architectural styles and represents a landmark for the humane treatment of the mentally ill in the twentieth century. The committee has been working on options for preserving the historic structures, balancing concerns for historic resources, green space and cost.

Monitor Planning Board and Board of Adjustment meetings to raise concerns about historic resources.

This year, statements were made concerning the Kimball-Baldwin House, Forge Pond site, Lanidex subdivision and the Route 46 Hindu Temple plans. Letters were written about Greystone preservation and the Glaxo-Smith-Kline carriage house demolition.

Other 2006-2007 activities

Committee members visited the Littleton Schoolhouse and Bowlsby-DeGelleke House to monitor ongoing preservation activities in these township owned properties. A joint meeting was held in May with the Environmental Committee to discuss common concerns. The budget has been prepared and submitted to the Business Administrator. The committee chair attended the Traditional Building Conference in Boston in March and the SHPO Conference at Drew University in May.