Historic Preservation Review Commission Pledges to Promote, Educate at Proposed 'Starkey Park'

The Montville Historic Preservation Review Commission plans to urge the township committee to preserve and promote a farm house located at the planned location for "Starkey Park," at the corner of River Road and Millers Lane.

According to commission secretary Kathy Fisher, the site of the future park, which is designated historic due to the presence of a victorian-era farmhouse frame, should promote the area's historical legacy in conjunction with providing recreation to area residents.

"We want to educate people, make them aware of the history in the township," she said at the commission's meeting Aug. 23. "We want to promote the historic nature of the site."

Commission chairman Michael O'Brien agreed, saying that Montville should preserve its historical landmarks in order to establish a sense of pride and ownership in the township. He compared Montville to a crown, saying that locations like the farmhouse on Millers Lane are its jewels.

"Imagine how embarrassed we would be, as a country, if we didn't have a building for the Declaration of Independence," he said. "Historical aspects are key in developing a sense of identity. To be part of a society, part of a town, history is essential."

The 48-acre property at River Road and Millers Lane, owned by Robin Starkey, The proposed parkland would include facilities for hiking, picnicking, cross-country skiing and bird watching.

The project is being funded by grants received from the Morris County Open Space Trust Fund, New Jersey Green Acres, and the local Open Space Trust Fund. The property is the 16th that the township has preserved, for a total of 567 acres since 1999.

While some members of the commission would like to see the project's name change from "the Starkey property" "the Miller-Starkey property" to better reflect the historical nature of the area, the commission agreed that, regardless of how the project develops, a focus on promotion and education of the area's history is a top priority.

"We would like the historic nature of the property to be considered," commission member Meta Janowitz said.

Township committee liaison Don Kostka stressed that the commission should come up with ideas  to promote the historic nature of the site, suggesting that other areas in the township developed on historically significant property may not be representing the township's legacy as well as they could.

"Occasionally, there is very little emphasis on keeping the land in a historical state," he said. "The group should lay out ideas to keep this historical. This one might be worth making some suggestions."

While O'Brien stressed that the commission would make recommendations to the township committee regarding the area, no concrete ideas for promotion of the land's historical properties were suggested at the meeting.

The commission's next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 27.