$60K Grant Awarded To Westfield Historic Preservation Commission

WESTFIELD, NJ — Westfield's Historic Preservation Commission, a group that is dedicated to preserving and protecting historical assets in the town, was recently recognized for its efforts by the state of the New Jersey.

Preservation New Jersey, a nonprofit group that promotes the economic vitality, sustainability and heritage of New Jersey's diverse communities, presented the HPC with a Historic Preservation Commission Award. In addition, the HPC received a total of $60,000 in grants from both the state and the town of Westfield.

The preservation award recognizes organizations and individuals that have made important and sustained contributions to the understanding and promotion of historic preservation and history in New Jersey, according to Mayor Shelley Brindle.

Preservation NJ cited the HPC's engagement of local citizens regarding the need for, and benefits of, local historic preservation.

In addition, HPC was awarded a $45,000 grant by The New Jersey Historic Trust — an affiliate of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs whose mission is to save and promote historic sites throughout the state.

Westfield was one of 27 grant recipients awarded funds to support preservation planning projects, according to Mayor Brindle.

The town also provided a $15,000 match to the HPC. Maria Boyes, the chair of the HPC, said the group will use this grant money to identify and secure designations for potential landmarks.

In the past five years, there have been nine voluntary designations of historic properties, Brindle wrote on Facebook.

Brindle thanked the HPC for their hard work and dedication at last week's council meeting.

"What I love most about what has transpired is that we have let it be known in this community that we value historic preservation," Brindle said. "People are not going to voluntarily designate their homes if they don't think it's something that their community values. When you put a stake in the ground and say this is important, and this is who we are, people are more inclined to want to be a part of that."

In September of 2020, the council passed a controversial revision of the town's preservation ordinance in order to prevent historic buildings from being torn down.

Proponents believed it would protect the town's many historic homes from losing their character or from being demolished. But opponents felt the ordinance ties owners' hands when they want to make changes to their property.

Read more: Westfield's Controversial Historic Preservation Ordinance Passes

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