Mayor's Message -- May 2019
As you are all aware I had been asking the Oakland Historical Society for a meeting with council liaison Councilman John Biale, Borough Administrator Richard Kunze, and me to discuss the issues of the Van Allen House and the Stream House.
I am happy to report that on April 2nd we met. We had an open discussion about their role and the agreement we will draft between the borough and the Oakland Historical Society. We explained the status of the Stream House--its hazardous condition and our proposal for the future. In order to remove the Stream House without incurring fines and penalties and loss of any future grants, we must obtain permission from the state.
Our application to remove the Stream House has been submitted to the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). SHPO has 30 days to deem the application complete and another 45 days to make a decision.
I assure the residents that we will finally have historical structures we can be proud of. After all, Oakland was once home to the county courthouse: "During the Revolutionary War after the British burned the courthouse in Hackensack on March 22, 1780, Oakland became the Count Seat for approximately 3 years. The county records were housed in the old Ponds Church until a log cabin courthouse and jail could be built. A prisoner accused of treason and murder was housed in the jail and allowed a fire to keep warm. In an escape attempt, he burned down the cabin but was captured when the flames were seen. He was flogged and hanged that day. The former site of that structure is now known as Courthouse Place."*
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Oakland Historical Society and playing a major role in restoring Oakland's heritage, go to the Oakland Historical Society's website and join.
I learned at our meeting that a new membership application is being drafted and shall be available shortly.
*(Information from a text written by Anne DeLorenzo and Jack Doherty)
Until next time, Linda
Linda H. Schwager, Mayor of Oakland