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RIDGEWOOD — Which came first: the proposed retirement of the village’s longtime historians or their criticism of the latest plans to develop the historic Zabriskie-Schudler property?
Village officials claim the new requirements for the village historian position, which were given preliminary approval during Wednesday’s workshop session, have been discussed for months in preparation for a 2024 year-end appointment routine.
If the changes are approved after three readings starting next week, the title of village historian will go to Sarah Kiefer, currently director of the Bolger Heritage Room at the Ridgewood Public Library. His term will be five years.
“It’s hard to believe that 20 years ago, when the ordinance creating this position was passed, this position was supposed to be a lifetime appointment,” City Councilman Evan Weitz said Wednesday. “I like the idea of a five-year period. I like the idea of it being an employee.”
Peggy Norris and Joe Saplicki, who have held the title for “more than 20 years,” claim they are retiring to “silence the voices of historians.” They sent a letter last week to the state Historic Preservation Office, which will ultimately have authority to approve the plan, outlining their objections to the latest proposal for the 7-acre national monument.
Claiming that the letter was personal, they identified themselves as “Ridgewood Village Historians” and signed the letter. This has more implications for state authorities, but it also pits one village institution against another.
Adding to the confusion, Mr. Spritzki also signed a letter dated October 18 to the Village Manager and City Council as chairman of the village’s Historic Preservation Committee, stating: “September 14, 2023 At its meeting, the Historic Preservation Commission reviewed a plan entitled “Zabriskies.” – Schedler Property Park Development Plan (Concept 24, 5 pages) Revised Edition, August 29, 2023, Historic Consultants Committee unanimously resolved not to oppose the plan.
“My understanding is that this is only the parking and handicapped access plan, not the entire proposal,” Saplicki said in an email Thursday. Norris said Tuesday that the two feel “we’re being replaced because we spoke out about Zabriskie and Schdler’s plans.”
Mayor Paul Bagianos said at the beginning of Wednesday’s meeting that while he was “extremely grateful” for the couple’s long service, their “connection with the village has faded.”
Saplicki had lived here his whole life, but “left town 10 years ago,” Bagianos said. Norris was not a resident when he was appointed director of the Bolger Heritage Room as a historian, but he resigned from that position in 2015, it added.
new plan approved Ridgewood has new plans for Schedler Zabriskie real estate.view the details
“As a result, neither of the current city historians has any ties to the village, either in residence or employment,” Bagianos said. “The proposed ordinance simply seeks to establish the same connection between city historians and our village that we have had for many years.”
There was no movement regarding a new term for Mr. Spricki, whose term expires this year.
Cynthia O’Keefe was one of two West Saddle River Road residents near the scene who praised Norris and Saplicki. She read their letter in its entirety. The proposal essentially supported plans approved for the site by the village council in 2018, which called for a child-sized artificial turf sports field and minimal tree removal.
The new plan calls for the construction of an adult-sized synthetic turf field with a baseball diamond, which would require more extensive tree clearing on the north side of the house.
Councilors were divided over the new plan, but all praised the couple and thanked them for their contributions, but agreed it was time to move on.
“It’s good to have a fresh perspective on this project,” said Councilwoman Lorraine Reynolds.