Franklin Borough Council forms historic preservation commission

FRANKLIN-The borough council last week unanimously voted to form a seven-member historic preservation commission. Members of the commission represent the borough’s various governmental bodies, along with the historical society. “I am very pleased that this is now going forward, and we’re looking forward to working on different projects,” said commission chairwoman Judy Williams, who is also the vice-president of the borough’s historical society. The new board will not have all of the authority that a commission normally holds, but it is expected to have a positive impact on the borough nevertheless. Along with Williams, the members include Phillip Crabbe, the borough’s emergency management coordinator; Paul Crowley, zoning board chairman; John Friend, board of public works alternate; Sally McGrath, historical society treasurer; Robert Oleksy, planning board member; and borough councilman John Sowden. Among the first projects the new commission is expected to visit is the possibility of moving the old Hungarian Church from its present location on Evans Street to a more viable and visible location within the borough. “It has limited power because it’s only meant to advise and work in conjunction with these (governing) boards,” Williams explained. “It gives us recognition, and it gives recognition to the historic element in town. It allows us to have a say now. If they wanted to change something, we could say, ‘Did you know this goes back to a certain time, etc., etc.,’ and then they’d have to take that into consideration.” “I’m very pleased to be included on such an important commission,” said Sowden, who is known for his knowledge of Franklin’s history. “And I look forward to working with the members of the commission and all the people in the borough of Franklin. I think it’s an exciting time in the soon-to-be history of Franklin.” Sowden referred to a late nineteenth century book called Hardyston Memorial that lamented people at that time who failed to act in time to preserve a part of the community’s history. “It just makes the hairs on the back of your head stand up,” he said. “And it also makes you say, ‘Hey, they were thinking that back then.’”