MILLSTONE — The Clarksburg Methodist Episcopal Church on Route 524 was built in 1845 and has a place on the state and national registers of historic places, but it has been in a state of disrepair for as many as five years. A tarp provides some coverage where the roof needs to be replaced and there are structural issues with the building, according to those with knowledge of the situation.
A group of residents who support historic preservation attended the July 1 Township Committee meeting to urge municipal officials to move forward with repairs as soon as possible.
The township owns the church and is responsible for making the repairs. Most recently, officials received an estimate of $609,000 to repair the church.
The residents said the municipal tax levy will not have to be raised to pay for the work if the proper grants and other sources of funding are used to pay for the repairs.
After the residents spoke, Mayor Bob Kinsey made a motion to move forward with an application for a Monmouth County grant in the amount of $250,000, which the township would match.
Officials adopted a bond ordinance for about $240,000 two years ago and would have to fund the remainder, according to Committeeman Fiore Masci.
Masci expressed concern about the rising cost of repairs and he said the proposed repairs might not be consistent with historic standards. He said spending almost $600,000 on a building without bathrooms, handicap access or parking could be excessive.
“Five years ago we were told (the project) would cost $100,000. It ballooned to $500,000. Then we were told a bid had gone out on repairs at $421,000. In that time, I had tried to save taxpayers money,” Masci said.
Committeewoman Nancy Grbelja said she would like work to begin regardless of the timetable of the grant. She said she would like to see volunteers help with the project and see some proposed extras pared down. She said portable restrooms could be used when events are held at the historic church, rather than building new restrooms.
“We should invest the money to take care of building,” Grbelja said. “It is on the national register. We have a responsibility and we should adhere to it. I feel we need to prevent the front of building and the back of the building from falling down. Some things are not necessary. People can help paint and do (other) things.”
Committeeman Gary Dorfman said officials only recently received a full engineering report.
“We are cognizant and cautious about going down a road and not knowing the final cost of things,” he said. “We still do not know the actual end figure, but we are getting closer to knowing.”
Joann Kelty, who is the township’s historian, said the members of the governing body are responsible for maintaining the church.
“You knew it was in need of repair since 2010 and you had five years to act …,” she said, adding that the lack of action led to the cost of the project to double.
“They have prevaricated, procrastinated and diverted the issue,” Kelty wrote in an email after the meeting. “If elected officials cannot gather the facts and make up their minds in five years, they should step down from office.”
She said Grbelja is the only member of the committee who tried to get the church repaired, but she was outnumbered.
Kelty said repairs to the church should not affect the municipal tax levy because there is sufficient money in the Open Space, Farmland and Historic Preservation fund. She suggested that a county grant be pursued.
Kelty said the church has architectural and cultural significance and is a source of pride for the community.
Doreen Polhemus, who is a former township historian, called the decision to delay repairs and instead place a tarp on the roof of the church “disgraceful.”
“We need to protect the heritage and beauty of the church,” she said. “It is history. Once a building is down, it is down forever. Look around. The people here are all voters. Fix the building.”
Jean Mount, who lives in Upper Freehold Township and owns property in Millstone, said, “Most of us have children and want to pass down a heritage that shows respect for a community and people. What are we teaching them if we do not keep (the church) in good condition? People have cherished it for generations. This place needs to be fixed.”
Barry Frost said he believes the value of the building should be understood, adding, “When something has value, you fight for it. There are things in life that you know are the right thing.”