By Amy Batista, Special Writer
HIGHTSTOWN – The “Steward of Hightstown History” award for 2015 was presented to Chris and Holly Moraitis during the council’s May 16 meeting.
Mr. Moraitis was present to receive the plaque from Mayor Larry Quattrone and council member Connor Montferrat, also the council’s Historic Preservation Commission liaison.
Mr. Montferrat explained how one receives the award.
“After three nominations from the Historic Preservation Commission on the way their houses are restored, rehabilitated or preserved,” he said.
The council resolution reads: “The Steward of Hightstown History award is given to a recipient selected by the Hightstown Historic Preservation Commission recognizing the owner of a historic property who demonstrates a long-term commitment to preservation through careful property maintenance, restoration or rehabilitation.”
Mr. Montferrat said that a minimum of three nominees are presented to the Historic Preservation Commission for deliberation and selection.
“A plaque is presented to the most deserving applicant as determined by the commission,” he said. “The Hightstown Preservation Commission have deliberated the proposed nominees and found that Chris Moraitis and Holly Moraitis, of 208 Stockton Street, have been found to the be the most deserving of the award for 2015.”
He said that the Moraitis’ house was formerly owned by two doctors and had a side wing doctor’s office with several adverse adjustments made to the house over the past 75-plus years.
“The house was in severe disrepair with many layers of finishes over the years hiding the true splendor of this grand Queen Anne,” said Mr. Montferrat. “And rather than continuing to add new materials over the top, they took the harder path of undoing the layers and uncovering many wonderful finishes. They did most of the work themselves, carefully and methodically bringing it back to the original historic architectural design.”
The commitment of the Moraitises in restoring their property to its original architecture is a strong commitment to the Stockton Street Historic District and to the town, and an example of what it means to be a “Steward of Hightstown History, said Mr. Montferrat.
