By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
MONTGOMERY — The historic 1860 House on Montgomery Road, adjacent to the Stonebridge at Montgomery retirement community, is poised to become the new home of The 24 Club, Inc.
Township Committee approved an ordinance last week that allows the nonprofit group, which helps people who are recovering from substance abuse problems, to acquire the township-owned property through a lease/purchase agreement.
But not before some neighbors appeared before Township Committee to question both the wisdom of selling the 1860 House to The 24 Club, and why steps were not taken to offer the house to either a would-be homeowner or another nonprofit group.
The ordinance that was approved by Township Committee sets the sale price of the property at $450,000. Of that amount, $400,000 must be paid through in-kind work or expenses for repairs and renovations to the house by The 24 Club, Inc. Routine maintenance and repairs for normal wear-and-tear do not count.
The ordinance also stipulates that the property shall be deed-restricted, prohibiting any changes to the front and sides of the house in order to preserve its architectural integrity. A set of bookcases, referred to as the “Ballantine” bookcases, will be reinstalled in the gallery.
The 24 Club approached Montgomery Township officials several months ago to discuss its possible purchase of the property. The group, which had been located in the Princeton North Shopping Center at 1225 State Road, lost its lease after 28 years.
But the plan to sell the 1860 House did not sit well with some neighbors on Sycamore Lane, whose homes back up to a large field that separates the single-family houses from the property. Sycamore Lane is located off Montgomery Road.
Sycamore Lane resident Dan Greenhouse said he was concerned about noise and parties that might emanate from the 1860 House. He said it appears that the club rents out space for dance parties and concerts, There was a posting on its website for a concert.
Jeannie Weakliem, who also lives on Sycamore Lane, said the club may hold a coffeehouse on Saturday nights, but the music would not be loud. The club is for local people who are trying to be sober and who want to “hang out,” she said.
Anna Mancilla of Sycamore Lane questioned the “nature” of the membership.
“This is a transient group and we don’t know who these people are. It only takes one person (to cause trouble). We are dealing with an unstable group of people,” Ms. Mancilla said, adding she did not understand why a family or a small business could not have the opportunity to buy the property.
Municipal Attorney Kristina Hadinger replied that the township plans to develop a portion of the 1860 House’s 6.5-acre lot for affordable housing. It is also near the Stonebridge at Montgomery development. The 1860 House has been deemed a difficult property to sell for residential purposes because of the proximity to those two uses, she said.
Mayor Patricia Graham and Ms. Hadinger, the municipal attorney, said residents’ concerns could be addressed through the terms of the lease and the deed to the house. A reverter clause could be incorporated into the documents, which provides for the house to go back to the township if any of the terms are violated.
Asked whether there had been any discussion about offering the house to another non-profit group, Township Administrator Donato Nieman said he had been contacted by several people, but they all lost interest when they discovered it could cost up to $1 million to restore the house.
The problem with many groups is that they wanted to make modifications to the house that would not acceptable to the township, Mr. Nieman said. The 24 Club is doing much of the work and has agreed not to make major modifications.
Meanwhile, Judy Peters, who is the president of the Van Harlingen Historical Society, praised township officials for preserving the 1860 House. Township Committee has been trying to find a use for this “very important house” for years, she said.
Deputy Mayor Ed Trzaska said he has served on Township Committee for six years, and this is the first time the township has had a real offer from someone to restore the house. There is a “real offer” on the table, which is a positive thing for the community and the house, he said.
The 1860 House was built in the Late Greek Revival style, which was popular in the mid-19th century. It was part of the Vanderveer family’s 500-acre farm, and later served as the Ballentine family estate. The Ingersoll-Rand Co. subsequently bought the property.
Montgomery Township acquired the 1860 House in 1998 as part of its purchase of the former Ingersoll-Rand research and development facility. The township preserved 200 acres for open space, and carved out 40 acres for the Stonebridge at Montgomery continuing care facility.
