By JACQUELINE DURETT
Correspondent
EDISON — J.P. Stevens High School sophomore Steven Zederbaum was commended for helping to preserve Edison’s history at the Jan. 11 Township Council meeting.
For his Eagle Scout project, Zederbaum constructed a kiosk to commemorate the Sarah Jordan Boarding House at Menlo Park.
The house was built in 1878 and served as a place for Menlo Park workers to sleep and eat. Zederbaum constructed the kiosk, installed three metal signs with information about the boarding house, delineated the original foundation of the house with pavers, installed a gravel walkway and did some landscaping work at the site.
At the meeting, township officials, as well as Middlesex County Freeholder Charles Tomaro, praised Zederbaum’s efforts.
“I especially like the project,” Councilman Robert Diehl said when presenting Zederbaum with the resolution. He said Thomas Edison’s achievement dramatically changed life for humans.
“Your project, in a way, becomes part of that legacy,” he said.
Tomaro said Zederbaum’s project is the 17th Eagle Scout project at the Edison Tower, adding that the Scouts have been very supportive of the historical site.
“This is an amazing gift to the township of Edison,” Councilman Ajay Patil said.
According to the resolution presented to Zederbaum, the idea for the project came from township resident Walter Stochel, who also spoke at the meeting.
“Steven is a good kid — one of the best kids in our town,” he said, adding that Zederbaum has helped with cleanups and beautifications around the township.
In regard to the project, Stochel pointed out what an accomplishment Zederbaum’s work was.
“This wasn’t an easy project,” he said, explaining that not only did Zederbaum have to do the research to accurately capture the information he presented, he also had to secure approvals from both the state and the state historic preservation office, as the project required him to dig two holes and there was a risk of uncovering an artifact from Edison’s time.
Stochel also pointed out that this is one of the first efforts at Menlo Park that recognizes the workers, as opposed to the inventor, which he felt was important.
“Edison couldn’t have done all the work he did at Menlo Park without his associates there,” he said.
Upon presentation of the resolution, Zederbaum thanked all of those who helped with his project, including Stochel, Diehl, Tomaro, the Edison Department of Public Works and Clayton Block, which donated to the effort.
He said his goal was to help people enjoy Edison Tower.
“I’m glad to give back to the community on this project,” he said.