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Message |
    
John Caffrey
Citizen
Username: Jerseyjack
Post Number: 198
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, April 23, 2006 - 5:27 pm: | 
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When I attended an event at the center in the fall, there were buckets to collect the rain that was entering the reception area.
1. Who is in charge of maintaining the building?
2. Are plans in place to repair this and other damage? If not, this would be a
reason (excuse) to have some fun(d) raisers.
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Scully
Citizen
Username: Scully
Post Number: 350
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 7:21 pm: |
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Another Old Stone House in the making... |
letters
Citizen
Username: Letters016
Post Number: 523
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 5:54 pm: |
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JC,
Been there and agree. Just a thought, does the "What Exit" group have any control here. I know some people involved in "W.E." and will ask. |
John Caffrey
Citizen
Username: Jerseyjack
Post Number: 205
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 7:58 pm: |
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Thanks Letters. As Scully remarked, a similar situation happened when the "Stone House" in South Orange was allowed to deteriorate to the point where it is a candidate for demilition.
Burgdorff is architecturally pleasing and a jewel for our community. It should not be allowed to "go south." We are facing problems from termites and mold if the problem is not fixed.
I am not posting this as a suggestion for someone else to do the work. I am willing to take this on as a project. Given its dimensions, it will take more than me to fix the problem.
However, the basic questions still need answers: Has the problem already been fixed? Is the responsibility that of the town government/recreation department or is there a board of trustees that is independent of the town committee?
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letters
Citizen
Username: Letters016
Post Number: 524
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 8:09 pm: |
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JC,
Actually, that is where I was headed, although I was somewhat in a hurry and did not have time to expand.
Somewhere in my mind I think I remember being told that the What Exit group, or others involved with the building were in the process of holding plays or musical shows in order to raise money to fix the place up. I could be wrong, but I think that this either is or was correct.
I have a call into someone who might know.
Hold on. She's calling back.
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letters
Citizen
Username: Letters016
Post Number: 525
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 8:19 pm: |
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OK, now I remember. This building was donated to the town of Maplewood from one of the Burdorf's (sorry, do not remeber her first name). So this building is actually run by the Rec Dept. If you've ever seen the Rec Dept's building, it is no wonder that this building is as bad as it is. (The Rec building was closed one day this week due to no heat.)
My son is currently redoing the shelter building at Maplecrest Park and another boy scout redid the skate house at Memorial Park. They are also township buildings, therefore it is possible that a group of people could offer their services to the town. I am quite sure that when it comes to fixing the roof or electrical maintenance or the like, it would have to be done by qualified people.
As far as the monies go, fundraisers or any other type of donation gathering events would make it easier to get an approval from the TC. |
Ben
Citizen
Username: Ros
Post Number: 297
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 12:08 am: |
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Letters is right, the BCC was a former Christian Science church donated to the town by Jean Burgdorff about 30 years ago(the present Burgdorff Office was the Reading Room). The building gets a tremendous amount of use, almost year round--What Exit Theater Co. Strollers, ArtsMaplewood activities, and more. From September through May it is in use daily. A lot of work was done there over the years by various groups-especially What Exit and the Strollers. There is a group called Friends of the Burgdorff, a non-profit that in years past raised funds for the building. Since the town created the Cultural Affairs arm of the Rec Dept a few years back, they have done the usual clean up and basic care in the building, but as is pointed out in this thread, there are larger issues to deal with -it is an old structure that is used a lot. I think in particular the roof has always been a problem. I would talk to TC members with your concerns, as it is a jewel of a building worth preserving. I've had the pleasure of attending many great performances there over the years in both spaces, and as a musician have enjoyed playing in the two rooms. |
extuscan
Citizen
Username: Extuscan
Post Number: 643
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 5:59 pm: |
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If you ever have a chance to walk behind the reading room, under the metal arch, you will get to see up close the amazing roof on that portion of the building. It isn't your typical slate roof like on town hall, it is this thick craggly almost random slates that looks like it could be 500 years old. When I was there the little leaded glass windows were missing a few pieces of glass  This was two years ago.
-John |
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