Ridgewood council agrees to replace two long-term historians
RIDGEWOOD — Which came first: the proposed retirement of the village's long-term historians, or their criticism of the newest plan for development of the historic Zabriskie-Schedler property?
Village officials contend that the new requirements for the village historian post that were given preliminary approval at Wednesday's workshop session had been in discussion for months leading up to their annual year-end appointment routine for 2024.
If the changes are approved after three readings starting next week, the title of village historian will rest with the director of the Bolger Heritage Room of the Ridgewood Public Library, currently Sarah Kiefer. The appointment will be for a five-year term.
"I can't believe that 20 years ago when the ordinance was passed creating this post that this was supposed to be a lifetime appointment," Councilman Evan Weitz said Wednesday. "I like the idea of a five-year period. I like the idea of that being someone who is an employee."
Peggy Norris and Joe Suplicki, who have held that title for "over 20 years," contend they are being retired "to silence the voices of historians." They wrote a letter last week outlining their objections to the newest proposal for the 7-acre nationally landmarked property to the State Historic Preservation Office, which will eventually have approval power over the plan.
While contending that the letter was personal, they referred to themselves and signed the letter as "Historians for the Village of Ridgewood," which carries more weight with state officials but also places one village agency in opposition with another.
Adding to the confusion, Suplicki also signed a letter dated Oct. 18 to the mayor and council as chairman of the village's Historic Preservation Commission, stating: "At its Sept. 14, 2023 meeting, The Historic Preservation Commission reviewed the plans titled 'Zabriskie-Schedler Property Park Development Plan (concept 24, pp5) revision dated Aug. 29, 2023, Historic Consultant Commission' and voted unanimously not to the oppose the plan."
Suplicki said in an email Thursday that "my understanding was that this was only the parking and handicapped access plan," not the entire proposal. Norris said Tuesday that the two feel they "are being replaced because we have spoken out about the Zabriskie-Schedler plans."
Mayor Paul Vagianos said at the start of Wednesday's meeting that while "we are incredibly grateful" to the couple for their long-term service, "their connection to the village has become attenuated."
Suplicki, who had been a lifelong resident, "moved out of town a decade ago," Vagianos said. Norris, who was not a resident when appointed historian as head of the Bolger Heritage Room, retired from that post in 2015, he added.
NEW PLAN APPROVED Ridgewood has a new plan for the Schedler-Zabriskie property. See the details
"As a result, neither of the current municipal historians has any connection, either residency or employment, to the village," Vagianos said. "The proposed ordinance simply seeks to establish the same connection to our village for the municipal historian as we've had for many years."
There was no action on a new term for Suplicki, whose term is up this year.
Cynthia O'Keefe was one of two West Saddle River Road residents near the site who spoke in praise of Norris and Suplicki. She read their entire letter, which essentially favors a plan approved for the site by the Village Council in 2018, calling for a child-size artificial turf sports field and minimal tree removal.
The new plan calls for an adult-size artificial turf field overlaid with a baseball diamond that will require more widespread removal of trees north of the house.
Although council members are divided over the new plan, they all praised the couple and thanked them for their service, but agreed that it is time to move on.
"It will be good to have a new set of eyes on this plan," Councilwoman Lorraine Reynolds said.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Ridgewood council agrees to replace two long-term historians
