BY LAYLI WHYTE
Staff Writer

RED BANK - Ten new additions were proposed to the Borough Council for inclusion in the Red Bank Historic Inventory by George Bowden, chairman of the borough Historic Preservation Commission.

Bowden spoke at Monday's council meeting, presenting the 10 new historic sites to the council, and if accepted in a resolution, the list of historic sites in the borough will increase

to 80.

Bowden also presented a letter that he requested be sent to the owners of the newly proposed properties.

"As an owner," the letter states, "you may be wondering how this listing will affect your property. First, and foremost, there will be official recognition of your efforts in preserving your property's historic charm and character. Your efforts help keep Red Bank special. The inventory is limited to properties receiving similar attention and care, so please consider this listing in the spirit of its intention, as an honor."

The new additions to the inventory, all private residences, would include: 20 Alston Court, 1 Hilltop Terrace, 15 Hilltop Terrace, 45 North Prospect Ave., 117 Prospect Ave., 35 Rector Place, 62-62B W. Front St., 65 W. Front St. (Trinity Episcopal Church), 32 Shrewsbury Ave. and 47 Wallace St.

Bowden said that 1 Hilltop Terrace was one of the properties worth a special mention because it was a service building for a large, Mediterranean-style estate that once stood nearby.

"The main house had 22 rooms," said Bowden. "Can you imagine having a party in a house like that?"

Mayor Edward J. McKenna Jr. had another historical fact for the property.

"One Hilltop Terrace," he said, "is the former home of former Mayor Frank McKenna. I've been in that house many times."

Bowden said Monday that many of the new additions to the inventory were chosen because of their value as examples of historic styles of architecture, which have remained well-maintained by their owners.

"With these sites," he said, "we stress heavily the architectural design that makes Red Bank such a unique place to live."

The commission was created in 2003 in response to the demolition of the historic Thomas Morford House during the summer of 2001, and Bowden has been a member from the start.

The commission is charged with creating and maintaining an historic site inventory, establishing the criteria for historic designation and for public educational outreach to encourage historic preservation.

Bowden also presented the 2005 annual report for the commission, in which the commission requested that the Broad Street Historic Overlay District be extended to include all of Broad Street, from Newman Springs Road to Front Street.

Other properties on the inventory include the Red Bank Armory at 76 Chestnut St., Les Gertrude Apartments at 335-345 Broad St., the First Baptist Church at the corner of Maple Avenue and Oakland Street, the Eisner Building at 54 Broad St., the Daily Register Building at 40-42 Broad St., and the home of the late Daniel Dorn Sr. at 23 Wallace St.