Bernards Extends Lease With Historic Site

Due to technical requirements for receiving grant and aid money, the Friends of Kennedy-Martin-Stelle Farmstead were granted an additional 10 years to their 25-year lease with the township starting in 2005.

The farmstead contains several historical structures, including the English Barn, the farm house, wagon house and cow shed. The farmstead was originally built around 1750 in Bernards Township, and recent efforts have greatly refurbished and restored the aging structures. The Friends of the Farmstead were recently presented with the 2010 Historical Preservation Award from the Historical Society of Somerset Hills.

John Campbell, speaking on behalf of the Friends, told the Township Committee on Tuesday night, "Lengthening the lease would improve the project to potential funding." Specifically, one grant, the "Somerset County Historic Preservation Grant Program," requires that all applicants have at a lease with at least 20-unexpired years. Adding 10 years to the current lease, set in 2005 at a rate of $1 per year, would set the expiration date in 2050.

The Township Committee voted unanimously to extend the lease.