Help Our Preservation Effort (H.O.P.E.) Membership Meeting, 5/31/25
Location and Time: Hope Community Center, 9:30 a.m.
Attendees: See below
Meeting Topics:
Pete Peterson introduced the H.O.P.E. Officers and acknowledged the past and present contributions of the many wonderful members and friends of H.O.P.E., who have worked on grants, research, financing, video presentations, a website, banners, gift cards, etc., or have supported our mission via monetary donations and in so many other ways.
Pete provided a bit of history regarding the Moravians and the uniqueness of Hope’s Moravian structures and geographical layout, compared to the other four Moravian communities in the U.S.
Bob May discussed how the organization purchased the Cooper-Crusen properties, rather than obtaining a long-term lease from First Hope Bank. Bob mentioned First Hope’s extremely generous terms and donations, which will allow us to purchase the properties at almost no cost. He also touched on how to pay for the upkeep of the three properties (Cooper, Crusen and Long House). The Long House currently has tenants and is self-supporting. The Crusen property could possibly serve as a house museum and overnight lodging experience, while the Cooper property could have a retail or commercial space on the first floor and offices for H.O.P.E. on the second floor.
Bob discussed four grants: two grants have been filed with the New Jersey Historic Trust ($100,000 each), which will pay for preservation plans and phase one archeological surveys on each of the homes; one grant will be filed this week with Warren County (the Warren County Municipal and Charitable Conservancy Trust Fund) in the amount of $325,000 to be used to fund the acquisition; and an additional $5,000 grant was filed with the Highlands Coalition. If awarded, the $5,000 will be used towards the stabilization of the Cooper and Crusen properties. Pete thanked Tom Bodolsky for bringing the Highlands grant to H.O.P.E.’s attention.
Bob talked about the steps in restoring the properties, starting with a preservation plan. A Request for Proposal (RFP) was developed and sent out about a month ago and we will be reviewing two proposals: one from Eclectic Architecture, LLC (Michael Margulies), who has been involved with aspects of the restoration of Hope’s Community Center, and the other from Artefact, Inc., an architectural firm in Bethlehem, PA, which has done quite a bit of restoration work on Moravian structures in Bethlehem and Nazareth, PA.
Bob distributed and reviewed the 2025 budget for H.O.P.E. (see attached). He discussed repairs that the Long House needed, insurance for three properties, real estate taxes, etc. He mentioned that we are going to be filing for a property tax exemption on the Crusen and Cooper Houses as a 501(c)(3) organization. Questions from Tom Bodolsky regarding the well situation and taxes, which Bob addressed. Pete mentioned that we have two vacant rental units in the Long House which are nicely restored, if anyone is interested or knows of someone who would be interested. John Kruk made a motion to approve the budget. Maria McDonough seconded the motion. No members opposed and the motion was passed.
Bob further discussed the budget and the cost of the restoration work needed on the Crusen and Cooper houses, which could easily be $1.5 to 2 million dollars and, if the grant applications are approved, H.O.P.E.’s share would be roughly one-quarter of the amount.
Fundraisers were discussed. Lisa Iulo suggested a spaghetti dinner. John Kruk proposed another “Taste of the Town - Hope” (similar to the one held in conjunction with Hope’s 250th anniversary celebration) to bring in younger people who might not want to participate in H.O.P.E. meetings. Some discussion followed about coordinating such events and brainstorming about other similar types of fundraising activities.
Pete discussed the need for volunteers for various projects, such as membership recruitment, video or PowerPoint presentations and the need for a presence on social media, keeping up the Post Office garden, partnering with schools, etc. Maria McDonough volunteered to take care of the Post Office garden.
Pete thanked everyone for attending the meeting and issued an invitation for a tour of the Crusen house following the meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 10:20 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jacqueline Wilkens
Secretary
Help Our Preservation Effort (H.O.P.E.) Membership Meeting Attendees are taken from the sign in sheet and listed below in no particular order:
Margo Biblin, Ellen Benoit, Monica Sobon, Jutta Jansen, Ann Rhinesmith, John Kruk, Tom Bodolsky, Maria & Tim McDonough, Audrey Planer, Elsie Donohue, Elise Hoffman, Phyllis Strohmeyer, Ed Danckwerth, Jodi Keggan, Lisa Iulo, Amy & John Hovell, Elsha Yiu and Jaroslaw Czarnecki, Tom Gabel, Kim Start, Luke Peterson, Betsy Peterson, Douglas Tighe, Sherry Shaw, Robert May, Pete Peterson, Jacqueline Wilkens
H.O.P.E. Help Our Preservation Effort 2025 Budget
Income:
Rental Income – Long House Tenants $41,844.
Interest Income – Checking Account 2,034.
Membership Dues 1,000.
Contributions 95,000.
Total Income: $ 139,878.
Expenses:
Long House Expenses:
Electricity $ 360.
Water 2,400.
Insurance 8,400.
Exterior Repairs & Painting 12,150.
Snow removal/plowing 2,400.
Lawn care 2,700.
Propane 5,700.
Mortgage Payments 14,040.
Total Expenses – Long House $ 48,150.
Crusen/Cooper Houses Expenses:
Insurance $ 8,600.
Appraisal 500.
Legal fees and closing costs 16,000.
Down payment to purchase 81,250.
Mortgage Payments 13,910.
Real Estate Taxes (2025 – only) 1,900.
Total Expenses – Crusen/Cooper $ 122,160.
General Expenses:
Accounting $ 1,200.
Miscellaneous 1,000.
Total General Expenses $ 2,200.
Total Expenses $172,510.
Surplus/Deficit – Income over/under expenses ($ 32,632.)