Despite pleas from the recently-formed Friends of Johnston, Bethlehem Township Commissioners said "No" at their Feb. 18 meeting to an offer of help in restoring a 22-room mansion that was once home to Bethlehem's first mayor, Archibald Johnston.

In a 3-2 vote, commissioners declined to support this group. President Paul Weiss, Michael Hudak and Martin Zawarski voted against the proposal, which was supported by Tom Nolan and Phil "Felix" Barnard. But after the meeting, Weiss indicated that the commissioners would support the Friends of Johnston if they are willing to work with and under the township's Parks and Recreation Board.

The Friends of Johnston has been establish to preserve, restore and repurpose Housenick Park, located off Christian Springs Road. The park was donated to the township under the will of Janet Housenick in 2006 and consists of the mansion as well as a 55-acre tract of land, nestled along Monocacy Creek. Housenick also established a $2 million trust fund to assist with maintenance costs.

Ten Johnston Friends urged commissioners to adopt a resolution supporting their mission at the park. Pediatrician Dr. Andrew Unger argued for a restoration of the mansion.

"They just don't make 'em like that anymore," he said. His sentiments were echoed by Bethlehem City Council member Karen Dolan.

"You can't pass up an opportunity like this," she urged. "Accept this gift. You will not regret it."

Victoria Bastidas, who along with Commissioner Tom Nolan, has been the driving force behind this movement, challenged the commissioners to be as visionary as Mayor Archibald Johnston, who in his 1918 inaugural address recognized the importance of community centers.

But Hudak said commissioners are already following a 2011 Housenick Park Plan that calls for $1.7 million in improvements to the park, with another $1 million for mansion restoration as a public use. The plan envisions 2.29 miles of walking trails, a pavilion, trail head and public restrooms.

"Contrary to what we heard earlier, progress is being made there," Hudak said.

Nolan sharply disagreed.

"You put a dagger in the heart of the mansion tonight," he charged. Right after the meeting, Nolan and Hudak engaged in a heated exchange.

"You should be ashamed of yourself," Hudak said to Nolan. "Who do you represent, the people of this township or Vicky Bastidas?"

Bastidas lives in Bethlehem, not the township.

But despite the angry words, Weiss said he believes things can be worked out. If the Friends are willing to interact with the Township's Parks and Recreation Board, he would support their efforts. He complained that the board had been blindsided.

"They never talked to the board; they never talked to the manager or any of the staff," he observed. "Before it hit the press, they should have come to the township and discussed their proposal with us. We all found out at the last minute."

Weiss also complimented the Friends.

"I think they've got a great group of people there," he said. "But collectively, between them and the township, it's going to be a question about how you dovetail that together."

The township's Parks and Recreation Board has been charged with facilitating the Housenick Park Plan, but Nolan complained it is collecting dust.

"If they [the Johnston Friends] think they can facilitate the restoration of the mansion faster, I'm all for it," he said. "I've got no problem with that."

Contacted after the meeting, Bastidas said her group is willing to work with the township's Parks and Recreation Committee.