The Historical and Architectural Review Board issued a certificate of appropriateness for a Plaque Program relaunch at their Oct. 1 meeting held at city hall’s Rotunda.

After receiving input from the board at the previous meeting, Bethlehem Historic District Association President Michele Schultz returned to seek approval for the newly-designed brass plaque intended to replace the wooden ones displayed on older structures throughout the historic district.

Alan Lowcher from Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites assisted Schultz with the successful proposal.

Many of the 7-inch-by-10 inch Eastern Pine ¾-inch-thick ovals with the date etched on them are beginning to show their age, according to Schultz. Besides being weather-resistant, the bronze oval replacements would sport “Bethlehem Historic District” and “Historic Structure” centered above and below the date the structure was built. These are designed to utilize the same fastener holes as the older ones. While the same size as the wood ones, the ¼-inch-thick brass plaques would feature a “leatherette” background with raised letters and border.

Two options were approved for wording along the bottom of the markers, with “Historic Structure” as the standard copy or a family name associated with the construction or history of the building. “Wilbur House” was submitted as an example.

Schultz was happy to announce the cost for each new brass plaque has come down from around $400 each to $197 by purchasing them directly from a foundry in Pittsburgh. The original wood plaques had been created by a neighborhood woodworker at no cost during the late 1970s or early ’80s.

Tabled at the previous meeting, Dennis Murphy was given the go ahead for his proposed 12-inch-by-14-inch bronze plaque for the circa 1860 brick residence he and his wife Sheri own at 36 East Wall St. This rectangular bronze plaque commemorates Joseph H. Traeger, who built the Federal style house.

The Civil War veteran also made significant contributions to the City of Bethlehem. Mike Simonson assured Murphy his marker conforms with zoning requirements.

Business owner Brianna Lasko scored a COA for a two-sided hanging sign for her home décor store at 450 Main St. The oval MDO sign panel for “Lovely by Brianna” measures 40 inches by 31.5 inches with black letters on an off-white background. It will hang from an existing black sign bracket. While HARB Chair Connie Postupack expressed concerns about the size of the oval-shaped signage, the COA stipulates the sign will get approved by zoning before it’s ordered.

The 2.5-story masonry building is owned by Marie Fry Renaissance Realty.

Representing 46 E. Wall St., Mike Wimmer from Plantique received approval for a fencing proposal for the side and back yard of the property. Part of the fencing involves a new wood shadowbox style fence and gate, a new arbor, as well as a black aluminum CEF-AS Strafford Through Picket fence and gate in the rear of the property that faces a back alley.

Ann Gastinger is listed as the owner of the circa 1900 brick residence.

Contractor George Russo was granted HARB permission for masonry work at the estate of his client at 108-110 Wesley St. The project involves constructing a 6-foot, 8-inch wide by 7-foot 6-inch porch stoop with stairs built out of concrete and block. The stone face coverings are to match the existing structure and the treads will be bluestone. The porch will have bluestone borders with a brick inlay. New walkways are to match pavers to match the existing sidewalks on the property.

The block-sized property, sandwiched by Wesley, E. Church, Center and Pine streets is owned by Bruce Lawrence.

Anthony Turissini from Holenick Exteriors was granted a COA for replacing asphalt shingle roofing with GAF Tigerpaw shingles in Pewter Gray for 239 E. Wall St. It was stipulated the chimney flashing be copper.

The residence is owned by Emilie Galle.

Alex D’Angelo won approval for a proposed large gaslight fixture for the front façade of his residence at 438 Center St. The black French Quarter Rodin lamp with top and bottom finials is to be mounted on the mortar to the left of the entranceway and front door. The decorative lantern measures 37 inches from the top to bottom of the finials. D’Angelo was also approved to paint the trim around the front door black to match the shutters on the second and third floor.

The circa 1870 brick home is owned by Alex and Kathleen D’Angelo.

All voting was unanimous.

Halfway through the proceedings, the meeting was moved to a conference room as the Rotunda had accidentally been double-booked for a police department event. “They have guns,” quipped Simonson as everyone vacated the room.

The Historical and Architectural Review Board regularly meets the first Wednesday of every month to review all exterior changes proposed to buildings in the Bethlehem Historic District north of the Lehigh River. When a proposed project receives a certificate of appropriateness from the board, applicants must wait for City Council to vote on it before proceeding. Meetings can be viewed on YouTube.