The Bayonne Historic Commission on Tuesday discussed a mural painted on the east-facing wall of the Chief John Brennan Fire Museum and said the work should be routed to the State Historic Preservation Office for review because the building is city-owned and sits on state and federal land.

Chairman Nowicki said the museum group has reconstituted a nonprofit board and that volunteers had painted a mural on the wall facing Morris Park. He told commissioners the volunteers did not know the wall required review by state or federal preservation authorities and that the commission had contacted the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) to “expedite getting it straightened out.”

The commission noted city ownership of the firehouse makes SHPO involvement mandatory before the mural is treated as a routine maintenance or artistic project. Members said the mural appears consistent with the building’s use as a fire museum but emphasized that exterior alterations to a landmarked or publicly owned historic property must follow SHPO procedures so changes do not affect landmark status.

Commissioners asked staff to locate the SHPO form the office requires for city-owned properties and to ensure the museum’s volunteer group completes it. Commissioners also discussed structural concerns at the museum: one member asked that an engineering review ensure the decorative exterior finishes and underlying masonry are stable before further work is done.

Commission volunteers and retired firefighter volunteer Mr. Whitney were identified in the discussion as actively working at the museum; Council member Gary LaPalouse was mentioned as aiding the group’s effort to reestablish nonprofit status. The commission encouraged coordination between the museum volunteers, municipal staff and SHPO to document the mural and to pursue any required approvals.

No formal vote was taken on the mural; the commission recorded the matter for follow-up at a future meeting and asked staff to provide the SHPO application materials.