Pennington HPC will send contractor letter after exterior chimney removed without approval at 120 S. Main Street

The Pennington Borough Historic Preservation Commission reviewed an application and an unapproved exterior alteration reported at 120 S. Main Street (Block 505, Lot 15) during its March 17, 2026 meeting.

Chair Eric Holtermann said the application on file primarily covers interior work and that the property owner, Joanne Terogin, told the commission she was not aware the contractor would remove one of two exterior chimneys while adding a bathroom to an existing bedroom. Terogin said no other exterior changes are planned; she will repair the windows rather than replace them.

Holtermann told the commission that the Pennington Borough Crossroads Historic District’s character is a central concern and explained why applicants must consult the HPC before beginning exterior work. Commissioners expressed disappointment that the contractor removed the chimney before HPC review. The commission agreed Holtermann should send a letter to the contractor acknowledging the application and the file and stating the commission will not be taking formal action at this meeting.

No formal enforcement action, permit revocation, or vote on penalties was recorded in the minutes; the application remains on file. The property was identified in the minutes as 120 S. Main Street, Block 505, Lot 15. (The minutes also contain one instance where the property is referenced as “120 N. Main Street”; that appears to be a typographical error in the minutes.)

The chair will prepare and send the contractor letter; the commission did not schedule further formal action during the meeting.