This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Politics & Government

Cox Committee Looking At Options To Tackle Leaky Roof

Members brainstorm ways to increase use of the historic house

The Cox Museum and Library Committee is seeking feedback from the Barnegat Township Committee on the possible use of a sealant on the leaky roof of the historic Cox House.

The committee had originally sought to have the roof replaced on the historic Main Street home, but cost was a factor.

“The roof is having problems,” said Gary Brower, Cox Museum committeeman at large. “There are active leaks. We wanted to get it replaced but it was too cost-prohibitive.”

Find out what's happening in Barnegat-Manahawkinwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The cost to replace the roof would run about $25,000, while the sealant would cost considerably less at upwards of $10,000.

The sealant is expected to last 10 years, Brower said.

Find out what's happening in Barnegat-Manahawkinwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The committee has a supplier in mind, Nutech Paint, a Santa Ana, California-based company.

Costs associated with the Cox House have been a source of controversy in the past. At a March township committee meeting Deputy Mayor Alfonso Cirulli stressed the need to work out a plan to care for the deteriorating Cox House, which is currently owned by the township.

At the time, Cirulli said the Cox House committee should consider handing over the property to the county. “It’s a wonderful thing,” he said, but major repairs are needed to keep the building from falling apart.

In the meantime the Cox committee is looking to raise funds through various means.The Friends of the Cox House have said they are interested in expanding the use of the house.

The Friends have made a request to host a series of Murder Mystery events at the historic house. The events would begin in the fall.

The Friends would also like town approval to reach out to nonprofit groups that would be interested in holding meetings at the house. “They want some guidelines on how to reach out to groups,” said Brower.

Currently the historic society, garden club and historic preservation committee, among others, meet at the house.

“I like the idea that they want to solicit…we don’t want anyone to think that the house is underutilized,” said Brower

Another option would be to rent out the house for events. Each event would have to be approved by Cox and the township committee.

Members said they had in mind business receptions, luncheons meetings or wedding ceremonies. . “They would have to come before us on a case by case basis,” Brower said.

“We’re receptive to the idea but we need more details before we can recommend it to the township committee,” said Brower.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?