[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Upper Deerfield 10-2-1975 by Ord. No. 147 (Ch. 12 of the 1977 Township Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Zoning and development — See Ch. 405.
There is hereby created a committee to be known and designated as the "Upper Deerfield Historical Committee."
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Editor's Note: Throughout this chapter, "Historical Commission" was changed to "Historical Committee" 5-5-2011 by Ord. No. 669.
[Amended 2-7-2019 by Ord. No. 797]
There shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by a majority of the Township Committee, seven members of the Committee for terms of five years each, provided that, upon the adoption of this chapter, the initial appointments shall be made so that only one term will expire in each of the first three consecutive years beginning January 1, 1976, and two terms will expire in each of the two consecutive years thereafter. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner for the unexpired term, and all members of the Committee shall hold office until their successors have been appointed and have qualified. Four alternate members may be appointed to the Historical Committee. Alternate members shall serve for terms of two years; provided, however, that the initial terms of such members shall be two one-year appointments and two two-year appointments, respectively. Such alternate members shall be designated by the Mayor as "Alternate No. 1," "Alternate No. 2," "Alternate No. 3" and "Alternate No. 4," and shall serve during the absence or disqualification of any regular member.
Each member of the Committee may be a resident or a nonresident of the Township of Upper Deerfield and shall serve without compensation. Reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by or on behalf of members of the Committee may be paid by the Township upon approval by the Township Committee.
A member of the Committee may be removed from such position by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Township Committee, provided that such removal shall be for just cause and after public hearing on 10 days' written notice given to such member in person or by certified mail sent to the last known post office address of such member, which notice shall be complete upon mailing.
The purpose of the Historical Committee shall be primarily to encourage and provide for the preservation and restoration of historic sites and structures within the Township of Upper Deerfield, cooperating with other persons, committees, commissions and organizations having a similar purpose, whether located within or without this Township.
The Committee shall meet and organize during the month of January in each year and shall elect a Chairman, a Vice Chairman and a Secretary from among the members of the Committee, all of whom shall hold office until the next following annual meeting of the Committee and until their respective successors have been chosen and shall qualify. Vacancies in any office shall be filled for the unexpired term. A temporary officer may be elected to serve during the absence or disability of any officer. The Committee may elect additional officers and fix their terms of office.
The Committee shall make its own rules and regulations concerning the time, place and conduct of its meetings, provided the Secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings and such meetings shall be open to the public.
The Committee may employ such personnel as may be necessary to carry out its program and purposes, but no salary or other compensation shall be paid to any personnel unless an appropriation has been provided therefor and such expenditure has been approved by the Township Committee.
The Committee may request from the Township Committee annually and from time to time an appropriation of funds for operating expenses and may incur such expenses within the limits of any existing budget appropriation therefor, and payment of all such expenses shall be made from the Township treasury upon approval by the Township Committee, unless and until the Township Committee shall make other provision therefor.[1]
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Editor's Note: For provisions pertaining to the payment of claims generally, see Ch. 7, Claims Approval.
The Committee may act on behalf of the municipality for the purposes provided in this chapter in overseeing and administering the preservation and restoration of historic sites and structures within the Township, including promoting and making application for available private or public funds to be received and used by the municipality for such purposes.
The Committee may foster and encourage the acquisition of real and personal property, by gift, purchase, lease or otherwise, deemed proper for the carrying out of the general purposes of this chapter, but any interest in such property shall be acquired in the name of the Township of Upper Deerfield after approval and authorization by the Township Committee. If property having historical significance is acquired by the Township pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, such property shall not thereafter be demolished, sold or transferred unless the Committee shall first determine by resolution that it is no longer desirable to retain and preserve such property as a historic site or structure.
The Committee may establish admission fees or similar charges affecting the use of any historic site or structure which the Committee has the right to oversee and supervise, whether such property is owned by the Township or otherwise, provided that the collection of such admission fees or similar charges is not contrary to the terms of any covenant, lease or agreement affecting said property, and provided, further, that no such fees or similar charges shall be made unless the same have first been approved by the Township Committee and that all funds received therefrom shall be paid over to the Township, unless separate provision shall be made therefor by the Township Committee from time to time according to law.
The Committee may provide for concessions and leasing of property under its supervision and control when legally permitted to do so, provided that the terms of any such concession or lease shall first be approved by the Township Committee and that all funds received therefrom shall be paid over to the Township, unless separate provision shall be made therefor by the Township Committee from time to time according to law.