[Ord. 2001-4, 7/9/2001, § 101]
In order to recognize the significance of locating, naming and
preserving historical resources within the boundaries of East Nottingham
Township for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of the people,
including future generations, this Part creates an Historic Commission.
[Ord. 2001-4, 7/9/2001, § 102]
East Nottingham Township, by and through its Board of Supervisors,
hereby establishes the East Nottingham Township Historic Commission
which shall be governed by the rules, regulations and duties hereinafter
set forth. The Historic Commission shall fully cooperate with the
Board of Supervisors and the Township officials in all matters of
business.
[Ord. 2001-4, 7/9/2001, § 103; as amended by Ord.
2008-12, 3/10/2008, § 1]
1.
The Historic Commission shall serve as an advisory and information gathering body for the purpose of identifying, collecting and preserving the historical resources in the Township. The specific duties of the Commission are listed below and in § 1-226, "Financial Operations."
A.
Identify significant architectural and natural sites, which reflect
the history of the Township. Research the history of the Township
from the native Americans to the present day, including all cultural,
agricultural, business, educational and religious endeavors. Notify
owners in writing of identified significant sites and request permission
to gather historical information about the site.
B.
Collect significant data including, but not limited to, maps, pictures,
written records, of identified sites. Prepare written documentation
recording the history of the Township.
C.
Preserve and file all collected data for current and future research
use by the Township residents.
D.
Create and maintain an awareness of the Township history for Township
residents. Propose for approval by the Board of Supervisors, a system
to mark historic sites, including purchase, installation and care
of markers as well as associated costs thereof.
E.
Act as an advisory resource for owners of historic sites who are
involved in the preservation and/or restoration of their sites. This
includes the following items:
(1)
Advise owners regarding availability and application for technical
and financial assistance from all appropriate local, county, state,
federal and other agencies for the purpose of preservation and/or
restoration.
(2)
Advise owners regarding nomination to the National Register
of Historic Places in accordance with the provisions of the Federal
National Historical Preservation Act of 1996, as amended.
F.
Cooperate with and enlist the assistance from the National Park Service,
the National Historic Trust for Historic Preservation, the Pennsylvania
Historical and Museum Commission and other local, county, state and
national historical societies, conservancies and other agencies, public
and private concerned with historical and/or architectural preservation.
G.
Advise the Board of Supervisors of contemplated activities and actions
through reports, meeting minutes, and other documentation, which may
be requested by the Board of Supervisors.
H.
At the request of the Board of Supervisors, prepare reports or presentations
which address matters of interest to the Township. These matters may
include advisement on proposed zoning, subdivision or land development
proposals; creation of historic district(s); buildings and building
additions or alterations; and demolitions.
I.
Perform all duties assigned to the Historic Commission that are set forth in the Historic Preservation Ordinance, Article XXV of the Zoning Ordinance of East Nottingham Township [Chapter 27, Part 25] and any amendments thereto. Such duties shall include but not be limited to preparation of a historic resources inventory, additions and deletions of historic resources to the Township's historic resources inventory, preparing reviews and conducting public meetings that are required by the provisions of the Historic Preservation Ordinance.
J.
Perform additional duties that may be assigned by the Board of Supervisors.
[Ord. 2001-4, 7/9/2001, § 104; as amended by Ord.
2008-12, 3/10/2008, § 1]
The Historic Commission's duties shall be limited to those duties set forth in Article XXV, the Historic Preservation Ordinance of East Nottingham Township and any amendments thereto [Chapter 27, Part 25]; the duties set forth in the Historic Commission Ordinance, as amended, and additional duties specifically assigned by the Board of Supervisors.
[Ord. 2001-4, 7/9/2001, § 105; as amended by Ord.
2008-12, 3/10/2008, § 1]
1.
The Historic Commission shall consist of five members, all of whom
shall be residents of the Township, and a quorum that consist of three
members.
A.
The members shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors and shall
serve at the pleasure of the Board of Supervisors, unless removed
by the Board of Supervisors.
B.
Each member shall serve a term of office for five years, except for
the initial term which shall be three members appointed for one year,
three members appointed for two years, and three members appointed
for three years.
(1)
The Commission shall elect annually a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson,
Secretary, and Treasurer. One person may fill the Secretary and Treasurer
positions.
C.
Each member shall serve without compensation but members may be reimbursed for expenses per § 1-226, "Financial Operations," below.
D.
A vacancy on the Commission shall be filled by a Township resident
appointed by the Board of Supervisors for the unexpired term. The
Commission may make nonbinding recommendations for appointees to the
Board of Supervisors for vacancies, as well as unfulfilled or full
terms.
E.
The Historic Commission shall have the right to establish appropriate
committees as necessary to carry out their responsibilities. Members
of committees may be nonresidents of the Township or residents of
the Township who are not Historic Commission members. Committee members
may be chosen for their expertise in a specific field. A member of
the Historic Commission shall chair each committee.
F.
The Historic Commission shall hold publicly advertised meetings on
a monthly or other recurrent basis, as approved by the Board of Supervisors.
The purpose of the meetings is to conduct the business of the Commission.
The Historic Commission shall adopt rules and regulations for the
conduct of its business.
G.
The Historic Commission, may, with the consent of the Board of Supervisors,
utilize any personnel or other assistance made available from the
County, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or the federal government,
or any of their agencies, or from any other private or public sources.
The Board of Supervisors may enter into agreements or contracts regarding
the acceptance or utilization of such personnel or other assistance
as may be available.
[Ord. 2001-4, 7/9/2001, § 106]
1.
Funding for Historic Commission activities may come from the Township
or other outside sources.
A.
The Historic Commission shall annually submit a plan of activities
and a proposed budget to the Board of Supervisors during the regular
Township budget process.
(1)
Funds for the expenses to be incurred by the Historic Commission
shall, at the sole discretion of the Board of Supervisors, be appropriated
by the Board of Supervisors. Due to the advisory nature of the Historic
Commission, the Township has no obligation to provide any substantial
financial funds to it.
(2)
The Historic Commission may expend monies for such administrative,
clerical, printing and legal services as may from time to time be
required, but its expenditure shall be limited to the amount of funds
appropriated to it by the Board of Supervisors or otherwise obtained
from other sources as provided in this section. All expenditures of
the Historic Commission shall be subject to the approval of the Board
of Supervisors.
(a)
Any fees for legal or other professional services, which shall
be proposed or actually incurred and which directly benefit a specific
owner or owners of historical site(s), shall be paid with non-Township
funds or by reimbursement from the owner(s). Prior to incurring the
expense, the Historic Commission shall procure a written estimate
of proposed fees; make this estimate available to the historical site
owner(s); shall advise the owner(s) the current year reimbursement
percentage figure available from non-Township funds; and shall request
and receive the owner's written agreement to pay the unreimbursed
costs and the owner's written permission to proceed with the
service(s).
(b)
The Historic Commission shall advise the Board of Supervisors,
as part of the annual budget process, what percentage of professional
fees which directly benefit a specific owner or owners of historical
site(s), shall be reimbursed by non-Township funds for the upcoming
fiscal year. This reimbursement percentage figure, used to calculate
the reimbursement amount from non-Township funds, shall be used for
each such historical site project investigated during the fiscal year.
This reimbursement percentage figure shall not change during the fiscal
year, unless authorized by the Board of Supervisors.
(c)
A list of proposed expenses, including individual member expenses,
shall be included as part of the annual budget process. The expense
list shall include, but is not limited to, automobile mileage, other
transportation expense, postage, copying and reproduction, office
supplies, equipment and furniture, membership fees, subscriptions,
legal and professional fees. As part of the budget approval process,
the Board of Supervisors shall designate what, if any, portions of
the proposed Historic Commission budget the Township will fund.
(3)
Members may be reimbursed for expenses actually and necessarily
incurred by them in the performance of their duties and in the conduct
of Historic Commission business. Reimbursement shall be authorized
by the Chairman of the Historic Commission and approved by the Board
of Supervisors.
B.
The Historic Commission may, with the consent of the Board of Supervisors,
utilize any funds made available from the County, the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania or the federal government, or any of their agencies,
or from any other private or public sources.
C.
Accounting for the receipt of any funds and for the expenditure thereof
shall be pursuant to such regulations as the Board of Supervisors
may adopt.
D.
Unless specifically authorized by the Board of Supervisors, the Historic
Commission shall not establish any separate bank or other account
for the deposit or accumulation of funds.
E.
The Board of Supervisors may enter into agreements or contracts regarding
the acceptance or utilization of such funds as may be available.
2.
This Part shall become effective 10 days from enactment and upon
appointment of at least three members to the Historic Commission by
the Board of Supervisors.
