There is hereby created in and for the Borough of Paulsboro
a Historic Preservation Commission.
The Historic Preservation Commission shall elect a Chair, Vice
Chair, and Secretary from its members.
The Commission shall create rules and procedures for the transaction
of its business, subject to the following regulations:
A. A quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of four of
the Commission's members, including the Chair or, in his or her
absence, the Vice Chair.
B. The Secretary shall keep minutes and records of all meetings and
proceedings, including voting records, attendance, resolutions, findings,
determinations and decisions. All such material shall be public records.
C. All meetings shall comply with the Open Public Meetings Act (N.J.S.A.
10:4-6 et seq.).
D. Alternate members may participate in discussions of the proceedings
but may not vote, except in the absence or disqualification of a regular
member. A vote shall not be delayed in order that a regular member
may vote instead of an alternate member. In the event that a choice
must be made as to which alternate member is to vote, Alternate No.
1 shall vote.
E. No member of the Historic Preservation Commission shall be permitted
to act on any matter in which he or she has, either directly or indirectly,
any personal or financial interest.
F. A member of the Historic Preservation Commission may, after public
hearing if he or she requests it, be removed by the governing body
for cause. A member may be removed from office after missing three
consecutive meetings without cause.
The governing body shall make provision in its budget and appropriate
funds for the expenses of the Historic Preservation Commission.
The Commission members shall serve without compensation but
shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of official
business.
The Historic Preservation Commission may employ, contract for
and fix the compensation of experts and other staff and services as
it shall deem necessary. The Commission shall obtain its legal counsel
from the Borough Solicitor at the rate of compensation determined
by the governing body. Expenditures pursuant to this section shall
not exceed, exclusive of gifts or grants, the amount appropriated
by the governing body for the Commission's use.
The Historic Preservation Commission shall have the responsibility
to:
A. Prepare a survey of historic sites of the municipality pursuant to
criteria identified in the survey report;
B. Make recommendations to the Land Use Board on the historic preservation
plan element of the Master Plan and on the implications for preservation
of historic sites of any other Master Plan elements;
C. Advise the Land Use Board on the inclusion of historic sites in the
recommended capital improvement program;
D. Advise the Land Use Board on applications for development pursuant to §
39-10 of this chapter;
E. Provide written reports pursuant to §
39-11 of this chapter on the application of the zoning ordinance provisions concerning historic preservation;
F. Carry out such other advisory, educational and informational functions
as will promote historic preservation in the municipality;
G. Promote public interest in the purpose of this chapter by carrying
on educational and public relations programs;
H. Formulate recommendations concerning the preparation and publication
of maps, brochures and descriptive material about the town's
historical and/or architectural sites and buildings;
I. Advise owners of historic buildings on topics such as resources and
guidelines, historical markers, rehabilitation, repairs, maintenance
methods and technologies, adaptive use, economic and tax incentives,
and other historic preservation strategies.
The Land Use Board shall submit to the Historic Preservation
Commission a copy of every application submitted to the Board for
development on historic sites, buildings, or properties designated
on the Zoning or Official Map or in any component element of the Master
Plan. The Historic Preservation Commission shall provide its advice,
which shall be conveyed through its delegation of one of its members
or staff to testify orally at the hearing on the application and to
explain any written reports which may have been submitted.