All members of the existing West Whiteland Planning Commission appointed
under the provisions of Ordinance Number 2 of June 18, 1956, shall continue in office until the end of the term for which they
were appointed and their successors shall be appointed as provided by this
chapter.
The West Whiteland Township Planning Commission shall consist of seven
members. Additional members shall be appointed by the Board under the provisions
of this chapter. All new members shall be residents of the Township. At least
five members of the Planning Commission shall be citizen members. The remaining
two members may be officers or employees of the Township. As new members or
additional members are appointed, they shall be appointed for terms of four
years except that appointment of additional members shall be made so that
no more than two shall be reappointed or replaced during any future calendar
year. The Chairman of the Planning Commission shall properly notify the Board
of vacancies in the Commission and such vacancies shall be filled for the
unexpired term. All members of the Planning Commission shall serve without
compensation but may be reimbursed for necessary and reasonable expenses.
Officers or employees of the Township, however, shall not by reason of membership
on the Planning Commission forfeit the right to exercise the powers, perform
the duties or receive the compensations of the municipal offices held by them
during such membership.
The Board of Supervisors may remove any member, or members, of the Planning
Commission for malfeasance or nonfeasance in office, or for other just cause
by a majority vote of the Board, taken after the member has received 15 days'
advance notice of the intent to take such a vote. A hearing shall be held
in connection with the vote if the member shall request it in writing. Any
appointment to fill a vacancy created by removal shall be only for the unexpired
term.
The Township Planning Commission shall elect its own Chairman and Vice
Chairman and create and fill such other offices as it may determine. The Commission
may make and alter rules for its procedure consistent with the ordinances
of the Township and the laws of the commonwealth.
The Board shall appropriate from the general Township funds such money
as may be necessary and may be available for the work of the Planning Commission
in the year in which the appropriation is made. The Planning Commission may
appoint such employees and staff as it may deem necessary for its work and
may contract with planners, surveyors and other consultants for such technical
services as it may require upon authorization of the Board of Supervisors.
These and other expenditures as may be necessary and proper shall be within
the amount appropriated for the purpose by the Board of Township Supervisors
or placed at the Commission's disposal from other sources.
The Planning Commission may, with the consent of the Board, accept and
utilize any funds, personnel or other assistance made available by the county,
the commonwealth or the federal government or any of their agencies, or from
private sources. The Board may enter into agreements or contracts regarding
the acceptance or utilization of the funds or assistance in accordance with
the governmental procedures of the Township.