[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Aldan 8-9-1995
by Ord. No. 463. Amendments noted where applicable.]
It is declared as a matter of public policy that the preservation and
protection of historic resources are public necessities and are in the interest
of the health, prosperity and welfare of the citizens of the Borough of Aldan.
The Council of the Borough of Aldan does, this date, enact and create the
Borough of Aldan Historical Commission, as permitted by Section 1202(48) and
(78) of the Pennsylvania Borough Code, codified at 53 P.S. § 46202,
as well as 53 P.S. § 8001 et seq., permitting boroughs and other
political subdivisions to protect the historical character of their communities.
The purposes of this chapter are as follows:
A.
Promote the general welfare by protecting the integrity
of the historic resources of the Borough of Aldan.
B.
Mitigate the negative effects of proposed changes upon
historic resources.
C.
Encourage the continuation of historical resources and
facilitate their appropriate reuse.
D.
Promote among residents of the borough a knowledge of
the history of the community and an appreciation for the accomplishment of
its citizens.
E.
Collect and preserve materials of historic value related
to the borough.
F.
Encourage research into the history of the borough with
a view to discovering previously unknown facts concerning the borough's
history.
G.
Identify building and sites of historic interest and
significance in the borough for the purposes of national registration.
H.
Facilitate the efforts of borough residents engaged in
genealogical research into family histories.
I.
Encourage the preservation of historic settings and landscapes.
J.
Discourage the unnecessary demolition or deterioration
of historic resources.
K.
Implement the goals of the Constitution of the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania at Article I, Section 27, establishing the policy of this
commonwealth of encouraging the preservation of historic and aesthetic resources.
There shall be a Borough of Aldan Historical Commission which shall
consist of seven members who shall be appointed by Borough Council. The membership
of the Commission shall include individuals who have an interest in history,
archeology or historic preservation. Each Commission member shall serve for
a term of two years. The Commission shall notify the Borough Council of any
vacancies within the Commission, and the Council shall act within 90 days
to fill those vacancies. Appointments to fill vacancies for unexpired terms
shall be only for the unexpired portion of the term. Commission members shall
serve without pay, but shall be reimbursed for any personal expenditures during
the conduct of Commission business when authorized by the Borough Council.
The Commission shall annually elect from its own membership a Chairman
who will direct the activities of the Commission and such other officers as
may be required for the conduct of its business. A quorum shall be not less
than a majority of the current membership. The Commission may issue, alter
and rescind rules and forms for its procedures consistent with the ordinances
of this borough and laws and regulations of the commonwealth. The Commission
shall conduct business at regular public meetings. An agenda of each public
meeting may be available for inspection prior to the meeting. The Commission
shall keep full public records of its business and shall submit a report of
its activities to the Borough Council by the first Wednesday of October of
each year.
Within the limits of funds appropriated by the Borough Council, the
Commission may employ staff or contract for clerical, consulting or other
technical services. The Commission may also raise funds or moneys through
the sales of publications respecting the history of the Borough of Aldan and/or
articles or mementos relative to the history of the borough or any and all
other such similar types of fundraising activities. Any funds raised in excess
of the yearly budget for the Commission, as determined by the Borough Council,
shall be returned to the Borough Treasurer in order to be used for appropriations
for the Commission in the following year or future years.
In accordance with the purposes of this chapter, the Commission shall
have the following functions and duties:
A.
Maintain a system for the survey and inventory of historic
buildings, sites, structures, objects and districts within the Borough of
Aldan.
B.
Conduct research upon and nominate significant resources
to the National Register of Historic Places and any other appropriate lists
or programs.
C.
Conduct research upon and nominate significant historic
resources for inclusion within any lists or signage maintained or erected
by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Historical and Museum Commission.
D.
Promote among the citizenry of the borough a knowledge
and awareness of the history of the borough and appreciation for the accomplishments
and contributions of Aldan residents and citizens to the history of the borough,
commonwealth and nation.
E.
Collect and preserve materials of historic value related
to the borough, including borough records, documents and materials, especially
those related to the early years of the borough and/or its creation, in addition
to Delaware County and/or Pennsylvania Historic Resource Survey forms, photographic
records, newspapers or magazines, deeds, title searches, recorded interviews,
transcribed interviews, videotapes, etc.
F.
Sponsor exhibits from time to time concerning the history
of the borough, and publish papers, pamphlets or other documents relating
to the history of the borough.
G.
Advise the Building Inspector, Zoning Officer, Mayor
or Borough Council respecting the issuance of permits for the construction
or demolition of historic sites or resources within the borough. When requested,
in writing, to issue such comments by any of the aforementioned officials,
the Commission shall review and comment upon the issuance of the aforementioned
permits to the requesting authority within 30 days of said request.
H.
Advise the Planning Commission or Borough Council respecting
a subdivision or land development which may affect historic resources or sites
within the borough. Within 30 days of a written request by the Planning Commission
or Borough Council, the Commission shall issue a written review and comment
upon the proposed subdivision or land development directed to the requesting
authority.
I.
Advise the Zoning Hearing Board or Borough Council, when
requested to comment, respecting all applications for special exceptions,
conditional uses, variances or zoning changes affecting historic resources
or historic sites. With 30 days from such a written request by either the
Zoning Hearing Board or the Borough Council, the Commission shall issue its
written review and comment upon such request for special exceptions, conditional
uses, variances or zoning changes to the requesting authority.
J.
Maintain and update a list which clearly identifies buildings,
sites, structures, objects and districts within the borough of historical
significance.
K.
The Chairman of the Commission, or his designee, may
also, without request, testify, before either the Borough Council, the Planning
Commission, the Zoning Hearing Board or at any other public forum, regarding
any and all matters affecting historical resources or sites within the Borough
of Aldan.
L.
Perform any other lawful activity which
shall be deemed necessary to further the purposes of this chapter.
