[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."
[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.
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.