[Adopted 3-5-2007 by Ord. No. 375-07]
There is hereby established a Commission to be known as the
"Easttown Township Historical Commission."
The Commission shall serve in an advisory capacity for historical
preservation information facilitation to the citizens of the Township.
To accomplish this purpose, the Commission shall:
A.
Identify significant architectural, historical, and natural sites
in Easttown Township and maintain a detailed inventory and map(s)
of these historical resources, including informational data appropriately
classified;
B.
Create an awareness of the history of the Township from the earliest
residents to the present day, including their cultural, agricultural,
business, educational, and religious endeavors;
C.
Research and report the history of Easttown Township and serve as
an advisory resource for owners of historical sites involved with
the rehabilitation, preservation and/or restoration;
D.
Prepare appropriate reports for the Board of Supervisors, as well
as reports which may be requested by the Board of Supervisors;
E.
The Historical Commission shall cooperate with and advise the Board
of Supervisors, the Township Planning Commission, and all other Township
officials and agencies in relation to the exterior renovation, rehabilitation,
preservation, protection, adaptive reuse, and restoration of significant
historical structures and sites as well as any proposed demolition.
[Amended 11-21-2022 by Ord. No. 453-22]
(1)
Village of Berwyn Zoning Districts. Within the Village of Berwyn
Zoning Districts, the Historical Commission shall review and advise
as to all proposed exterior demolition, exterior renovation, or other
exterior construction, restoration, or installation work requiring
a permit in the Village of Berwyn Zoning Districts, including the
review, analysis, and evaluation of aesthetic design for new construction,
in order to maintain the character, streetscape, and massing of all
structures within public view within the Village of Berwyn Zoning
Districts. Such review in the Village of Berwyn Zoning Districts shall
include, but is not limited to, Class 1 or Class 2 Historic Resources.
(2)
All other zoning districts. In all zoning districts outside of the
Village of Berwyn Zoning Districts, the Historical Commission shall
review and advise only as to Class 1 or Class 2 Historic Resources,
where demolition, exterior renovation, or other exterior construction,
restoration, or installation work proposed as to Class 1 or Class
2 Historic Resources requires a permit and is within public view,
including the review, analysis, and evaluation of the proposed work.
F.
Consider, promote, and, with approval of the Board of Supervisors,
apply for technical and financial assistance from all appropriate
local, county, state, federal, and other agencies in the preservation
of significant architectural, natural, and historical sites within
Easttown Township, and report all related action to the Board of Supervisors;
G.
When requested, cooperate with all Township officials regarding the
possible acquisition and use of significant historic structures and
sites, including their research and nomination to the National Register
of Historic Places in accordance with the provisions of the National
Historical Preservation Act of 1966, as amended; and
H.
Perform other related duties as may be delegated by the Board of
Supervisors.
A.
The said Historical Commission shall:
(1)
Consist of a minimum of five members who must be residents of Easttown
Township;
(2)
Be appointed by the Board of Supervisors;
(3)
Serve a term of office for three years, except for the initial terms,
which should be two members for one year, two members for two years
and one member for three years;
(4)
Serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for expenses necessary
to conduct the responsibilities of the Commission when authorized
by the Board of Supervisors;
(5)
Elect annually a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Archivist,
and other officers as deemed necessary by the Commission.
B.
A vacancy of the Commission shall be filled by a resident appointed
by the Board of Supervisors for the unexpired term. The Commission
shall have the right to make recommendations for appointees to the
Board of Supervisors for unfulfilled terms and for full terms. The
Commission shall have the right to establish appropriate committees
to assist with research, to lend expertise, and to perform other duties
as assigned by the Commission. Each committee shall be chaired by
a member of the Historical Commission.
Monthly meetings and periodic executive sessions shall be held
to conduct the business of the Commission. The Commission shall keep
records of its meetings and activities, submitting monthly reports
to the Board of Supervisors.
In order to carry out its responsibilities, the Historical Commission
may, with the consent of the Board of Supervisors, utilize personnel
or other assistance made available by the county, the commonwealth,
or federal governments, or any of their agencies or from private sources.
The Board of Supervisors may enter into agreements or contracts regarding
the acceptance or utilization of the funds or assistance in accordance
with the Township procedures. The Easttown Township Historical Commission
shall submit a proposed budget to the Board of Supervisors during
the regular Township budget process.
