[Ord. 2001-4, 7/9/2001, § 101]
In order to recognize the significance of locating, naming and preserving historical resources within the boundaries of East Nottingham Township for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of the people, including future generations, this Part creates an Historic Commission.
[Ord. 2001-4, 7/9/2001, § 102]
East Nottingham Township, by and through its Board of Supervisors, hereby establishes the East Nottingham Township Historic Commission which shall be governed by the rules, regulations and duties hereinafter set forth. The Historic Commission shall fully cooperate with the Board of Supervisors and the Township officials in all matters of business.
[Ord. 2001-4, 7/9/2001, § 103; as amended by Ord. 2008-12, 3/10/2008, § 1]
1. 
The Historic Commission shall serve as an advisory and information gathering body for the purpose of identifying, collecting and preserving the historical resources in the Township. The specific duties of the Commission are listed below and in § 1-226, "Financial Operations."
A. 
Identify significant architectural and natural sites, which reflect the history of the Township. Research the history of the Township from the native Americans to the present day, including all cultural, agricultural, business, educational and religious endeavors. Notify owners in writing of identified significant sites and request permission to gather historical information about the site.
B. 
Collect significant data including, but not limited to, maps, pictures, written records, of identified sites. Prepare written documentation recording the history of the Township.
C. 
Preserve and file all collected data for current and future research use by the Township residents.
D. 
Create and maintain an awareness of the Township history for Township residents. Propose for approval by the Board of Supervisors, a system to mark historic sites, including purchase, installation and care of markers as well as associated costs thereof.
E. 
Act as an advisory resource for owners of historic sites who are involved in the preservation and/or restoration of their sites. This includes the following items:
(1) 
Advise owners regarding availability and application for technical and financial assistance from all appropriate local, county, state, federal and other agencies for the purpose of preservation and/or restoration.
(2) 
Advise owners regarding nomination to the National Register of Historic Places in accordance with the provisions of the Federal National Historical Preservation Act of 1996, as amended.
F. 
Cooperate with and enlist the assistance from the National Park Service, the National Historic Trust for Historic Preservation, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and other local, county, state and national historical societies, conservancies and other agencies, public and private concerned with historical and/or architectural preservation.
G. 
Advise the Board of Supervisors of contemplated activities and actions through reports, meeting minutes, and other documentation, which may be requested by the Board of Supervisors.
H. 
At the request of the Board of Supervisors, prepare reports or presentations which address matters of interest to the Township. These matters may include advisement on proposed zoning, subdivision or land development proposals; creation of historic district(s); buildings and building additions or alterations; and demolitions.
I. 
Perform all duties assigned to the Historic Commission that are set forth in the Historic Preservation Ordinance, Article XXV of the Zoning Ordinance of East Nottingham Township [Chapter 27, Part 25] and any amendments thereto. Such duties shall include but not be limited to preparation of a historic resources inventory, additions and deletions of historic resources to the Township's historic resources inventory, preparing reviews and conducting public meetings that are required by the provisions of the Historic Preservation Ordinance.
J. 
Perform additional duties that may be assigned by the Board of Supervisors.
[Ord. 2001-4, 7/9/2001, § 104; as amended by Ord. 2008-12, 3/10/2008, § 1]
The Historic Commission's duties shall be limited to those duties set forth in Article XXV, the Historic Preservation Ordinance of East Nottingham Township and any amendments thereto [Chapter 27, Part 25]; the duties set forth in the Historic Commission Ordinance, as amended, and additional duties specifically assigned by the Board of Supervisors.
[Ord. 2001-4, 7/9/2001, § 105; as amended by Ord. 2008-12, 3/10/2008, § 1]
1. 
The Historic Commission shall consist of five members, all of whom shall be residents of the Township, and a quorum that consist of three members.
A. 
The members shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors and shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Supervisors, unless removed by the Board of Supervisors.
B. 
Each member shall serve a term of office for five years, except for the initial term which shall be three members appointed for one year, three members appointed for two years, and three members appointed for three years.
(1) 
The Commission shall elect annually a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer. One person may fill the Secretary and Treasurer positions.
C. 
Each member shall serve without compensation but members may be reimbursed for expenses per § 1-226, "Financial Operations," below.
D. 
A vacancy on the Commission shall be filled by a Township resident appointed by the Board of Supervisors for the unexpired term. The Commission may make nonbinding recommendations for appointees to the Board of Supervisors for vacancies, as well as unfulfilled or full terms.
E. 
The Historic Commission shall have the right to establish appropriate committees as necessary to carry out their responsibilities. Members of committees may be nonresidents of the Township or residents of the Township who are not Historic Commission members. Committee members may be chosen for their expertise in a specific field. A member of the Historic Commission shall chair each committee.
F. 
The Historic Commission shall hold publicly advertised meetings on a monthly or other recurrent basis, as approved by the Board of Supervisors. The purpose of the meetings is to conduct the business of the Commission. The Historic Commission shall adopt rules and regulations for the conduct of its business.
G. 
The Historic Commission, may, with the consent of the Board of Supervisors, utilize any personnel or other assistance made available from the County, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or the federal government, or any of their agencies, or from any other private or public sources. The Board of Supervisors may enter into agreements or contracts regarding the acceptance or utilization of such personnel or other assistance as may be available.
[Ord. 2001-4, 7/9/2001, § 106]
1. 
Funding for Historic Commission activities may come from the Township or other outside sources.
A. 
The Historic Commission shall annually submit a plan of activities and a proposed budget to the Board of Supervisors during the regular Township budget process.
(1) 
Funds for the expenses to be incurred by the Historic Commission shall, at the sole discretion of the Board of Supervisors, be appropriated by the Board of Supervisors. Due to the advisory nature of the Historic Commission, the Township has no obligation to provide any substantial financial funds to it.
(2) 
The Historic Commission may expend monies for such administrative, clerical, printing and legal services as may from time to time be required, but its expenditure shall be limited to the amount of funds appropriated to it by the Board of Supervisors or otherwise obtained from other sources as provided in this section. All expenditures of the Historic Commission shall be subject to the approval of the Board of Supervisors.
(a) 
Any fees for legal or other professional services, which shall be proposed or actually incurred and which directly benefit a specific owner or owners of historical site(s), shall be paid with non-Township funds or by reimbursement from the owner(s). Prior to incurring the expense, the Historic Commission shall procure a written estimate of proposed fees; make this estimate available to the historical site owner(s); shall advise the owner(s) the current year reimbursement percentage figure available from non-Township funds; and shall request and receive the owner's written agreement to pay the unreimbursed costs and the owner's written permission to proceed with the service(s).
(b) 
The Historic Commission shall advise the Board of Supervisors, as part of the annual budget process, what percentage of professional fees which directly benefit a specific owner or owners of historical site(s), shall be reimbursed by non-Township funds for the upcoming fiscal year. This reimbursement percentage figure, used to calculate the reimbursement amount from non-Township funds, shall be used for each such historical site project investigated during the fiscal year. This reimbursement percentage figure shall not change during the fiscal year, unless authorized by the Board of Supervisors.
(c) 
A list of proposed expenses, including individual member expenses, shall be included as part of the annual budget process. The expense list shall include, but is not limited to, automobile mileage, other transportation expense, postage, copying and reproduction, office supplies, equipment and furniture, membership fees, subscriptions, legal and professional fees. As part of the budget approval process, the Board of Supervisors shall designate what, if any, portions of the proposed Historic Commission budget the Township will fund.
(3) 
Members may be reimbursed for expenses actually and necessarily incurred by them in the performance of their duties and in the conduct of Historic Commission business. Reimbursement shall be authorized by the Chairman of the Historic Commission and approved by the Board of Supervisors.
B. 
The Historic Commission may, with the consent of the Board of Supervisors, utilize any funds made available from the County, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or the federal government, or any of their agencies, or from any other private or public sources.
C. 
Accounting for the receipt of any funds and for the expenditure thereof shall be pursuant to such regulations as the Board of Supervisors may adopt.
D. 
Unless specifically authorized by the Board of Supervisors, the Historic Commission shall not establish any separate bank or other account for the deposit or accumulation of funds.
E. 
The Board of Supervisors may enter into agreements or contracts regarding the acceptance or utilization of such funds as may be available.
2. 
This Part shall become effective 10 days from enactment and upon appointment of at least three members to the Historic Commission by the Board of Supervisors.