[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Harmony 5-7-1991 by Ord. No. 0:91-5 (Ch. 20 of the 1990 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
There is hereby established in the Township of Harmony an Historic Preservation Commission consisting of seven members, all of whom shall be appointed by the Township Committee, for the purpose of studying historic sites and landmarks, thereby aiding in the preservation of local cultural, historical and architectural heritages within Harmony Township. The historic sites and landmark designations shall be included in Harmony Township's Official Map and history and shall be referred to the Land Use Board for inclusion in the Master Plan.
The Historic Preservation Commission shall consist of seven members comprised of the following classes:
A. 
Class A: one person who is knowledgeable in building design and construction or architectural history and who may reside outside of the Township.
B. 
Class B: one person who is knowledgeable of or with a demonstrated interest in local history and who may reside outside of the Township.
C. 
Class C: five members who shall be citizens of the Township and who shall hold no other municipal office, position or employment except for membership on the Land Use Board.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
The initial terms of members first appointed shall be alternated such that terms may be from one to four years, with no appointment being for a term greater than four years, except that the term of any member common to the Historic Preservation Commission shall be for the term of membership on the Land Use Board. A vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of the term shall be filled for the unexpired term only. After the initial terms of membership expire, all the new terms shall be for a period of four years, except the terms of those members which coincide with membership of the Land Use Board.
Members shall serve without compensation.
The Historic Preservation Commission shall elect a Chairman and Vice Chairman from its members and select a secretary, who may or may not be a member of the Historic Preservation Commission or a municipal employee.
The Historic Preservation Commission may, within the limitations of appropriations made available to it in the municipal budget, employ, contract for and fix the compensation of experts and other staff and services as it shall deem necessary. The Commission shall obtain its legal counsel from the Township Attorney at the rate of compensation determined by the Township Committee. Expenditures shall not exceed, exclusive of gifts or grants, the amount appropriated by the Township Committee for the Commission's use.
The Historic Preservation Commission shall have all of the duties and responsibilities conferred by N.J.S.A. 40:55D-109.
The Land Use Board shall make available to the Historic Preservation Commission an informational copy of every application submitted to either Board for development on historic sites designated on the Zoning or Official Map or in any component element of the Master Plan. Failure to make the informational copy available shall not invalidate any hearing or proceeding. The Historic Preservation Commission may provide its advice, which shall be conveyed through its delegation of one of its members or staff to testify at any such hearing on the application and to explain any written report which may have been submitted.