In 1979 the New Jersey State Legislature enacted the Local Historians Enabling Act (P.L. 1979, c.50), N.J.S.A. 40:10A-7, which permits counties and municipalities to establish the position of Local Historian. The Village of Ridgewood has a long and detailed history in Bergen County with which the designation of a Village Historian will assist the Village to preserve, celebrate and enhance. This chapter will identify the formal appointment of a Village Historian and establish timely review and appreciation for the position in the Village.
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Village Council of the Village of Ridgewood 1-17-2024 by Ord. No. 3979. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The Village Council of the Village of Ridgewood shall appoint the position of Village Historian to take office on January 1, 2024, and every fifth year thereafter in accordance with this chapter. The individual who holds the position as the Local History Librarian, Bolger Heritage Center, in the Ridgewood Public Library may be appointed by the Village Council as the Village Historian. If the Local History Librarian is the appointed Village Historian and there is a transition in the position of the Local History Librarian within the five-year term after the last appointment, the Council shall be permitted to reconvene and by resolution be permitted to appoint a new Village Historian who may be the newly employed Local History Librarian. This new appointment when made shall continue for a five-year period as if it began on January 1 in the year of the appointment.
Consistent with N.J.S.A. 40:10A-7, the Village Historian shall have the following powers and responsibilities, except as otherwise provided in this chapter:
A.
The Village Historian shall carry out an historical program, including but not restricted to collecting, preserving and making available materials relating to the history of the Village. The Village Historian shall store such materials in such manner as to insure their preservation, and shall notify the State Archivist, New Jersey Historical Commission, County Historian and the Village Council of any materials that should be acquired for preservation. Upon leaving the position, the Village Historian shall turn over all materials and records and reports to the possession of the Ridgewood Public Library and the successor Village Historian, if then appointed, or to the Director of the Ridgewood Public Library until a successor shall be appointed;
B.
The Village Historian may prepare an annual report to the Village Manager and Village Council stating all the work performed and accomplished during that year. The Village Historian shall transmit a copy of such report to the New Jersey Historical Commission, which thereafter may advise each County Historian and the Village Historian of general guidelines along which their historical program may be implemented;
C.
The Village Historian may research, write and cause to have published or supplement earlier publication, articles, books or other writings pertaining to the Village's history and may recommend appropriate historical materials for publication;
D.
The Village Historian may assist a landmark commission, as well as advise the Village Council, concerning the acquisition, administration, use and disposition of any landmark, or historic site, including such places in his/her jurisdiction included on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places. Such advice may be furnished to the Historic Sites Section, Department of Environmental Protection;
E.
The Village Historian shall assist as directed by the Village Council in projects of commemoration, including the erection of monuments, historic markers and guide signs;
F.
The Village Historian may assist in the preparation of grant applications for financial assistance available to historical agencies and may assist the Village Manager and Village Council for the appropriation of public funds by the Village for historical programs.