The HAC is authorized to continue in its advisory role to the
Mayor, Council, and the Planning Board as a standing committee of
the Somerville Borough government. Up to 10, two-year staggered Committee
appointments will be made by the Mayor with Council approval with
no limits on re-appointment. A member of HAC shall serve as Somerville's
municipal representative to the county's Cultural and Heritage Commission's
Municipal Advisory Committee. HAC is not a historic commission and
will has no independent fiscal or regulatory authority
Members shall be Somerville residents, Borough employees, or
Somerville business owners with interest in the preservation, and/or,
document, artifact conservation, heritage education, architecture,
heritage tourism, or who have enthusiasm for Somerville history. Formal
training or experience in library science, museum services, education,
archaeology, communication media, or preservation, or architecture
are welcome, but not necessary for membership.
HAC shall continue "to promote, protect, and preserve the historic
heritage, character, artifacts, and architecture of the Borough of
Somerville, and to encourage remembrance of historic events by the
Borough, to educate the public, and to advise the Mayor, Council,
Administration and the Planning Board on historic matters."
The scope of HAC activities shall include but not be limited
to:
A. Advice and
comment on all proposed interior and exterior work and structural
alterations to Somerville Borough Hall, the National Register site
known as "The Daniel Robert House," to ensure that the US Secretary
of Interior's standards are adhered to in managing the building as
required by the National Register.
B. Maintaining
and periodically updating the list of state and nationally recognized
properties in the Borough accessible on the website.
C. Maintaining
and periodically updating an inventory of plaques, monuments, and
public art in the Borough for insurance and replacement purposes on
behalf of the Borough Administration.
D. Maintaining
a list of all Borough Mayors with biographical sketches and Councilpersons
since 1909 for use by the Administrator, our public school system,
or the public on request.
E. Review and
make recommendations regarding the acceptance and retention of any
historic documents, photographs, artwork, or artifacts by the Borough
in the Somerville branch Library's New Jersey Room Archive, owned
by the Borough but managed in cooperation with the Somerset County
Library System.
F. Advise the
Mayor and Council when it is appropriate and desirable for the Borough
to apply for County, state, and federal funds to support preservation
projects in the Borough.
The current administrative policy requiring the HAC to review
any plans to dispose of any Borough property more than 50 years old
shall be continued by the Borough Administrator.