A. 
An Historic District Commission, whose members shall be appointed by the Town Council, is hereby established.
B. 
The Commission shall consist of five members, who shall be residents of South Berwick. Appointments shall be made on the basis of demonstrated interest, ability, experience and desire to promote historic preservation in the Town within the meaning of § 84-1 of this chapter. As far as possible, the membership should include professionals in the disciplines of architecture, history, architectural history, planning archaeology, urban design or other related fields; a builder and at least two owners of historic landmarks, sites or of property within the historic district.
[Amended 9-14-2009]
C. 
Three members of the Commission shall be initially appointed to serve terms of three years; one shall be appointed to serve a term of two years; and the remaining members of the Commission shall be appointed to serve terms of one year. All appointments thereafter made shall be for terms of three years, except in those instances in which the appointment is made to fill a vacancy in an unexpired term, in which case the appointment shall be for the remainder of the unexpired term.
[Amended 9-14-2009]
D. 
Advisory members. The Town Council may appoint persons to serve in an advisory or consulting capacity on a temporary basis at the Council's pleasure.
E. 
The Commission shall elect a Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary annually from among its membership.
F. 
The Commission shall adopt bylaws or additional operating procedures consistent with the intent of this chapter and of the state enabling legislation and the Charter of the Town of South Berwick. Said bylaws shall be submitted to the Town Council for review.
G. 
The Commission may expend funds for the purposes of historic preservation in the Town of South Berwick, in accordance with the annual Town budget. Such expenditures may include salaries or other compensation for clerical and technical assistance or consultants if approved in the Town budget. The Commission may, with the approval of the Town Council, accept grants, donations or gifts of services and may hold or expend the same as approved by the Town Council.
The Commission shall have the following duties which shall be exercised in accordance with the South Berwick Charter and applicable provisions of the Maine Revised Statutes Annotated:
A. 
Make recommendations to the Town Council for establishing historic districts, historic sites or historic landmarks, according to procedures listed in §§ 84-6 and 84-7 of this chapter.
[Amended 8-26-1991]
B. 
Review all proposed additions, reconstruction, alteration, or construction of any property designated as an historic site or landmark or located within a designated historic district, and issue a certificate of appropriateness in accordance with the procedures outlined in §§ 84-8 and 84-9. Review all proposed demolitions or removals of any property located within the B1, B2, and BR Districts and any designated historic district, and issue a certificate of appropriateness in accordance with the procedures outlined in §§ 84-8 and 84-9.
[Amended 8-14-2000; 9-14-2009]
C. 
Review all proposed National Register nominations for properties within the Town's borders.
D. 
Serve in an advisory role to local government officials regarding local historical and cultural resources and act as a liaison between local government and those persons and organizations concerned with historic preservation.
E. 
Conduct or initiate a continuing survey of local historic and cultural resources, in accordance with Maine Historic Preservation Commission guidelines.
F. 
Work to provide continuing education on historic preservation issues to local citizens.