[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township
of Schuylkill 6-4-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-02. Amendments noted
where applicable.]
There is hereby established a commission to be known as the
"Schuylkill Township Historical Commission."
The Commission shall serve in an advisory capacity for historic
preservation information facilitation to the citizens of the Township.
To accomplish this purpose, the Commission shall:
A.
Identify significant architectural, historical, and natural sites
in Schuylkill Township and maintain a detailed inventory and map(s)
of these historic resources including informational data appropriately
classified;
B.
Create an awareness of the history of the Township from the native
Americans to the present day, including their cultural, agricultural,
business, educational, and religious endeavors;
C.
Research and record the history of Schuylkill Township and serve
as an advisory resource for owners of historic sites involved with
preservation and/or restoration;
D.
Prepare appropriate reports for the Board of Supervisors, as well
as reports which may be requested by the Board of Supervisors;
E.
Cooperate with and advise the Board of Supervisors, the Township
Planning Commission, and all Township officials and agencies in relation
to the preservation and restoration of significant historical structures,
sites, and features including the review of zoning and/or subdivision/land
development proposals and building/demolition permit applications
which have the potential to impact historical resources;
F.
Consider, promote, and with the approval of the Board of Supervisors,
apply for technical and financial assistance from all appropriate
local, county, state, federal, and other agencies in the preservation
of significant architectural, natural, and historic sites within Schuylkill
Township, and report all related action to the Board of Supervisors;
G.
Prepare and submit a yearly agenda and budget to the Board of Supervisors
for sums deemed necessary to carry out the objectives;
H.
In conjunction with and with the cooperation of the Board of Supervisors,
the Township Planning Commission, and other appropriate groups, study
the feasibility of creating historic districts in accordance with
and pursuant to the Act of the Legislature of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania dated June 13, 1961, P.L. 282, No. 167 entitled "Historic
Districts" and described as follows:[1]
|
"An Act authorizing counties, cities, boroughs, incorporated
towns and townships to create historic districts within their geographic
boundary; providing for the appointment of an Historical Architectural
Review Board; empowering governing bodies of political subdivisions
to protect the distinctive historical character of these districts
and to regulate the erection, reconstruction, alteration, restoration,
demolition or razing of buildings, within the historic district."
|
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 8001 et seq.
I.
Cooperate with and advise Township officials regarding the possible
acquisition and use of significant historic structures and sites,
including their research and nomination to the National Register of
Historic Places in accordance with the provisions of the National
Historical Preservation Act of 1966, as amended; and
J.
Perform
other related duties as may be delegated by the Board of Supervisors.
A.
Said Historical Commission shall:
(1)
Consist of nine members with two alternates who must be residents
of Schuylkill Township;
[Amended 12-3-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-08; 1-7-2013 by Ord. No.
2013-01; 2-6-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-01]
(2)
Be appointed by the Board of Supervisors;
(3)
Serve a term of office for three years, except for the initial term,
which should be three members for three years. Half of the remaining
members shall serve for two years and the remainder shall serve for
one year;
[Amended 8-4-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-03]
(4)
Serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for expenses necessary
to conduct the responsibilities of the Commission when authorized
by the Board of Supervisors;
(5)
Elect annually a chairperson, vice chairperson, secretary, and other
officers as deemed necessary by the Commission.
B.
The Board of Supervisors of Schuylkill Township may, after a duly
advertised public hearing, remove any member of the Commission from
office for inefficiency, neglect of duty, malfeasance in office or
conflict of interest.
C.
A vacancy on the Commission shall be filled by a resident appointed
by the Board of Supervisors for the unexpired term. The Commission
shall have the right to make recommendations for appointees to the
Board of Supervisors for unfulfilled terms and for full terms. The
Commission shall have the right to establish appropriate committees
to assist with research, to lend expertise, and to perform other duties
as assigned by the Commission. Each committee shall be chaired by
a member of the Historical Commission.
Monthly meetings and periodic executive sessions shall be held
to conduct the business of the Commission. The Commission shall make
and alter its rules of procedure consistent with the ordinances of
the Township and the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The
Commission shall keep records of its meetings and activities, submitting
periodic reports to the Board of Supervisors. The Commission shall
keep records of its resolutions, transactions, findings and determinations,
and such records shall be considered "public records" except when
contrary to the public interest as determined by the Board of Supervisors
pursuant to applicable statutes, ordinances or their rules and regulations.
A majority of the Commission shall constitute a quorum, and action
taken at any meeting shall require the affirmative vote of that majority.
In order to carry out its responsibilities, the Historic Commission
may, with the consent of the Board of Supervisors, utilize any funds,
personnel, or any other assistance made available by the county, the
commonwealth, or federal government, or any of their agencies, or
from private sources. The Board of Supervisors may enter into agreements
or contracts regarding the acceptance or utilization of the funds
or assistance in accordance with Township procedures.
