[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Lower Gwynedd 7-26-2022 by Ord. No. 532. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The Lower Gwynedd Township Historical Advisory Committee (hereinafter "Committee") is hereby created, having the powers and operating procedures set forth in this chapter. The Committee shall continue in existence until such time as this chapter is amended or revoked. The Committee is to be advisory only and shall coordinate its activities with the Township Manager, the Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission and such other Township staff and officials as shall be deemed advisable by the Board of Supervisors.
A. 
The Committee shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Township Board of Supervisors and shall have such responsibilities as may be assigned by this chapter or as may be assigned from time to time by the Board of Supervisors;
B. 
Review and make recommendation concerning existing and proposed historical preservation ordinances;
C. 
Create or enhance a media database of historic properties in the Township;
D. 
Publicly feature and highlight historical properties in the Township and highlight the need to promote a balance historic preservation and modern living;
E. 
Educate the public and highlight historic neighborhoods;
F. 
Identify historic properties for acquisition and/or registration;
G. 
Identify historical resources and recommend plans and programs to the Township for the promotion and preservation and conservation of historical resources;
H. 
The Committee may, from time to time, make recommendations as to the possible use of historic properties owned or maintained by the Township;
I. 
To evaluate and make recommendations about where historical markers should be established;
J. 
To review development and construction projects of historical significance;
K. 
To provide input on potential historic districts;
L. 
To work with other municipal or nonprofit historic preservation committees regarding topics of common interest; and
M. 
The Committee may be tasked to perform such other duties and responsibilities as may be authorized by the Board of Supervisors.
A. 
The Committee shall be composed of at least five, but no more than seven, residents of the Township who shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors. Any vacancies in the membership of the Committee shall be filled by the Board of Supervisors.
B. 
Duly appointed Committee members shall serve for a term of three years, except that the initial appointments to the Committee shall be so staggered that the terms of approximately 1/3 of the membership shall expire each year, the terms of their successors to be three years each. Committee members' terms of office shall expire on the first Monday in January following the last year of their term of office. The terms of the initial Committee appointments may vary, so that the Committee may achieve the staggered terms as required. Committee members shall be eligible for reappointment by the Board of Supervisors. At-large vacancies on the Committee shall be filled by appointment of the Board of Supervisors.
C. 
The Committee shall elect its own Chairperson and such other officers having specific responsibilities as are determined necessary to effectively carry out the authority granted under this chapter.
D. 
Members may be removed by the Board of Supervisors in its discretion, with or without the recommendation of a majority of the other Committee members, for malfeasance or other neglect in the performance of their duties.
A. 
The first Committee meeting of the year shall be an organizational meeting, at which meeting the Committee shall elect its officers.
B. 
Annually the membership of the Committee shall elect a chair and vice chair from among the Committee members. Officers' terms shall be for one year, with eligibility for reelection. However, a Committee member shall not serve more than three consecutive years in any one position.
C. 
An affirmative vote of a majority of the Committee members constituting a quorum shall be necessary in order to take official action. A tie vote shall not be considered an affirmative vote.
D. 
The Committee shall, by majority vote of the entire membership, adopt rules of procedure for the transaction of business and shall keep a written record of meetings, resolutions, findings and determinations. Copies of all Committee minutes, resolutions, reports, and exhibits shall be submitted to the Board of Supervisors. All meetings shall be open to the public and shall be subject to the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § § 701-716.
Members of the Committee shall receive no compensation for their services, but may be reimbursed for the expenses actually and necessarily incurred by them in the performance of their duties. Expense reimbursements shall require the prior approval of the Township Manager.
The Committee shall keep regular minutes of their meetings and may, upon request, submit an annual report of its activities to the Township.