[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Franklin 12-29-1997 by Ord. No. 97-17. Amendments noted where applicable.]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
HISTORIC BUILDING, STRUCTURE, OBJECT, SITE or AREA
A district, area, object, structure, site and/or building significant in Franklin Township, County, state and/or national history, architecture, engineering, archeology or culture.
A. 
There is hereby established an Historic Preservation Commission to be appointed by the Mayor of the Township of Franklin. The Commission shall consist of five regular members, and one alternate member who shall serve without compensation and who shall be interested in and qualified to contribute to the preservation of historic buildings, sites, objects and structures.
[Amended 11-26-2001 by Ord. No. 2001-12]
B. 
At least one member shall be designated in Class A and Class B. Alternate members shall meet the qualifications of Class C members. At the time of appointment, alternate members shall be designated as Alternate 1 and Alternate 2. Of the regular members, at least one less than a majority shall be of Classes A and B.
C. 
The terms of the members first appointed under this act shall be so determined that to the greatest practicable extent the expiration of the terms shall be distributed in the case of regular members, evenly over the first four years after their appointment and, in the case of alternate members, evenly over the first two years after their appointment, provided that the initial term of no regular member shall exceed four years and that the initial term of no alternate member shall exceed two years. Thereafter, the term of a regular member shall be four years, and the term of an alternate member shall be two years. A vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be filled for the unexpired term only. Notwithstanding any other provision herein, the term of any member common to the Historic Preservation Commission and the Planning Board shall be for the term of membership on the Planning Board; and the term of any member common to the Historic Preservation Commission and the Board of Adjustment shall be for the term of membership on the Board of Adjustment.
D. 
The Historic Preservation Commission shall elect a Chairman and Vice Chairman from its members and select a Secretary, who may or may not be a member of the Historic Preservation Commission or a municipal employee.
E. 
No member of the Historic Preservation Commission shall be permitted to act on any matter in which he or she has, either directly or indirectly, any personal or financial interest.
F. 
A member of the Historic Preservation Commission may, after public hearing if he or she so requests, be removed by the governing body for cause.
The governing body shall make provision in its budget, if sufficient funds are available, for the expenses of the Historic Preservation Commission. Expenditures by the Historic Preservation Commission shall not exceed, exclusive of gifts or grants, the amount appropriated by the governing body for the commission's use.
The Historic Preservation Commission may undertake the following;
A. 
The preparation of a survey of historic sites of the Township.
B. 
Make recommendations to the Planning Board on the Historic Preservation Plan Element of the Master Plan and on the implications for preservation of historic sites of any Master Plan elements.
C. 
Advise the Planning Board on the inclusion of historic sites in the recommended capital improvement program.
D. 
Advise the Planning Board and Board of Adjustment on applications for development pursuant to § 21-5 of this chapter.
E. 
Carry out such other advisory, educational and informational functions as will promote historic preservation in the Township.
If historic zoning districts or historic sites are designated on the Zoning or Official Map of the Township of Franklin or identified in any component element of the Master Plan, then the Planning Board and Board of Adjustment shall refer applications which relate to the development in such districts or to such sites to the Historic Preservation Commission for review and comment. Referral shall be made when the application for development is deemed complete or is scheduled for a hearing, whichever is sooner. Failure to refer the application as set forth herein shall not invalidate any hearing or proceeding. The Historic Preservation Commission may provide its advice, which shall be conveyed through one of its members or staff who shall testify at the hearing on the application and shall also explain any written reports which might be prepared by the Historic Preservation Commission.