[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Meeting of the Town of Dartmouth 6-9-1998, approved 8-30-1998; amended 6-7-2011, approved 9-15-2011 (§ 31.2
of the 2011 General By-Laws). Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Historic preservation — See Ch. 209.
There is hereby established an historic district commission
for the historic district, consisting of seven members appointed by
the Select Board, members of the historic district commission shall
be residents of the Town of Dartmouth, and the historic district commission
shall at all times, have at least one member who is a resident of,
or owner of property in the historic district to be administered by
the commission. Prior to making any appointment to the original membership
of the historic district commission, the Select Board shall submit
a written request for two nominees from each of the following organizations:
The Bristol County Historical Society, or, if it no longer exists,
the then existing local historical society; the chapter of the American
Institute of Architects covering the Town of Dartmouth; and the then
existing Board of Realtors covering the Town of Dartmouth. The Select
Board shall appoint to the original membership of the historic district
commission one of the two nominees selected by each of said organizations.
Thereafter, it shall, to the extent possible, appoint successors to
the historic district commission in the same manner as was used for
the original appointment of the position that the new appointee will
fill. However, if within 60 days after submission of its written request
for nominees to any of said organizations no such nominees have been
made, the Select Board may proceed to appoint the members of the historic
district commission without nominations by any such organization.
The Select Board shall appoint three alternate members to the historic
district commission, each of which shall be residents of the Town,
and need not be selected from nominees of an organization entitled
to nominate members. In making appointments of members to the historic
district commission, the Select Board shall attempt to insure that
a registered architect, a realtor and a lawyer are members thereof
at all times; and, in making appointments of members and alternate
members, the Select Board shall appoint individuals, who by virtue
of their training, occupation or experience, are particularly qualified
to further the intent and purposes of this By-Law.
Each member of the historic district commission shall be appointed
for a term of three years, except that when the historic district
commission is first established, two of its members shall be appointed
for a term of one year, two of its members shall be appointed for
a term of two years, and three of its members shall be appointed for
a term of three years. Similarly, each alternate member shall be appointed
for a term of three years, except that of the first group of alternate
members, one member shall be appointed for a term of one year, one
member shall be appointed for a term of two years, and the third member
shall be appointed for a term of three years. Vacancies shall be filled
in the same manner as the original appointment for the unexpired terms.
In case of the absence, inability to act or unwillingness to
act because of self interest on the part of a member of the historic
district commission, his or her place shall be taken by an alternate
member designated by the Chairperson of the historic district commission.
Each member and alternate member of the historic district commission
shall continue in office after the expiration of his or her term until
his or her successor is duly appointed and qualified. All members
and alternate members shall serve without compensation. The historic
district commission shall annually elect a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson
from its members, and a Secretary from within or without its membership.
