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 Chairman, Vice Chairman,
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:
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.
