ORDINANCE NO. 118
AN ORDINANCE OF KENNETT TOWNSHIP, CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, CREATING
A HISTORICAL COMMISSION IN ORDER TO: LOCATE, NAME, AND PRESERVE FOR POSTERITY
SIGNIFICANT ARCHITECTURAL, NATURAL, AND OTHER HISTORIC SITES WITHIN THE
BOUNDARIES OF KENNETT TOWNSHIP; PROVIDE FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE
COMMISSION; ESTABLISH THE ORGANIZATION AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF SAID COMMISSION;
AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS TO SAID COMMISSION.
Section 1.
Creation
There is hereby
established a Commission to be known as the Kennett Township Historical
Commission.
Section 2.
Responsibilities
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
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 Kennett Township and serve as advisory
source 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
natural features including the review of zoning and/or subdivision/land
development proposals and building/demolition permit applications which have the
potential to impact on 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 Kennett Township, and to report all related action to the
Board of Supervisors;
g.
prepare and submit a
yearly budget to the Board of Supervisors for sums deemed necessary to carry out
objectives;
h.
in conjunction with
and 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;”
i.
cooperate with all
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 Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended; and
j.
perform other
related duties as may be delegated by the Board of
Supervisors.
Section 3.
Membership.
The said Historical
Commission shall:
a.
consist of a minimum
of five members and up to, but not exceeding, nine members, a majority of whom
must be residents of
b.
be appointed by the
Board of Supervisors;
c.
serve a term of
office for five years except for the initial term which should be three members
for one year, three members for three years, and three members for five years;
d.
serve without
compensation but may be reimbursed for expenses necessary to conduct the
responsibility of the Commission when authorized by the Board of Supervisors;
e.
elect annually a
Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, and other officers as deemed necessary
by the Commission.
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 one member liaison with the
Planning Commission, one member
rotated monthly to report to the Board of Supervisors and be chaired by a member
of the Historical Commission.
Section 4.
Meetings.
Monthly meetings and
periodic executive sessions shall be held to conduct the business of the
Commission. The Commission shall
keep records of its meetings and activities, submitting periodic reports to the
Board of Supervisors.
Section 5.
Assistance and Budget.
In order to carry
out its responsibilities, the Historical Commission may, with the consent of the
Board of Supervisors, utilize any funds, personnel, or 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. The Kennett
Township Historical Commission shall submit a proposed budget to the Board of
Supervisors during the regular Township budget process.
ENACTED AND ORDAINED
this day of
1998.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Attest:
Secretary-Treasurer
Charles G. Shoemaker
James C. Henderson