The text
(a)
Establishment. There is hereby established an historic district commission to execute the declared purposes of this chapter.
(b)
Membership. Membership in the historic district commission shall be as follows:
(1)
The historic district commission shall consist of seven members who shall reside in the town, at least two and preferably three of whom shall be residents of or property owners in an historic district or designated structure of an historic or architectural value. Two auxiliary members of the historic district commission may be appointed in addition to regular members of the historic district commission, which auxiliary members shall sit as active members and participate in all discussion and business of the commission, provided that the first auxiliary member shall not vote on an application brought before the commission unless a regular member of the commission is unable to serve at any meeting of the historic district commission, and further provided that the second auxiliary member of the commission shall not vote on an application unless two regular members of the commission are unable to serve at any meeting. Appointment of the auxiliary members shall be made in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b)(3) of this section.
(2)
In making appointments to the historic district commission, the president of the town council, with the consent of the town council, should appoint at least three members who have some expertise in American or local history, architectural history, architecture, real estate, historic preservation, planning, historic building contracting, archeology or other areas of relevant expertise.
(3)
Appointment of members and length of terms shall be as follows:
a.
All members shall be appointed by the president of the town council with the consent of the town council. The terms of members shall be three years, except for initial appointments.
b.
Initial appointments of members shall be made by the president of the town council, with the consent of the town council, as follows:
1.
Two members for one year;
2.
Two members for two years;
3.
Three members for three years.
All subsequent three-year appointments shall be staggered.
c.
In the event of a vacancy before the expiration of a member's term, the president of the town council, with the consent of the town council, shall make an interim appointment to complete the unexpired term of the member, which appointment shall be made within 31 days of receiving written notice of such vacancy. Such appointment shall be made in accordance with subsection (b)(1) and (2) of this section.
d.
In making appointments to the historic district commission, the president of the town council may consult with any duly organized historic or preservation society within the town. Any such society shall also be given the opportunity to submit a list of qualified citizens for consideration by the president of the town council.
e.
Members shall serve without compensation.
(c)
Organization. Organization of the historic district commission shall be as follows:
(1)
The commission shall organize itself annually in the month corresponding to the month of the initial appointment of the first commission by electing from its membership:
a.
A chairperson;
b.
A vice-chairperson; and
c.
A secretary.
(2)
The commission shall adopt guidelines and rules of procedure necessary for its governance, which shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter, state law or the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Rehabilitation or similar law. Commission guidelines and rules of procedure will become part of this chapter after approval by the town council.
(Ord. No. 2003-14, 8-6-03; Ord. No. 2005-02, 2-2-05; Ord. No. 2015-13, 7-29-15; Ord. No. 2023-18, 9-13-23)