Historical Commission RESOLUTION NO.

RESOLUTION NO._ #3-18-2008

RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF NOCKAMIXON TOWNSHIP, BUCKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, CREATING A HISTORICAL COMMISSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF SURVEYING THE TOWNSHIP TO IDENTIFY RESOURCES WHICH MAY BE OF HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE AND TO RECOMMEND TO THE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS COURSES OF ACTION FOR PRESERVING HISTORIC RESOURCES WITHIN THE TOWNSHIP

WHEREAS, the Nockamixon Township Board of Supervisors have been requested to create a Historical Commission for the purpose of surveying buildings, bridges, structures, walls, ruins, cemeteries, burial grounds, landscapes, viewscapes, natural features, properties, artifacts, byways, and other resources within the Township to determine their historical significance; and

WHEREAS, Article 27 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania declares: “The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania's public natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come. As trustee of these resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all the people.”

WHEREAS, under the general powers granted under Pennsylvania law, including the Second Class Township Code and the Municipalities Planning Code, the Township has the power to designate certain resources as historically significant; and

WHEREAS, the recognition and preservation of the community’s historic resources is vital to the general welfare of the Township and to the economic sustainability of the community; and

WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Township Board of Supervisors to create a commission to survey and study the buildings, bridges, structures, walls, ruins, cemeteries, burial grounds, landscapes, viewscapes, natural features, properties, artifacts, byways, and other resources within the Township to determine whether or not they have any historical significance and to recommend to the Board of Supervisors courses of action for preserving such historic resources within the Township.

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Nockamixon Township, County of Bucks, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as follows:

SECTION 1. Creation.

The Nockamixon Township Historical Commission is hereby created and shall continue to function unless and until otherwise resolved by the Board of Supervisors.

SECTION 2. Membership.

The Commission shall consist of seven (7) residents of the Township who shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors.
Except as stated in subsection C below concerning initial appointments, members of the Commission shall each serve a three (3) year term and all terms shall expire on the first Monday in January following the last year of their term of office.
Initial appointments shall be staggered so that the terms of two (2) members shall expire on the first Monday in January following the initial calendar year of appointment, the terms of two (2) members shall expire on the first Monday in January following the second calendar after the initial appointment, and the terms of three (3) members will expire on the first Monday in January following the third calendar year after the initial appointment.
Commission members shall receive no compensation for their services, but may be reimbursed for the expenses actually and necessarily incurred by them in the performance of their duties.

SECTION 3. Responsibilities.

The duties of the Commission shall include:

A. Inventory of Resources - The Commission shall survey and study buildings, bridges, structures, walls, ruins, cemeteries, burial grounds, landscapes, viewscapes, natural features, properties, artifacts, byways, and other resources within the Township to determine whether or not they have any historical significance. In making this determination the Commission shall be guided by the following broad considerations:

(1) Broad historical values representing the cultural, economic and social history of the Township;

(2) Identification of resources within the Township associated with historic personages;

(3) Identification of resources within the Township associated with historic events and/or time periods;

(4) Specimen architectural types representative of certain period, style or method of construction;

B. Study Preservation Options – The Commission shall study available courses of action for the Township and its residents to preserve historic resources within the Township.

C. Public Participation – The Commission shall solicit and consider the views and concerns of all interested members of the community and shall provide opportunities for broad public participation.

D. Seek Assistance – The Commission may, with the approval of the Board of Supervisors, seek technical and financial assistance from all appropriate local, county, state and federal officials and agencies and other bodies in order to carry out its responsibilities.

E. Advice – The Commission shall cooperate with and advise the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission and all Township officials and bodies in relation to the preservation and restoration of significant historical resources.

F. Reporting – The Commission shall prepare reports on its activities and findings for the Board of Supervisors and residents, including all reports referenced in Section 4, below.

G. Other Duties As Assigned – The Commission shall perform all other related duties as may be assigned by the Board of Supervisors.

SECTION 4. Record Keeping and Reporting.

(a) The Commission shall keep records of its meetings and activities.

(b) The Commission shall provide the Board of Supervisors monthly reports on its activities and findings.

(c) Upon completion of the inventory referenced in Section 3 A, above, and at such other times as the Board shall direct, the Commission shall submit a detailed written report to the Township which shall identify all resources which the Commission determines to have historical significance. The Commission shall give a detailed history of the background of each such resource for the review of the Board of Supervisors and residents of the Township.

(d) Upon completion of the study of preservation options referred to in Section 3B, above, the Commission shall furnish to the Board of Supervisors detailed recommendations as to courses of action for preserving historic resources within the Township.

(e) The Commission shall complete and file its report and recommendations within two (2) years from the date of its appointment, unless otherwise directed by the Board of Supervisors.

RESOLUTION adopted this 18 day of March, 2008.

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF NOCKAMIXON TOWNSHIP, BUCKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Nancy C. Janyszeski, Chair

James A. Litzenberger, Vice Chair

Henry J. Gawronski

Bruce G. Keyser

Albert M. Santopietro