(A) (1) The Mayor and Town Council hereby create a commission to be called the Historic District Commission. The Commission shall have a membership of seven persons. Each member shall possess a demonstrated special interest, specific knowledge, or professional or academic training in such fields as history, architecture, architectural history, planning, archeology, anthropology, curation, conservation, landscape architecture, historic preservation, urban design, or related disciplines and agree to serve on this Commission, and shall be a resident of the town. The requirement for Commission membership under the category of demonstrated special interest may be satisfied either by formal training in one or more of the fields listed above or two years professional experience in the above named fields. The requirement for membership under the category of specific knowledge may be satisfied by formal post-secondary education, employment, or practical experience in one or more of the above-listed fields. The Mayor appoints, and the appointments must be confirmed by a majority of the Council. The members shall be appointed for terms of three years each and staggered. Members of the Commission are eligible for reappointment. Any vacancy on the Commission shall be filled by the appointing authority for the unexpired term of the particular position. Subject to any requirements of a county or municipal corporation governing the acceptance and use of gifts by public officials, the Commission shall have the right to accept and use gifts for the exercise of its functions.
(2) At least two members of the Commission shall have professional or academic training in one or more of the above-listed fields in accordance with the minimum professional requirements of the United States Department of the Interior for certifying local governments under 36 C.F.R. part 61.
(B) The State Historical Trust may be designated by the Commission to make an analysis of and recommendation concerning the preservation of sites, structures, or districts of historic, archeological, and architectural or cultural significance within the area served by the Commission. The report may include proposed boundaries of sites, structures, or districts, as well as make recommendations for the identification and designation of particular sites, structures, or districts to be preserved.
(Ord. 4-83, passed 11-9-1983; Ord. 7-95, passed 2-22-1996)