§ 131-3. Historic District Commission.

A. 

In accordance with the Historic Districts Act, MGL c. 40C, there is hereby established the Melrose Historic District Commission, which shall have all the powers and duties of a historic district commission under the General Laws.

B. 

All members and alternate members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by the City Council. The Commission shall consist of seven members, including one member, where possible, from two nominees submitted by the local historical societies; one member, where possible, from two nominees submitted by the Massachusetts chapter of the American Institute of Architects; one member, where possible, from two nominees submitted by the Boston Society of Landscape Architects; and one member, where possible, from two nominees submitted by the Eastern Middlesex Board of Realtors. The Commission shall also include a lawyer and one or more residents or owners or renters of property in the historic district to be administered by the Commission.

C. 

When the Commission is first established, two members shall be appointed for a term of one year, two shall be appointed for a term of two years and three shall be appointed for a term of three years, and their successors shall be appointed in a like manner for terms of three years. When the Commission is first established, one alternate member shall be appointed in like manner for a term of one year, one alternate member for a term of two years and one alternate member for a term of three years, and their successors shall be appointed in like manner for terms of three years. All vacancies shall be filled in like manner for the unexpired term.

D. 

All members of the Commission shall serve without compensation.

E. 

The Commission shall elect annually a Chair and Vice Chair from its own number and a Secretary from within or without its own number.

F. 

The Historic District Commission shall adopt rules and regulations for the conduct of its business not inconsistent with the provision of the Historic Districts Act. The Commission may, subject to appropriation, employ clerical and technical assistants or consultants and incur other expenses appropriate to the carrying on of its work and may accept money gifts and expend the same for such purposes.

G. 

Meetings of the Historic District Commission shall be held at the call of the Chair and shall be called at the request of two members of the Commission and in such other manner as the Commission shall determine in its rules. A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum. When taking action under the provisions of the fourth paragraph of Section 11 of the Historic Districts Act the Commission shall make its determination within 45 days after the filing of the application for a certificate of appropriateness or such further time as the applicant may, in writing, allow.

Editor's Note: See MGL c. 40C, § 11.