40:33B-4. County historical commission

a. The governing body of any county, by ordinance or resolution, as appropriate, may establish a county historical commission.

b. The commission shall consist of not fewer than five nor more than nine members appointed by the governing body. Members shall be residents of the county and shall be chosen with consideration of their qualifications by training or experience to discharge the duties and functions of the commission; and appointments shall be made with due consideration to maintaining a balance of community interests and of skills in the composition of the commission.

c. The governing body of a county shall designate one of the members to serve as chairman and presiding officer of the commission. The initial members of the commission shall be divided as nearly as possible into three equal groups, the members in each group to serve terms of one, two or three years, as designated by the governing body; succeeding appointments shall all be for three years. Each member shall serve for the term fixed pursuant to law, and until his successor is appointed and has qualified. Any vacancy occurring on the commission otherwise than by expiration of term shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment, but for the unexpired term only.

d. The governing body may remove any member of the commission for cause, on written charges served upon the member, and after a hearing thereon at which the member is entitled to be heard in person or by counsel.

e. Members of the commission shall serve without compensation, but shall be entitled to reimbursement for actual expenses necessarily incurred in the performance of their duties as members of the commission, within the limit of funds appropriated or otherwise available for that purpose.

L. 1987, c. 255, s. 4.