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(L Chapter 40.Section $ —Historical Commission
<br /> Text of section effective until April 2,2014.For text effective April 2,2014,see below.]
<br /> A city or town which accepts this section may establish an historical commission, hereinafter
<br /> called the commission, for the preservation,protection and development of the historical or
<br /> archeological assets of such city or town. Such commission shall conduct researches for places
<br /> of historic or archeological value, shall cooperate with the state archeologist in conducting such
<br /> researches or other surveys, and shall seep to coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies
<br /> organized for similar purposes, and may advertise,prepare,print and distribute boobs, maps,
<br /> charts,plaits and pamphlets which it deems necessary for its work. For the purpose of protecting
<br /> and preserving such places, it may male such recommendations as it deems necessary to the city
<br /> council or the selectmen and, subject to the approval of the city council or the selectmen, to the
<br /> Massachusetts historical commission, that any such place be certified as an historical or
<br /> archeological landmark. It shall report to the state archeologist the existence of any
<br /> archeological,paleontological or historical site or object discovered in accordance with section
<br /> twenty-seven C of chapter nine, and shall apply for permits necessary pursuant to said section
<br /> twenty-seven C. Any information received by a local historical commission with respect to the
<br /> location of sites and specimens, as defined in section twenty-six B of chapter nine, shall not be a
<br /> public record. The commission may hold hearings, may enter into contracts with individuals,
<br /> organizations and institutions for services furthering the objectives of the commission's program-,
<br /> may enter into contracts with local or regional associations for cooperative endeavors furthering
<br /> the commission's program.; may accept gifts, contributions and bequests of funds from
<br /> individuals, foundations and from federal, state or other governmental bodies for the purpose of
<br /> furthering the commission's program.; may male and sign any agreements and may do and
<br /> perform any and all acts which may be necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this
<br /> section. It shall beep accurate records of its meetings and actions and shall file an annual report
<br /> which shall be printed in the case of towns in the annual town report. The commission may
<br /> appoint such clerks and other employees as it may.iroan time to time require. The commission
<br /> Shall consist of not less than three nor more than seven members. In cities the members shall be
<br /> appointed by the mayor, subject to the provisions of the city charter, except that in cities having
<br /> a city manager form ofgovernment, said appointments shall be by the city manager, subject to
<br /> the provisions of the charter; and in towns they shall be appointed by the selectmen, excepting
<br /> towns having a town manager form, ofgovernment, in which towns appointments shall be made
<br /> by the town manager, subject to the approval of the selectmen. When a commission is.irst
<br /> established, the terms of the members shall be for one, two or three years, and so arranged that
<br /> the terms of approximately one third of the members will expire each year, and their successors
<br /> Shall be appointed for terms of three years each. Any member of a commission so appointed Holy,
<br /> after a public heaving if requested, be removed.for cause by the appointing authority. A vacancy
<br /> occurring otherwise than by expiration of a team,shall in a city or town bulled for the
<br /> unexpired team, in the same manner as an original appointment. Said commission may acquire in
<br /> the name of the city or town by gaff,purchase, gaunt, bequest, devise, lease or otherwise the fee
<br /> or lesser interest in veal or personal property ofsignificant historical value and may manage the
<br /> same.
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