There is hereby established an Historic Preservation Commission in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40:55D-107 et seq. The Commission shall consist of seven (7) members and two (2) alternates appointed by the Mayor and shall include, in designating the category of appointment, at least one (1) member of each of the following classes:

Alternate members shall meet the qualifications of Class C members. At the time of appointment of all members of the Commission, the Mayor shall designate the regular members by class and the alternate members as "alternate number 1" and "alternate number 2."

The terms of the members first appointed under this section shall be so determined that to the greatest practical extent, the expiration of the terms shall be distributed, in a case of regular members, evenly over the first four (4) years after their appointment; in the case of alternative members, evenly over the first two (2) years after their appointment; provided that the initial terms of no regular member shall exceed four (4) years and the initial term of no alternate member shall exceed two (2) years. Thereafter, the term of a regular member shall be four (4) years; and the term of an alternative member shall be two (2) years.

For the purpose of conducting a public meeting, four (4) members shall constitute a quorum.

A vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of the term, shall be filled within sixty (60) days for the unexpired term only.

Notwithstanding any other provision herein, the term of any member common to the Historic Preservation Commission and the Planning Board shall be for the term of membership on the Planning Board; and the term of any member common to the Historic Preservation Commission and the Board of Adjustment shall be for the term of membership on the Board of Adjustment.

The Historic Preservation Commission shall elect a chairman and a vice chairman from its members and select a secretary who may or may not be a member of the Historic Preservation Commission or a municipal employee. The secretary shall take minutes of all meetings, which shall be available to the public. Alternate members may participate in discussions of the proceedings but may not vote, except in the absence or disqualification of a regular member. A vote shall not be delayed in order that a regular member may vote instead of an alternate member. In the event that a choice must be made as to which alternate member is to vote, alternate number 1 shall vote.

The Historic Preservation Commission shall establish written rules of procedure which shall be available to the public and which shall include an attendance rule for Commission members.

No member of any Historic Preservation Commission shall be permitted to act on any matter in which he or she has, either directly or indirectly, any personal or financial interest.

A member of the Historic Preservation Commission may, after public hearing, if he or she requests it, be removed by the Governing Body for cause.