Part C—Powers and Duties of Preservation Commission

§410cc–31. Lowell Historic Preservation Commission

(a) Establishment and administrative role; composition of membership

There is established within the Department of the Interior a commission to be known as the Lowell Historic Preservation Commission which shall administer the preservation district and provide certain services within the park in accordance with this part. The Commission shall consist of fifteen members appointed by the Secretary as follows:

(1) Three members who are members of the city council of Lowell, appointed from recommendations made by the mayor of Lowell.

(2) Three members appointed from recommendations made by the city manager of Lowell of persons who are representative of organized labor, the business community, local neighborhoods, and cultural institutions, and who are not elected officials.

(3) One member appointed from recommendations made by the president of the University of Lowell.

(4) Three members appointed from recommendations made by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

(5) One member appointed from recommendations made by the Secretary of Commerce and who shall be an employee of the Department of Commerce.

(6) One member appointed from recommendations made by the Secretary of Transportation and who shall be an employee of the Department of Transportation.

(7) One member appointed from recommendations made by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and who shall be an employee of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

(8) Two members who are qualified to serve on the Commission because of their familiarity with programs of the Department of the Interior involving national parks and historic preservation and who shall be an employee of the Department of the Interior.

(b) Continuation of status as appointed member for member leaving government office or becoming elected official of government; duration

If any member of the Commission who was appointed to the Commission under paragraph (1) or (4) of subsection (a) of this section as a member of the city council of Lowell or any other government leaves that office, or if any member of the Commission who was appointed from persons who are not elected officials of any government becomes an elected official of a government, such person may continue as a member of the Commission for not longer than the thirty-day period beginning on the date such person leaves that office or becomes such an elected official, as the case may be.

(c) Terms of office and reappointment of members

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, members shall be appointed for terms of two years. A member may be reappointed only three times unless such member was originally appointed to fill a vacancy pursuant to subsection (e)(1) of this section, in which case such member may be reappointed four times.

(2) Of the members first appointed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the following shall be appointed for terms of three years:

(A) The members appointed pursuant to paragraphs (2), (3), and (8) of such subsection.

(B) One of the members appointed pursuant to paragraph (4) of such subsection, as designated by the Secretary at the time of appointment upon recommendation of the Governor.

(d) Chairman; election by members; term of office

The chairman of the Commission shall be elected by the members of the Commission. The term of the chairman shall be two years.

(e) Vacancies; appointment and term of office; service after expiration of term

(1) Any vacancy in the Commission shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made.

(2) Any member appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the term for which his predecessor was appointed. Any member may serve after the expiration of his term until his successor is appointed.

(f) Quorum and holding of hearings

Eight members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may hold hearings.

(g) Meetings

The Commission shall meet at least once each month, at the call of the chairman or a majority of its members.

(h) Compensation; travel expenses and per diem

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, members of the Commission shall each be entitled to receive $100 for each day (including travel time) during which they are engaged in the performance of the duties of the Commission.

(2) Members of the Commission who are full-time officers or employees of the United States, the city of Lowell, or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall receive no additional pay on account of their service on the Commission.

(3) While away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the Commission, members of the Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in the same manner as persons employed intermittently in the Government service are allowed expenses under section 5703 of title 5.

(i) Termination

The Commission established pursuant to this subchapter shall cease to exist seventeen years from June 5, 1978.

(Pub. L. 95–290, title III, §301, June 5, 1978, 92 Stat. 295; Pub. L. 100–134, §1(2), (3), Oct. 16, 1987, 101 Stat. 810.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1987—Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 100–134, §1(2), substituted "until his successor is appointed" for "for a period not longer than thirty days".

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 100–134, §1(3), substituted "seventeen" for "ten".

§410cc–32. Park preservation plan and index

(a) Submission by Commission and approval or disapproval by Secretary of draft and final plans; procedures applicable; revisions in approved plan

(1) Within one year after the date on which the Commission conducts its first meeting, the Commission shall submit to the Secretary a draft park preservation plan meeting the requirements of subsection (c) of this section. The Secretary shall review the draft park preservation plan and, within ninety days after the date on which such plan is submitted to the Secretary, suggest appropriate changes in such plan to the Commission.

(2) Within eighteen months after the date on which the Commission conducts its first meeting, the Commission shall submit to the Secretary a park preservation plan which meets the requirements of subsection (c) of this section. The Secretary shall, within ninety days after the date on which such plan is submitted to the Secretary, approve or disapprove such plan. The Secretary may not approve such plan unless the Secretary determines that such plan would adequately carry out the purpose of this subchapter.

(3) If the Secretary disapproves a park preservation plan, the Secretary shall advise the Commission of the reasons for such disapproval together with the recommendations of the Secretary for revision of such plan. Within such period as the Secretary may designate, the Commission shall submit a revised park preservation plan to the Secretary. The Secretary shall approve or disapprove any revised park preservation plan in the same manner as required in paragraph (2) of this subsection for the approval or disapproval of the original park preservation plan.

(4) If the Secretary approves a park preservation plan, the Secretary shall publish notice of such approval in the Federal Register and shall forward copies of the approved plan to the Congress.

(5) Any park preservation plan or draft plan submitted to the Secretary under this subsection shall, upon request, be available to the public.

(6) No changes other than minor revisions may be made in the approved park preservation plan without the approval of the Secretary. The Secretary shall approve or disapprove any proposed change in the approved park preservation plan, except minor revisions in the same manner as required in paragraph (2) of this subsection for the approval or disapproval of the original park preservation plan.

(b) Funding availability and requirements for plan implementation, activities, etc.

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Secretary shall not make any funds available to the Commission to carry out section 410cc–33 or 410cc–34 of this title until a park preservation plan has been approved under subsection (a) of this section.

(2) Before a park preservation plan is approved under subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary may make available to the Commission such funds as the Commission may request to carry out any activity specified in paragraph (3) of this section. However, no funds shall be made available under this paragraph unless a proposal describing such activity is reviewed and approved by the Secretary.

(3) The Commission may request funds from the Secretary to—

(A) carry out activities to preserve, restore, manage, develop, or maintain any property identified in subsection (c)(1) of this section;

(B) take any action the Commission considers necessary to provide owners of property with national historical or cultural significance within the park or preservation district with emergency assistance for the purpose of preserving and protecting their property in a manner consistent with the purpose of this subchapter; or

(C) acquire in accordance with section 410cc–34 of this title, any property within the park which—

(i) is identified in the report of the Lowell Historic Canal District Commission as a property which should be preserved, restored, managed, developed, or maintained in a manner consistent with the purpose of this subchapter;

(ii) is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, as maintained by the Secretary pursuant to chapter 3021 and section 320102(c) of title 54; or

(iii) is determined by the Secretary to be of national significance;

and would be subject to demolition or major alteration in a manner inconsistent with the purpose of this subchapter unless acquired by the Commission.

(c) Requirements for plan

Any plan submitted to the Secretary under subsection (a) of this section shall—

(1) describe the manner in which the Commission, to the extent practicable in accordance with the recommendations in the report of the Lowell Historic Canal District Commission, proposes to provide for the preservation, restoration, management, development, or maintenance of—

(A) the Welles Block, 169 Merrimack Street;

(B) the Jordan Marsh Company Building, 153 Merrimack Street and 15 Kirk Street;

(C) the Yorick Club, 91 Dutton Street;

(D) the Lowell Gas Light Company, 22 Shattuck Street;

(E) St. Anne's Church and Rectory, 237 Merrimack Street;

(F) Lowell Institution for Savings, 18 Shattuck Street;

(G) the Ahepa Building, 31 Kirk Street;

(H) Boott Mill, Foot of John Street;

(I) Lowell Manufacturing Company on Market Street; and

(J) the structure commonly referred to as the Early Residence, 45, 47, and 49 Kirk Street;

(2) identify the properties included in the index established pursuant to subsection (d) of this section;

(3) identify the properties which the Commission intends to acquire under section 410cc–34 of this title and specify how such properties shall be used;

(4) include the standards and criteria established pursuant to subsection (e) of this section;

(5) provide a detailed description of the manner in which the Commission intends to implement the grant and loan programs under section 410cc–33 of this title, including information relating to the estimated amount of such grants and the manner in which such grants shall be awarded by the Commission;

(6) provide for a transportation program by which the Commission shall provide, directly or by agreement with any person or any public or private entity, transportation services and facilities for park and preservation district visitors, including barge equipment, docking facilities, and local rail facilities;

(7) provide for educational and cultural programs to encourage appreciation of the resources of the park and preservation district; and

(8) include a tentative budget for the subsequent five fiscal years.

(d) Establishment and contents of index; modification of index

The Commission shall establish, within one year after the date on which the Commission conducts its first meeting, an index which includes—

(1) any property in the park or preservation district (except for any property identified in section 410cc–21(a)(2) of this title) which should be preserved, restored, managed, developed, maintained, or acquired by the Commission because of its national historic or cultural significance; and

(2) any property which should be preserved, restored, managed, developed, or maintained in a manner compatible with the purpose of this subchapter because of its proximity to (A) any property referred to in paragraph (1) of this subsection, or (B) any property designated in section 410cc–21(a)(2) of this title.

The index may be modified only by a majority vote of the members of the Commission, taken when a quorum is present.

(e) Standards and criteria for construction, preservation, etc., of properties within preservation district and park; authorization; establishment; revisions; publication in Federal Register

(1) The Commission shall establish standards and criteria applicable to the construction, preservation, restoration, alteration, and use of all properties within the preservation district with the advice of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and of the Secretary, and the consent of the city manager of Lowell.

(2) The Commission shall establish the standards and criteria described in paragraph (1) of this subsection for any property within the park with the advice of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the city manager of Lowell and subject to the review and approval of the Secretary.

(3) The Commission shall establish standards and criteria under paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection within one year after the date on which the Commission conducts its first meeting. Such standards and criteria may be revised in the same manner in which they were originally established.

(4) The Secretary shall publish the standards and criteria established under paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection, and any revisions thereof, in the Federal Register.

(Pub. L. 95–290, title III, §302, June 5, 1978, 92 Stat. 297.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

In subsec. (b)(3)(C)(ii), "chapter 3021 and section 320102(c) of title 54" substituted for "section 101(a) of the Act entitled 'An Act to establish a program for the preservation of additional historic properties throughout the Nation, and for other purposes', approved October 15, 1966 (16 U.S.C. 470a), and section 2(b) of the Act entitled 'An Act to provide for the preservation of historic American sites, buildings, objects, and antiquities of national significance, and for other purposes', approved August 21, 1935 (16 U.S.C. 462)" on authority of Pub. L. 113–287, §6(e), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3272, which Act enacted Title 54, National Park Service and Related Programs.

§410cc–33. Financial and technical assistance

(a) Loans to Lowell Development and Financial Corporation for loans for preservation, etc., of property; terms of loan agreement with corporation; determination of compliance by corporation with requirements for loans; repayment by corporation

The Commission may make loans to the Lowell Development and Financial Corporation (established under chapter 844 of the Massachusetts General Laws and hereinafter referred to as the "corporation") to enable the corporation to provide low interest loans for the preservation, restoration, or development of any property described in section 410cc–32(d)(1) of this title. The Commission may make any such loan to the corporation only after entering into a loan agreement with the corporation which includes the following terms:

(1) The loan to the corporation shall have a maturity of thirty-five years. At the end of such period, the corporation shall repay to the Secretary of the Treasury (in a lump sum) for deposit in the general fund of the Treasury the full amount of the loan and any additional amounts accruing to the corporation pursuant to this subsection excepting those amounts expended by the corporation for reasonable administrative expenses.

(2) The money received from the Commission, and any interest earned on such money, may be obligated by the corporation only for low interest loans made under paragraphs (6) and (7) of this subsection, except that the corporation may use such money to the extent the Commission considers reasonable to satisfy the costs of the corporation in administering the loan or procuring loan guarantees or insurance.

(3) Within five years after receiving the loan from the Commission, the corporation shall make loans under paragraphs (6) and (7) of this subsection which, in the aggregate, obligate the full amount of money received from the Commission (minus any amount required to satisfy the costs described in paragraph (2) of this subsection).

(4) As loans made under paragraphs (6) and (7) of this subsection are repaid, the corporation shall make additional loans under such paragraphs with the money made available for obligation by such repayments.

(5) The corporation shall make available to the Commission and to the Secretary, upon request, all accounts, financial records, and other information related to loans made under paragraphs (6) and (7) of this subsection.

(6) Before the corporation approves any application for a low interest loan for which money has been made available to the corporation by the Commission, the corporation shall require the prospective borrower to furnish the corporation with a statement from the Commission stating that the Commission has reviewed the application and has determined that any loan received by the prospective borrower will be spent in a manner consistent with—

(A) the standards and criteria established pursuant to section 410cc–32(e) of this title, and

(B) the goals of the park preservation plan approved under section 410cc–32(a) of this title.

(7) The corporation may approve any application for a low interest loan which meets the terms and conditions prescribed by the corporation with the approval of the Commission and for which money has been made available to the corporation by the Commission if—

(A) the prospective borrower furnishes the corporation with the statement described in paragraph (6) of this subsection;

(B) the corporation determines that such borrower has sufficient financial resources to repay the loan; and

(C) such borrower satisfies any other applicable credit criteria established by the corporation.

In order to determine whether the corporation has complied with this subsection, the Commission, or such other appropriate person or entity as the Commission may designate, shall conduct an audit at least once every two years of all accounts, financial records, and other information related to loans made under paragraphs (6) and (7) of this subsection. If the Commission determines, after conducting a hearing on the record, that the corporation has substantially failed to comply with this subsection, the outstanding balance of any loan made to the corporation under this subsection shall become payable in full upon the demand of the Commission.

(b) Grants to property owners for preservation, etc., of property; grants to persons or public or private entities for educational and cultural programs or for necessary services; terms of grant agreements; recovery of amounts for inconsistent uses

(1) The Commission may make grants to owners of property described in section 410cc–32(d)(1) of this title for the preservation, restoration, management, development, or maintenance of such property in a manner consistent with the standards and criteria established pursuant to section 410cc–32(e) of this title.

(2) The Commission, with the approval of the Secretary, may make grants to any person or any public or private entity to provide for (i) educational and cultural programs which encourage appreciation of the resources of the park and preservation district, or (ii) any planning, transportation, maintenance, or other services the Commission considers necessary to carry out the purposes of this subchapter.

(3) Grants under this subsection shall be made under agreements which specify the amount of the grant, the installments (if any) by which the grant shall be paid to the grant recipient, the purpose for which the grant may be used, and any other condition the Commission considers appropriate. The Commission shall be entitled, under the terms of any grant agreement, to recover from the recipient any funds used in a manner inconsistent with such grant agreement.

(c) Technical assistance to property owners, etc.

The Commission with the advice of the Secretary may provide technical assistance to—

(1) owners of property within the park or preservation district to assist such owners in (A) making repairs to or improvements in any property included in the index established pursuant to section 410cc–32(d) of this title, or (B) applying for loans under subsection (a) of this section; and

(2) any other person or public or private entity to assist such person or entity in taking actions consistent with the purpose of this subchapter.

(d) Availability to Secretary of all accounts, financial records, and other information relating to loans and grants

The Commission shall make available to the Secretary, upon request, all accounts, financial records, and other information of the Commission relating to grants and loans made under this section.

(Pub. L. 95–290, title III, §303, June 5, 1978, 92 Stat. 300.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Subsec. (e) of this section, which required the Secretary to make an annual report to Congress describing the loans, grants, and technical assistance provided under this section and under section 410cc–23 of this title, terminated, effective May 15, 2000, pursuant to section 3003 of Pub. L. 104–66, as amended, set out as a note under section 1113 of Title 31, Money and Finance. See, also, page 108 of House Document No. 103–7.

§410cc–34. Acquisition and disposition of property

(a) Acquisition of specified property; manner of acquisition

(1) The Commission may acquire any property designated in paragraph (3) of this subsection, any property described in section 410cc–32(d)(1) of this title, or any interest therein, by donation, by purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or by condemnation in accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection.

(2) Only properties within the park or property designated in paragraph (3) of this subsection may be acquired by the Commission by condemnation. The Commission may initiate condemnation proceedings only after making every reasonable effort to acquire any such property through negotiations and purchase and consulting with the city council of Lowell. No lands or interests therein may be acquired by the Commission by condemnation without the approval of the Secretary.

(3) The Commission may acquire in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection the following properties, or any interest therein:

(A) World Furniture Building, 125 Central Street; and

(B) The Martin Building, 102–122 Central Street.

(b) Sale or lease of specified property; conditions

The Commission, with the approval of the Secretary, may sell or lease any property which it acquires under subsection (a) of this section subject to such deed restrictions or other conditions as the Commission deems appropriate to carry out the purpose of this subchapter.

(c) Agreement for disposal of specified property to Commonwealth of Massachusetts; purposes of transfers

Pursuant to a written agreement between the Commission and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Commission, with the approval of the Secretary, may sell, donate, lease, or in any other manner the Commission and the Secretary deem appropriate make available to the Commonwealth any property which the Commission has acquired under subsection (a) of this section in order to provide for the administration or maintenance of such property by the Commonwealth in a manner consistent with the purpose of this subchapter.

(Pub. L. 95–290, title III, §304, June 5, 1978, 92 Stat. 302.)

§410cc–35. Powers of Commission

(a) Conduct of hearings, etc.

The Commission may for the purpose of carrying out this subchapter hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such evidence, as the Commission may deem advisable. The Commission may administer oaths or affirmations to witnesses appearing before it.

(b) Authorization of action by member or agent

When so authorized by the Commission, any member or agent of the Commission may take any action which the Commission is authorized to take by this section.

(c) Receipt of necessary information from other Federal departments or agencies; information furnished upon request by chairman

Subject to section 552a of title 5, the Commission may secure directly from any department or agency of the United States information necessary to enable it to carry out this subchapter. Upon request of the chairman of the Commission, the head of such department or agency shall furnish such information to the Commission.

(d) Authorization to seek and accept donations of funds, property, or services

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Commission may seek and accept donations of funds, property, or services from individuals, foundations, corporations, and other private entities, and from public entities, for the purpose of carrying out its duties.

(e) Use of funds for obtaining additional moneys

The Commission may use its funds to obtain money from any source under any program or law requiring the recipient of such money to make a contribution in order to receive such money.

(f) Use of mails

The Commission may use the United States mails in the same manner and upon the same conditions as other departments and agencies of the United States.

(g) Purchase, rental, donation, etc., of property, facilities, and services; manner of acquisition; transfers to Department of the Interior upon termination of Commission

The Commission may obtain by purchase, rental, donation, or otherwise, such property, facilities, and services as may be needed to carry out its duties. Any acquisition of property by the Commission shall be in accordance with section 410cc–34 of this title: Provided, however, That the Commission may not acquire lands or interests therein pursuant to this subsection by condemnation. Upon the termination of the Commission, all property, personal and real, and unexpended funds shall be transferred to the Department of the Interior.

(Pub. L. 95–290, title III, §305, June 5, 1978, 92 Stat. 302.)

§410cc–36. Staff of Commission

(a) Appointment and compensation of Director

The Commission shall have a Director who shall be appointed by the Commission and who shall be paid at a rate not to exceed the rate of pay payable for grade GS–15 of the General Schedule.

(b) Appointment and compensation of additional personnel

The Commission may appoint and fix the pay of such additional personnel as the Commission deems desirable.

(c) Applicability of civil service provisions to appointment and compensation of Director and staff

The Director and staff of the Commission may be appointed without regard to the provisions of title 5 governing appointments in the competitive service, and may be paid without regard to the provisions of chapter 51, and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates, except that no individual so appointed may receive pay in excess of the annual rate of basic pay payable for grade GS–15 of the General Schedule.

(d) Temporary or intermittent services; procurement and compensation

Subject to such rules as may be adopted by the Commission, the Commission may procure temporary and intermittent services to the same extent as is authorized by section 3109(b) of title 5, but at rates determined by the Commission to be reasonable.

(e) Detail of personnel from other Federal agencies represented by members on Commission; reimbursement by Commission; administrative support services by Administrator of General Services Administration; reimbursement by Commission

(1) Upon request of the Commission, the head of any Federal agency represented by members on the Commission may detail, on a reimbursable basis, any of the personnel of such agency to the Commission to assist it in carrying out its duties under this subchapter.

(2) The Administrator of the General Services Administration shall provide to the Commission on a reimbursable basis such administrative support services as the Commission may request.

(Pub. L. 95–290, title III, §306, June 5, 1978, 92 Stat. 303.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

GS–15 of the General Schedule, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (c), is set out under section 5332 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

§410cc–37. Use of funds; maintenance of financial records; audits

(a) Any revenues or other assets acquired by the Commission by donation, the lease or sale of property or fees for services shall be available to the Commission, without fiscal year limitation, to be used for any function of the Commission authorized under this subchapter. The Commission shall keep financial records fully disclosing the amount and source of revenues and other assets acquired by the Commission, and shall keep such other financial records as the Secretary may prescribe.

(b) The Secretary shall require audits of the financial records of the Commission to be conducted not less frequently than once each year in order to ensure that revenues and other assets of the Commission are being used in a manner authorized under this subchapter.

(Pub. L. 95–290, title III, §307, as added Pub. L. 96–344, §10, Sept. 8, 1980, 94 Stat. 1136.)