26:3-3. a. The local board in every municipality, other than a township, which is subject to the provisions of subdivision C of this article, or a board established by a municipality that invokes the provisions of subsection b. of this section, shall be composed of not less than five nor more than seven members, except that in a city of the first class the board shall consist of 10 members, and in a city having a population of over 80,000, but not of the first class, the board shall consist of not less than five nor more than 10 members.

Upon the consent of the prospective appointee, the governing body of a municipality may appoint a school nurse or the municipal physician to the local board, notwithstanding that the nurse or physician is not a resident of the municipality.

The local board may, by ordinance, provide for the appointment of two alternate members. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law or charter heretofore adopted, the ordinance shall provide the method of appointment of the alternate members. Alternate members shall be designated at the time of appointment by the authority appointing them as “Alternate No. 1” and “Alternate No. 2.”

The terms of the alternate members shall be for two years, except that the terms of the alternate members first appointed shall be two years for Alternate No. 1 and one year for Alternate No. 2, so that the term of not more than one alternate member shall expire in any one year. A vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be filled by the appointing authority for the unexpired term only.

An alternate member shall not be permitted to act on any matter in which he has either directly or indirectly any personal or financial interest. An alternate member may, after public hearing if he requests one, be removed by the governing body for cause.

An alternate member 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 No. 1 shall vote first.

b. In the case of a municipality, other than a township, with a population of 30,000 or less, the local board may be composed of the members of the governing body of the municipality.

c. As used in this section, “governing body” means the body exercising general legislative power in the municipality, including any mayor selected by the governing body from among its own members.

Amended 1953, c.349, s.1; 1981, c.462, s.28; 1989, c.168, s.1; 2000, c.126, s.3; 2023, c.205, s.1.