When the tax collector of any town, city, borough, fire district or other municipality, by reason of illness or disability, becomes unable to discharge the duties of his office, the selectmen of the town, or a majority of them, or the governing body of any such municipality, may, by a writing signed by them or by the authorized officer of the governing body, as the case may be, appoint some suitable person as acting tax collector, who, upon being sworn and giving a bond satisfactory to the selectmen or such governing body, may thereupon exercise all the duties and perform all the functions of such tax collector until such time as such tax collector is found by such selectmen or such governing body to have become able to discharge the duties of his office or until his successor is elected or appointed and has qualified.