The members of each commission shall be appointed by the governing body of the municipality of its creation. Each member shall be, for the last five years preceding his appointment, a citizen of the United States and a qualified voter of the State of New Jersey. One member shall be appointed for one year, one member for two years, one member for three years, two members for four years and two members for five years. At the expiration of each of the above terms, the new member or members shall be appointed for a term of five years. Vacancies in the membership of any commission, occurring for whatever cause, shall be promptly filled by appointment by the governing body for the unexpired term thereof. Members shall serve for their respective terms and until their successors are appointed and qualify. No more than four members shall be from the same political party.

Each member shall be chosen with a special view to his qualifications and fitness for service on the commission. He shall have had experience in industry or commerce and shall be conversant with the industrial needs and facilities of his commission’s municipality, and shall be of known devotion to public service.

A member of the governing body of the municipality shall not be appointed as a member of the commission.

There shall be appointed upon said commission, unless local conditions shall otherwise require, one representative of industry or commerce; a representative of labor; a representative of the clearing house or banks of said municipality; a representative of the chamber of commerce; a representative of the service clubs of such municipality; a representative of the legal profession; and a representative of a recognized real estate dealer’s association.

No member, officer or employee of any commission shall be interested directly or indirectly in any contracts for work or materials used by the commission, or in any sales, leases or agreements in connection with lands, buildings or other property owned or controlled by it, or in any fees or compensation of any kind paid to any broker, architect, engineer, merchant or other person doing business with the commission or in any other transaction of or with the commission, or the benefits or profits thereof.

Each member and officer of the commission shall, before assuming office, take and subscribe an oath that he will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of his office.

The members and officers of the commission shall serve without compensation, but each shall receive his actual disbursements for his expenses in performing his duties.

The members of the commission shall choose annually from among its members a chairman or president, and such other officers as it may deem necessary. The mayor of the municipality served by the commission, shall be ex officio a member thereof, but he shall not have voting privileges.

A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum of the board.

The members and officers may be required to furnish bonds to the commission, to secure the faithful discharge of their duties, in form, amount and with such surety as may from time to time be required by resolution of the governing body of the municipality served by the commission.

Amended by L.1984, c. 196, s. 1, eff. Nov. 27, 1984.