The township board, at its next regular or special session after the adoption of this act in any township, shall appoint, by a majority vote of the members elect, 3 electors of the township as members of the civil service commission, to take office as soon as appointed and qualified, and who shall serve for the following terms as designated in the resolution of appointment: One member for a term expiring 2 years from December 31 of that year, 1 member for a term expiring 4 years from December 31 of that year, and 1 member for a term expiring 6 years from December 31 of that year. Biennially thereafter, the township board shall appoint by majority vote 1 civil service commissioner for a term of 6 years to take office on January 1 of the next year and succeed the commissioner whose term shall next expire. The commissioner whose term shall next expire shall serve as chairman of the commission. Any vacancy occurring on the commission shall be filled for the unexpired term by the township board by a majority vote of the members elect. Each commissioner shall serve until his successor is appointed and qualified. Not more than 2 of the commissioners so appointed shall be members of the same political party. Two members of the commission constitute a quorum thereof. The township board by a 2/3 vote of all the members elect may remove a commissioner during his term of office, but only after serving the commissioner with a statement in writing of the reasons for such removal, and allowing him an opportunity to be represented and publicly heard in his defense.