(a) If the town council shall determine that the power to equip, operate and maintain recreation places shall be exercised by a recreation board, they may establish in said town such recreation board which shall possess all the powers and be subject to all the responsibilities of the respective authorities under this act. Such board, when established, shall consist of a minimum of five and a maximum of nine persons and when established in a town having a school board, two of the members shall be members and appointees of the school board. The town members of the board shall be appointed by the council of such town and shall serve for no longer than five years and the terms of the members shall be staggered in such a manner that at least one expires annually. Members of such board shall serve without pay. Women shall be eligible for appointment. Vacancies in such board occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as original appointments.

(b) In addition to the establishment of a town recreation board, the town council may appoint persons to serve as members of a school district recreation board established by the school district wherein the town is located.