If the governing body of any municipality shall elect to create a planning commission, such commission shall have not less than three nor more than nine members. Except for elected or appointed officers or employees of the municipality, members of the commission may receive compensation in an amount fixed by the governing body. Compensation shall not exceed the rate of compensation authorized to be paid to members of the governing body. Without exception, members of the planning commission may be reimbursed for necessary and reasonable expenses. However, elected or appointed officers or employees of the municipality shall not, by reason of membership thereon, forfeit the right to exercise the powers, perform the duties or receive the compensations of the municipal offices held by them during such membership.