(a) The membership of the board shall, upon the determination of the governing body, consist of either three or five residents of the municipality appointed by resolution by the governing body. The terms of office of a three member board shall be three years and shall be so fixed that the term of office of one member shall expire each year. The terms of office of a five member board shall be five years and shall be so fixed that the term of office of one member of a five member board shall expire each year. If a three member board is changed to a five member board, the members of the existing three member board shall continue in office until their term of office would expire under prior law.The governing body shall appoint two additional members to the board with terms scheduled to expire in accordance with the provisions of this section. The board shall promptly notify the governing body of any vacancies which occur. Appointments to fill vacancies shall be only for the unexpired portion of the term. Members of the board shall hold no other elected or appointed office in the municipality, nor shall any member be an employee of the municipality.

(b) The governing body may appoint by resolution at least one but no more than three residents of the municipality to serve as alternate members of the board. The term of office of an alternate member shall be three years. When seated pursuant to the provisions of section 906,¹ an alternate shall be entitled to participate in all proceedings and discussions of the board to the same and full extent as provided by law for board members, including specifically the right to cast a vote as a voting member during the proceedings, and shall have all the powers and duties set forth in this act and as otherwise provided by law. Alternates shall hold no other elected or appointed office in the municipality, including service as a member of the planning commission or as a zoning officer, nor shall any alternate be an employee of the municipality. Any alternate may participate in any proceeding or discussion of the board but shall not be entitled to vote as a member of the board nor be compensated pursuant to section 907² unless designated as a voting alternate member pursuant to section 906.