(a) The commission shall elect its own chairman and vice-chairman and create and fill such other offices as it may determine. Officers shall serve annual terms and may succeed themselves. The commission may make and alter by laws and rules and regulations to govern its procedures consistent with the ordinances of the municipality and the laws of the Commonwealth. The commission shall keep a full record of its business and shall annually make a written report by March 1 of each year of its activities to the governing body. Interim reports may be made as often as may be necessary, or as requested by the governing body.

(b) The chairman of the planning commission may designate alternate members of the commission to substitute for any absent member or member who has recused himself or has been disqualified by the governing body, and, if, by reason of absence, recusal or disqualification of a member, a quorum is not reached, the chairman of the commission shall designate as many alternate members of the commission to sit on the commission as may be needed to reach a quorum. Any alternate member of the commission shall continue to serve on the commission in all proceedings involving the matter or case for which the alternate was initially appointed until the commission has made a final decision on the matter or case. Designation of an alternate pursuant to this section shall be made on a case-by-case basis in rotation according to declining seniority among all alternates.