A vacancy shall occur upon the death, resignation, removal from office (other than by recall) as authorized by law, or forfeiture of office of a Commission member. When such a vacancy occurs, other than that of Mayor, the remaining Commission members may select, by the affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the remaining membership, a person to fill the vacancy. Such an appointed person shall be a qualified elector in the Town, as specified in this Charter, and shall serve until the next general municipal election, at which time a candidate will be elected to serve a term equal in time to what would have otherwise been the time remaining in the term of the Commissioner-at-Large whose office has become vacant.
In the event the office of Mayor is vacated, the Vice-Mayor assumes the position until the next general municipal election, at which time a candidate will be elected to serve for the remainder of the Mayor's unexpired term, and a person is appointed or elected to fill the office of Commissioner-at-Large held by the Vice-Mayor, all in accordance with the criteria and procedures herein provided. Said individual succeeding to the position of Commissioner-at-Large, formerly held by the Vice-Mayor, shall hold office only until the next general municipal election.
If the Commission shall fail to fill a vacancy on the Commission within thirty (30) days after it occurs, or whenever two (2) or more vacancies shall occur at the same time, the Mayor shall immediately call a special election to fill the vacancy or vacancies. Those elected at the special election will serve a term equal in time to what would have otherwise been the time remaining in the term of the Commissioner-at-Large whose office has become vacant. Among the successful candidates those receiving the largest number of votes shall be declared elected for the longest terms.
In no event shall the Commission consist of more than two (2) commissioners serving on an appointive basis.
(Adopted by electorate 11-6-73; Amendment adopted by electorate 11-4-86; Amendment adopted by electorate 11-7-89)