The council shall elect one of its members as its president at its first meeting as defined in section 203, or at its first meeting following the occurrence of a vacancy in said office. The president shall preside at meetings, and shall be recognized as head of the town government for all ceremonial purposes, and by the governor for purposes of military law. The president shall have the same right to speak and vote as any other member. (Amended, November 4, 2008.)