There shall be a Planning Board comprised of nine members and such alternates as permitted by law, appointed in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40:55D-23. The Planning Board shall be organized in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40:55D-24 and shall annually elect a Chairman and Vice Chairman, select a Secretary who may or may not be a member of the Board, employ the services of a legal counsel and, as deemed required by the Board, employ or contract for the services of an engineer, planning consultant and other experts and staff. The Board may hire a shorthand reporter when it deems it necessary to make a transcript of proceedings before the Board and may hire such other experts on specific applications as it may deem necessary to accomplish the Board's duties and responsibilities in the implementation of this chapter. On those specific appeals or applications where the Board deems it necessary to hire special outside consultants or experts to review, recommend to or advise the Board on specific items related to the appeal or application, the Board shall be empowered to hire the experts and consultants, after a resolution is adopted by the Board at a public meeting, at the sole cost and expense of the appellant or applicant in accordance with the provisions of § 28-4.15 of this chapter.