(a)

A zoning board of review may engage legal, technical, or clerical assistance to aid in the discharge of its duties. The board shall establish written rules of procedure, a mailing address to which appeals and correspondence to the zoning board of review shall be sent, and an office where records and decisions shall be filed.

(b)

The zoning board of review shall consist of five members, each to hold office for the term of five years; provided, however, that the original appointments shall be made for terms of one, two, three, four, and five years, respectively. The zoning board of review shall also include two alternates to be designated as the first and second alternate members, their terms to be set by the ordinance, but not to exceed five years. These alternate members shall sit and may actively participate in hearings. The first alternate shall vote if a member of the board is unable to serve at a hearing and the second shall vote if two members of the board are unable to serve at a hearing. In the absence of the first alternate member, the second alternate member shall serve in the position of the first alternate. No member or alternate may vote on any matter before the board unless they have attended all hearings concerning that matter. Where not provided for in the city or town Charter, the zoning ordinance shall specify procedures for filling vacancies in unexpired terms of zoning board members, and for removal of members for due cause.

(c)

Members of zoning boards of review serving on the effective date of adoption of a zoning ordinance under this chapter shall be exempt from provisions of this chapter respecting terms of originally appointed members until the expiration of their current terms.

(d)

The chairperson, or in his or her absence, the acting chairperson, may administer oaths and compel the attendance of witnesses by the issuance of subpoenas.

Once each year the zoning board of review shall organize by electing from its membership a chairman, vice-chairman, and secretary.

Meetings of the zoning board shall be held at the call of the chairman and at such other times as the zoning board may determine. The chairman, or in his or her absence the vice-chairman, may administer oaths and compel the attendance of witnesses and the submission of explanatory data. The auxiliary member of the zoning board shall sit as an active member upon request of the chairman if a regular member is unable to serve at any hearing. All hearings of the zoning board shall be open to the public.

The zoning board shall make a record of all the proceedings and actions, precisely showing its reasons, based upon findings of fact, for its decisions, the vote of each member participating therein, the absence of a member, and the failure of a member to vote. This record shall be filed immediately in the offices of the zoning board and town clerk and shall be available for public inspection.