SECTION 1. Section 45-22-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 45-22 entitled "Local Planning Board or Commission" is hereby amended to read as follows:

45-22-3. Membership -- Continuation of present membership. -- (a) A planning board or commission consists of no less than five (5) members, and appointments are made for terms of a length that the terms of no more than one third ( 1/3) of the members of the board or commission expire each year. Any vacancy occurring in the membership of a planning board or commission shall be filled by the appointing authority for the remainder of the unexpired term. Any member of a planning board or commission may be removed from office by the appointing authority for due cause, following a public hearing.

(b) Vacancies to the planning board or commission occurring after May 4, 1972, shall be filled in the manner prescribed in this section, except as provided in section 45-22-1 in cities or towns operating under a home rule charter.

(c) The Hopkinton town council has the right to appoint two (2) alternate members to the Hopkinton planning board and the Exeter town council may appoint two (2) alternate members to the Exeter planning board. and the Richmond town council has the right to appoint two (2) alternate members to the Richmond planning board.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.