§ 320. Local health officer; appointment; residence. 1. Except in the
cities whose charters otherwise provide, and except as hereinafter
provided for joint appointment by two or more local boards of health of
one health officer for the municipalities joining in such appointment,
and except in those local health districts within the area of a county
or part-county health district, each local board of health shall appoint
a health officer of the municipality. A member of the appointing board
is not eligible to be appointed as the health officer. Such health
officer shall be a citizen and qualified as provided in the sanitary
code. Such qualifications shall be determined by the public health
council, in consultation with the rural health council. Notwithstanding
the provisions of any general or local law or charter, a person who is
qualified as provided in the sanitary code at the time of his
appointment shall be eligible for appointment as health officer.

2. The health officer need not reside within the village or town for
which he is appointed.

3. The local boards of health of a town and village, or for two or
more towns or villages, jointly, may appoint one health officer to be
the health officer for the several municipalities joining in the
appointment, upon the authorization of a resolution or ordinance duly
adopted by each of the respective town boards or boards of trustees of
the villages affected, with the written approval of the commissioner.