The membership of the board consists of one person from each of the island municipalities and plantations serviced by the Maine State Ferry System and 3 members appointed by the Commissioner of Transportation. The members representing the island municipalities and plantations shall be appointed by the municipal officers of the member's municipality or by the assessors of the member's plantation and all members shall serve a term of office of 2 years. Each island municipality shall appoint one alternate member to the board. In the absence of the island's primary representative, its alternate may represent the island at all board meetings. Vacancies in membership must be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.   [PL 1997, c. 643, Pt. QQ, §2 (AMD).]