(a) When the term of any member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, the Planning Commission, or any other Town board or commission expires, or when the term of any officer appointed by the selectmen or the Town Manager expires, or when there is a vacancy in any such board, commission, or office, the Town Manager may cause to be published, in a newspaper of general local circulation, a notice of the vacancy or the expiration of the term.

(b) Any qualified voter of the Town may, within 10 days of the publication, submit his or her name to the Town Manager as an applicant for the vacant or expired office. At the expiration or 10 days from the date of publication, the names of all persons being considered shall be entered in the selectmen's minutes. The selectmen shall not fill the vacancy or expired term until after at least seven days from the date the names of the applicants are entered in the minutes.