(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 under subsections 306(d) and (e) of this charter expires, or when there is a vacancy in any such board, commission, or office, the Town Manager shall 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/her name to the Town Manager as an applicant for the vacant or expired office. At the expiration of 10 days from the date of the 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 their minutes.