The chief of police designated by the selectboard of the town shall be the judge of the court and may exercise the powers and perform the functions and duties thereof. However, the judge shall appoint another police officer of the town to act as acting judge whenever the judge is temporarily away from the town or unable to serve by reason of illness or disqualification. The acting judge shall exercise the same powers and perform the same functions and duties as the designated judge. The judge shall specify reasonable hours when the police court is to be opened. (Added 1961, No. 103, § 3; amended 1973, No. 249 (Adj. Sess.), § 76, eff. April 9, 1974.)