§ 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.