Section 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.