Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 8C of chapter 40 of the General Laws, the board of selectmen of the town of Falmouth may appoint not more than three associate members of the conservation commission of said town for terms not to exceed two years.

The chairman of said commission may designate any such associate member to sit on the commission in the absence of a quorum for any reason including a conflict of interest, or the existence of a vacancy until said vacancy is filled in the manner provided in said section 8C of said chapter 40.