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

Notwithstanding section 8C of chapter 40 of the General Laws, the board of selectmen of the town of Bourne may appoint 3 associate members to the conservation commission of the town for terms not to exceed 1 year. The chairman of the commission may designate an associate member to sit on the commission in the case of absence, inability to act or conflict of interest on the part of a member of the commission or in the event of a vacancy on the commission, until the vacancy is filled in accordance with this section 8C of said chapter 40.