The board shall consist of nine members who shall be appointed by the Governor in the following manner. Each county in the district shall be represented on the board by two members, of different political parties, both of whom shall reside in the district and in the county they represent. At least one of the two members from each county must reside in a contracting municipality as defined in R.S. 58:14-34.11 or in a leasing municipality. Not more than five of the nine members of the board shall be from the same political party. The ninth member shall be an at-large member appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, and shall serve during the term of office of the Governor. As used in this section, "at-large member" means a resident of the Passaic Valley Sewerage District as defined in R.S. 58:14-1. Upon the expiration of the term of office of a commissioner, his successor shall be appointed by the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, for a term of five years, except that the term of the at-large member shall be concurrent with the term of office of the Governor. The Governor may remove any commissioner from office for cause. Each commissioner shall hold his office until his successor has been appointed, and any vacancy in the membership of the commission because of death, resignation or removal, shall be filled for the unexpired term in the manner provided for on original appointment. In making any appointment hereunder, either for a full term or to fill a vacancy, regard shall be had to ability and fitness, and also locality, so that each section of the district may be represented as far as practicable.
N.J.S. § 58:14-3