In a city or town, one member of a housing or redevelopment authority shall be appointed by the department for an initial term of three years. If the department does not fill a vacancy in the position of that member within 120 days from the date that the vacancy is created, the board of selectmen shall appoint, in writing, a person by a majority vote to fill such vacancy for the unexpired term. In a city, the mayor shall appoint a person subject to confirmation by the city council for the unexpired term.
Thereafter, as the term of a member of any housing or redevelopment authority expires, his successor shall be appointed or elected, in the same manner and by the same body, for a term of five years from such expiration. Membership in a housing or redevelopment authority shall be restricted to residents of the city or town.