1. In cities under fifty thousand population according to the latest federal or state census or enumeration, the board of health shall consist of the mayor of the city who shall be its president, and six other persons, one of whom shall be a competent physician who shall be appointed by the common council, upon the nomination of the mayor, and shall hold office for three years. 2. Appointments of members of such boards shall be made for such shorter terms as at any time may be necessary, in order that the terms of two appointed members shall expire annually.
New York Legal Code