The appointment of a member to a board, agency or commission
may be rescinded by the appointing authority whenever the member,
without being excused by a majority of the authorized members of such
body, fails to attend and participate at meetings of such body for
a period of eight consecutive weeks, or for four consecutive regular
meetings, whichever shall be of longer duration, at the conclusion
of such period, provided that such body shall notify the appointing
authority in writing of such determination; provided, further, that
such board, committee, commission, authority or other agency may refuse
to excuse only with respect to those failures to attend and participate
which are not due to legitimate illness; provided, however, that nothing
in this section shall preclude a municipal appointing authority from
adopting by ordinance a policy establishing a lower absentee threshold,
provided that the ordinance shall not permit the removal of the member
if the member has been absent for less than six consecutive weeks,
or three consecutive meetings, whichever shall be of longer duration,
without being excused, within the term of office for the position
held by the individual.