(a) The board shall, after approval of the Commissioner of Public Health, appoint some discreet person, possessing the qualifications specified in § 19a-244, to be director of health for such district, and if the director of health is not selected within sixty days from the formation of any such district, or if a vacancy in said office continues to exist for sixty days, such director shall then be appointed by said commissioner. The board may appoint a person to serve as the acting director of health during such time as the director of health is absent or a vacancy exists, provided such acting director shall meet the qualifications for directors of health in § 19a-244, or such other qualifications as may be approved by said commissioner. Upon the appointment of a director of health under the provisions of this section, the terms of office of the directors of health of the towns, cities or boroughs forming such district shall terminate.

(b) Such director of health may be removed whenever a majority of the board of such health district finds that such director of health is guilty of misconduct, material neglect of duty or incompetence in the conduct of such director’s office.

(c) On and after July 1, 1988, each district health department shall provide for the services of a sanitarian licensed under chapter 395 to work under the direction of the district director of health. Where practical, the district director of health may act as the sanitarian.

(d) As used in this chapter, “authorized agent” means a sanitarian licensed under chapter 395 and any individual certified for a specific program of environmental health by the Commissioner of Public Health in accordance with the general statutes and regulations of Connecticut state agencies.