6 LAWS OF MARYLAND [CH. 1

with its general purpose and intent and in accordance with
general or specific rules therein contained.

(b) The Board of Zoning Appeals shall consist of five
members and they shall be appointed for a term of four
years, but of the first appointed members one shall be ap-
pointed for a term of one year, one for a term of two years,
one for a term of three years and two for a term of four
years. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term of
any member whose term becomes vacant. The members of
the Board of Zoning Appeals shall be removable for cause
by the appointing authority upon written charges and after
public hearing.

(c) The Board shall adopt rules in accordance with the
provisions of any ordinance adopted pursuant to this Act.
Meetings of the Board shall be held at the call of the Chair-
man, and at such other times as the Board may determine.
Such Chairman, or in his absence the acting Chairman, may
administer oaths and compel the attendance of witnesses.
All meetings of the Board shall be open to the public. The
Board shall keep minutes of its proceedings, showing the
vote of each member upon each question, or, if absent or
failing to vote, indicating such fact, and shall keep records
of its examinations and other official actions, all of which
shall be immediately filed in the office of the Board and
shall be a public record.

(d) Appeals to the Board of Zoning Appeals may be
taken by any person aggrieved or by any officer, depart-
ment, board or bureau of the municipality affected by any
decision of the administrative officer. Such appeal shall
be taken within a reasonable time, as provided by the rules
of the Board, by filing with the officer from whom the ap-
peal is taken, and with the Board of Zoning Appeals a
notice of appeal specifying the grounds thereof. The of-
ficer from whom the appeal is taken shall forthwith trans-
mit to the Board all the papers constituting the record upon
which the action appealed from was taken.

(e) An appeal stays all proceedings in furtherance of
the action appealed from, unless the officer from whom the
appeal is taken certifies to the Board of Zoning Appeals
after the notice of appeal shall have been filed with him
that by reason of facts stated in the certificate a stay would,
in his opinion, cause imminent peril to life or property. In
such case proceedings shall not be stayed otherwise than by
a restraining order which may be granted by the Board of
Zoning Appeals or by a court of record on application, on