No person shall be a candidate for, nor hold, any local elective office unless he is a resident of the local unit to which the office pertains. If any person nominated for, or holding, any local elective office shall cease to be a resident of the local unit to which the office pertains, the nomination or office, as the case may be, shall be vacant, and shall be filled in the manner prescribed by law.
N.J.S. § 40A:9-1.12