The municipal officers of any municipality may request the state sealer to appoint a qualified person to serve as sealer of weights and measures in lieu of local appointment or election as provided for in section 2451. If a municipality fails to elect or appoint a sealer and make a return to the state sealer of such election or appointment within 30 days after the regular municipal election, the state sealer may appoint a qualified person to act as sealer of weights and measures. Any person appointed under this section may serve in such capacity in more than one municipality.