OGUNQUIT — The Ogunquit Select Board accepted the resignation of Town Manager Tom Fortier on Tuesday night.

The board voted 4-0 in favor of accepting Fortier’s resignation, after his arrest in August for theft brought both attention and controversy to the small seaside community.

Fortier was charged with unauthorized taking or transfer and official oppression — both Class E misdemeanors — for allegedly charging people to park in a lot owned by the town of Ogunquit on July 4, when parking was supposed to be free, then pocketing the money.

According to Maine’s criminal code, a person is guilty of official oppression, “If, being a public servant and acting with the intention to benefit himself or another or to harm another, he knowingly commits an unauthorized act which purports to be an act of his office, or knowingly refrains from performing a duty imposed on him by law or clearly inherent in the nature of his office.”

City officials have held several closed-door meetings to discuss personnel matters relating to Fortier’s case in recent months, ending with Tuesday’s meeting.

Select Board Chair Barbara Dailey read a statement prepared by the town regarding Fortier’s voluntary resignation.

“Tonight we have voted to accept the resignation of Town Manager Tom Fortier,” she said. “The Select Board accepted Mr. Fortier’s resignation because it brings finality to this matter and allows us to recruit and hire a new town manager.”

Dailey said Fortier’s resignation will become effective as of June 30 of this year, unless he is convicted of a crime prior to that date. Town residents will vote in June whether or not to extend payments to Fortier for five additional weeks, through August 4.

“We believe this resolution is in the best interest of the town … we have committed to be thorough, fair and acting in compliance with the law,” Dailey said. “We remain committed to these same principles to ensure we act fairly and legally.”

Fortier, 52, was hired as town manager of Ogunquit in February 2009. According to his LinkedIn profile, he served as town manager of Richmond from 2007 to 2009 and as a neighborhood administrator in Portland from 1989 to 2006.

Mark O’Brien, Ogunquit’s fire chief, has been serving as acting town manager in Fortier’s absence.

— Staff Writer Alan Bennett can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 329 or abennett@journaltribune.com.