On Monday, March 17, the New Gloucester Board of Selectmen is expected to approve the March 4 resignation of Chairman David Lunt, albeit with regret.

Lunt, 71, submitted a letter of resignation the Town Manager, Rosemary Kulow, and his fellow board members after four years serving on the board, and one year as Chairman.

“I just had reached a point where I felt I’m kind of readjusting my priorities. Because of the time involved, I feel it would be much more to my advantage to work on the three other committees I am involved with,” said Lunt.

In his letter of resignation, Lunt said he would “very much like to continue serving on the Community Fair Committee, the Public Safety Committee, and the Fire Station Committee as a citizen representative.”

Lunt is also a member of the Cumberland County Community Development Block Grant Program Committee, and he said he would like to remain on the board unless the committee wishes to name a new member.

Because of his resignation, Lunt said he would like to give the committees he is involved with the opportunity to vote him in again as a citizen, rather than an elected official.

Regarding the terms on which he is leaving the Board of Selectmen, Lunt said they are “as good as they can be.”

But fellow board member, Linda Chase, said she was sorry, if not shocked, when she learned of Lunt’s resignation.

“I was disappointed but not surprised to hear he was resigning. I like him. He is a very nice man, and he’s very good about listening to what everyone has to say and drawing his own conclusions,” said Chase, who began her first term as a board member in November.

Chase said there was a disagreement during a meeting earlier this month, in which Lunt became upset and said he needed to “think about things.” However, Chase declined to discuss the details, because the disagreement took place during executive session.

Lunt made no comment on the matter.

Lunt’s resignation must be accepted by the Board of Selectmen. Barbara Seaver, Deputy Town Clerk for the town of New Gloucester, said it has been added to the agenda for the next meeting on March 17. Seaver added that Lunt is a well-liked town official.

“We will miss him,” said Seaver.

Chase said she cannot foresee any reason the board will not accept the resignation.

“If David feels that strongly about it, we would accept it with much sadness,” said Chase.

Lunt’s resignation adds another vacancy to the board to be filled in the June elections. Another member of the board, Dale Maschino, will end his elected term in June. Chase said she does not know whether he will seek re-election. The board will likely wait until June to select a new Chairman.