PARIS — Selectmen voted Monday to look into negotiating a buyout for Town Manager Phil Tarr’s contract and set a schedule for hiring a new manager.

The decision on the buyout came after an executive session.

Tarr’s contract expires at the end of the year.

Chairman Sam Elliot said Wednesday that no details have been decided, but the agreement could mean an earlier exit for Tarr. He said it’s a possibility, “if there’s something that would work for him, work for us.”

He said the vote was to consider the idea and discuss it with Tarr.

Elliot said he didn’t know whether discussions would mean bringing in attorneys. “It would be premature to give any details at all, because there just aren’t any,” Elliot said.

Earlier in Monday’s meeting, the board voted 4-1 not to appoint a committee to assist in the search for a new town manager. Selectman Robert Wessels, who cast the dissenting vote, said he wanted to hear residents’ opinions on what they want from the next town manager. Elliot and Selectman Robert Kirchherr echoed that sentiment.

They approved a draft schedule, which would have the board begin reviewing applications in mid-September and conduct interviews Sept. 22 and 29.

In other business, the board directed Elliot to contact the St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad to discuss the exact nature of the crossing leading to the gravel pit off High Street.

The board voted to reappoint Brad Frost as chief of the Paris Fire Department, and William Buffington and Jonathan Longley as assistant chiefs.

James Hakala was appointed to the Cemetery, and Policy and Procedure committees, and was reappointed to the Planning Board. Paula Hakala was appointed to the Social Services Committee.

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