BUCKFIELD — The chairman of the Board of Selectmen quit Tuesday night, saying “I’m done here. I have listened to criticisms for as long as I have been chairman and I”m done with it.”

Robin Buswell walked out after responding to Vivian Wadas’ comments that she had been afraid to ask questions in board meetings. He said he had never failed to recognize her when he saw she wanted to speak.

He gathered up his coat and hat and left, and put Vice Chairman Warren Wright in charge.

Buswell could not be reached by phone for further comments.

Selectmen Warren Wright and Martha Catevenis decided that since Buswell’s term is up in June, they would manage until elections then.

Town Clerk Cindy Dunn said nomination papers for the vacant seat would be available Friday, March 15, and must be returned by April 30. The term is for three years and includes the position of assessor.

Another resident asked why the board had seemingly voted to cut sick leave from eight hours to four hours for town employees and then revisited the vote.

Before he left, Buswell said the employees didn’t deserve having the benefit taken away.

The annual town meeting was set for Tuesday, June 11, and Saturday, June 15.

RSU 10 board Chairman Jerry Wiley reported some cuts the school is considering. He said they saved $400,000 with Murray Oil’s bid at $3 a gallon. He also said municipalities could take advantage of this deal next year if they signed on.

Another savings is is closing the upstairs school office in the municipal building and getting rid of some portable classrooms. He said they were looking at all buildings to see what might be closed to save money.

Town Manager Dana Lee said he would advertise for a road foreman. The person that was hired recently was on a probationary basis and all parties agreed they needed a local person to be foreman.

State Rep. Terry Hayes, D-Buckfield, spoke to the board about the governor’s budget plans. Selectmen had expressed concerns with some sections of it and had prepared several alternatives to discuss with Hayes.

“I went to listen rather than to talk,” Hayes said. “The Appropriations Committee will begin vetting the governor’s proposal later this week. While they are responsible for the overall budget, various policy committees will review different sections in detail.”

The governor’s proposed budget is balanced. The legislature has the duty to review each section, approve it, add needed expenditures or cuts as appropriate, she said.

“State law requires that the budget voted out of the Appropriations Committee has to be balanced, too,” she said.

Hayes said she expects the full House to receive the budget from the Appropriations Committee in late May. The budget must be finished before their mandatory adjournment on June 19. The new fiscal year begins July 1.

In other business Tuesday night, Kim Lord was appointed to the Beautification Committee.