BUCKFIELD — The Board of Selectmen accepted, with regret, the resignation of Rescue Chief Lisa Bennett on Tuesday night.

“It’s a shame,” Board of Selectmen Chairman Martha Catevenis said. “She’s done a great service to this community over the years.”

Bennett presented the board with a letter, which did not give a reason for her decision. She has been with Buckfield Rescue for 20 years, according to her letter.

Town Manager Cindy Dunn said there will be a farewell reception for Bennett from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 22, upstairs at the Municipal Building.

Dunn said an emergency medical technician with Buckfield Rescue also resigned Tuesday afternoon.

Chip Richardson, deputy chief of the rescue service, will take over until a decision is made on hiring.

Dunn will meet with the fire chief, deputy fire chief and Richardson and see what their thinking is before reporting back to the selectmen on the hiring issue.

Richardson said they would have a hard time replacing Bennett.

A member of the Budget Committee suggested that since the fire chief would be retiring next year, maybe the town should advertise for a fire and rescue chief.

In other news, the Budget Committee asked selectmen about budgeting for emergencies.

Budget Committee Chairman Glen Holmes suggested the board look at the town budget like they do their personal finances. He said saving for an emergency provides the money when needed.

Budget Committee member Pearly Lovejoy favored borrowing when there is a need.

Holmes suggested that putting money away for the future is a good plan.

The two panels will meet Oct. 2.

James Bennett Jr. was appointed to the Road Committee for a three-year term and Kristy Durgin was appointed to the Recreation Committee until 2015.

Dunn informed the board that contaminated soil was found under the concrete at the new fire station site and it had to be removed and new soil brought in. The final cost may be $1,000 or $2,000, she said.

It was determined that the Fire Department’s recent fundraiser was legal. Catevenis had requested information at the last meeting and the board had letters supporting the legality of such actions. The law has restrictions, but the selectmen may approve such an activity.