CHESTERVILLE — Selectmen Anne Lambert and David Archer resigned their positions at Thursday night’s board meeting.

The resignations, which were accepted by the other board members, came a week after a special town meeting to use $3,500 from undesignated funds to pay IRS penalties related to payroll taxes.

Some selectmen learned after the meeting that the penalties had already been paid.

Lambert said she had poured her heart and soul into the position over the past five months and was stressed out. 

“This just put me over the edge,” she said.

Board of Selectmen Chairman Guy Iverson asked her to wait a week before making the decision final.

Selectman Paul Caldwell said he wanted to wait until the full board was present to vote. Selectman David Archer came to the meeting later.

Lambert said she wouldn’t change her mind. The board accepted her resignation, with regret.

She said she didn’t say anything about the IRS payment at the special town meeting because the town’s attorney advised the board not to speak on the matter. 

There was much discussion from selectmen and residents Thursday night over the way the IRS issue came about and was handled. Selectmen agreed that several mistakes were made and they should have questioned what the IRS payment was for.

Former selectman Scott Gray said some board members didn’t share information with other members, which makes the town look foolish.

Near the end of the board meeting, Archer presented his resignation, which gave no reason, and the board accepted it.

The board hopes to have nomination papers available soon so elections can be held Nov. 8.

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