BUCKFIELD — The Select Board reacted Tuesday to the news of the impending closing of the town’s only bank.

Representatives from Northeast Bank met with town officials earlier this week to announce that it would be closing its branch on 2 Depot St. on June 30. It is the only bank in the community.

The closing will likely include the removal of the night deposit box and the ATM.

“I think it’s going to be a hardship for a lot of people in Buckfield without a bank,” Select Board member Janet Iveson said.

Town Manager Lorna Nichols said bank officials told her that traffic was down significantly at the branch. It was closed to all foot traffic for several months during the pandemic.

The closest Northeast Bank branch for residents is in Paris, about 10 miles away. The Portland-based bank also has branches in Auburn, Bethel and Poland, as well as Portland, Augusta and Brunswick.

The closest bank to town is a branch of Androscoggin Bank in Turner, about five miles away, Nichols said.

Selectmen suggested contacting area credit unions or other banks to encourage one to open a branch in the Depot Street building.

In other business, the Select Board agreed to spend $27,000 as a deposit on an air exchange compressor for the Fire/Rescue building. The down payment will be divided equally between the Fire Department and the Rescue Department budgets after July 1. The $13,776 balance will be paid from the town’s allotment from the American Rescue Plan Act after it becomes available in September.

The board approved the appointments of Michele Witham for a two-year term on the Recreation Committee, Sandra Fickett to a one-year term on the Budget Committee and Richard Piper to a three-year term on the Economic Development Committee.

Nichols reported she has received several applications for town clerk and the deputy town clerk. She expects to begin interviews within the next two weeks.

Road Commissioner Weldon Lucas reported the town has used nearly 50 fewer tons of salt than it used last winter. There is enough salt remaining to mix with winter sand for next fall.