JAY — Selectpersons voted to accept the resignation of RSU 73 Director Clint Brooks. Selectpersons also voted Monday to appoint Kathy McAninch to fill the term until the next election in June 2014.

McAninch was the only person to contact the Town Office to say she was interested in filling the position, Town Manager Ruth Cushman said.

Brooks was elected by write-in ballot in June to serve a three-year term.

At the June 2014 election, voters will elect a resident to serve the remaining two years.

In other business, selectmen voted to stay with RHR Smith & Co. in Buxton for the next three years.

The town had solicited bids for the town’s audit. Ten or 12 proposals came back, Cushman said.

Jay Financial Director Lisa Bryant reviewed all the proposals.

She recommended the town stay with RHR Smith for $13,000 a year. She cited continuity and the good work that was done previously with the town among others for her recommendation. They have audited the town for more than a decade, she said.

“I think they have done an excellent job,” Bryant said. “They have years of history.”

The firm’s offer was about $4,000 more than the low bidder.

Bryant said the low bidder, Smith & Associates, CPAs of Yarmouth, had included an accounting of the town’s assets this year, but next year if there is anything above and beyond there would be added charges.

Cushman thanked Bryant for doing a lot of work and reviewing each proposal carefully before making a recommendation.

In another matter, selectpersons voted 4-1 to donate $100 to the Spirit of the Season Committee to put toward coats for children. The vote also included a stipulation that any future requests need to be made during the budget process to be voted on at town meeting.

Justin Merrill opposed the vote due to committee members not requesting the money at the appropriate time.

Selectperson Tim DeMillo said he was not opposed to giving them a donation but they should put in the request when the budget process begins.

“It’s a good thing they provide services for the children or I would not vote on it,” McCourt said.

The money will come out of the selectpersons contingency fund.

In another business matter, the board voted to appoint Delance White to be a full-member of the Board of Assessment Review. They also appointed two alternates to the board, William Harlow and Terry Bergeron.

The board also approved a liquor license and special entertainment permits for the owner of the Walsh Family Tree of Jay, who will be opening a lounge, dance hall and grill on Intervale Road/Route 140.

dperry@sunjournal.com