POLAND – Accusations of personal agendas flew Tuesday during what would normally have been a routine reappointment to the town’s Planning Board.

Susan Ellis, who has served nine years on the town’s planning body, failed to receive a majority endorsement from Poland’s selectmen. Ellis’ term expired July 1, but action to fill her position was tabled until July 20.

“I feel bad if you’re opposed to reappointing Sue on personal matters,” said Selectman Bud Jordan. “That’s what it looks like to me, and that’s no way to run a town.”

Jordan moved and voted to reappoint Ellis. Chairman Glenn Peterson and newly elected selectwoman Wendy Sanborn voted against Ellis’ reappointment. David Corcoran abstained on the grounds of friendship. Selectmen Steve Robinson was absent from Tuesday’s meeting.

Sanborn, who campaigned this spring on bringing new people into town government, said that the Planning Board needed a change. Peterson cited a lack of town support for Ellis, who also serves as chair of the Thompson Lake Environmental Association.

“I feel you do have an agenda,” said Peterson to Ellis when asked for his reasons against reappointment. “The zoning ordinances are pretty cut and dried, and I found little support in the town for you.”

Ellis acknowledged her reputation for being anti-business, but denied its justification.

“I’m not against business,” said Ellis. “I’m all for the right business in the right location.”

When asked her views on the town’s development, Ellis said Poland has gained too many new houses and needs a business district. She added that the town needed to address discrepancies between its comprehensive land use plan and its zoning ordinances.

“I don’t really know you,” said Sanborn. “But I’ve followed the votes, and I just see a lot of obstruction. I think we need some new faces and new ideas.”

An alternate seat on the Planning Board also opened this year with the resignation of Charles Friis, whose term officially expires next year. Selectmen also tabled Bruce Uldall’s application for the alternate spot until July 20.

“In fairness to Sue, I think we should put this off for a full board vote as well,” said Selectman David Corcoran.

Uldall, who has lived in Poland 21 years, said he had no agenda and had long been interested in serving on the Planning Board.

“There’s no doubt that Sue’s done a good job,” said Uldall. “But I’m sure that there are other people in this town who could do just as good a job and would like an opportunity.”

Corcoran said that all appointments for either planning or appeals boards should echo the Board of Selectmen’s pro-business stance.

“I think that these appointments should reflect this board’s outlook in the shaping of the town,” said Corcoran. “We’re trying to be business-friendly, and we’re trying to widen our tax base.”