DURHAM – Selectmen instructed administrative assistant John White at their meeting Tuesday night to draft a letter to the City Council of Brewer offering their personal support for a resolution that “implores” the governor and the Legislature to fully implement the “will of the people” on Question 1.

But most agreed that the selectmen probably couldn’t comply with the main thrust of the resolution – which would dedicate the bulk of any additional education funds to reducing the local tax rate – because it really isn’t applicable to Durham’s form of government.

Selectman Mike VanDerWerf strongly supported the resolution, which would dedicate state funds made available as a result of the passage of referendum Question 1 to mill rate reduction.

Chairman Wesley Bennett felt the selectmen’s support for the resolution would have little impact.

“Even though we as selectmen support it, we in Durham have no say in how money is spent … town meeting spends the money; the voters decide.” In Brewer, the City Council has the final say on spending.

Undaunted, VanDerWerf said he strongly supported Brewer’s position and suggested that maybe other town departments and boards could join with selectmen in supporting the resolution.

Bennett noted that in a town meeting/selectmen form of government, all spending decisions are made by voters. But he said he would have no problem if the board sent a letter lending its personal support for the idea. A draft of the letter will be reviewed at the next board meeting.

In other business, the Shiloh Road Bridge will be closed for reconstruction from July 26 through Aug. 16. A notice will be posted on the town Web site and on the public access cable channel.

The board heard a report that the water tank on the Fire Department’s Engine 3 is leaking again, and that arrangements will be made to have it repaired.

In an update to selectmen, surveyor John Mann of Mann Associates said there appears to be strong indications that the town does indeed own 10 acres on the Swamp Road, a situation that was discovered when the town tax mapping was originally done years ago.

More research needs to be done, he said, adding that one-half of the parcel is “definitely” town property. He expects to have a report ready for selectmen by the end of the month.

A resignation from the Board of Appeals was accepted, and the board decided to advertise for a replacement. The latest resignation leaves the board with three members: Eleanor Margerison, Gary Wood and Susie Saunders.