OXFORD – Selectmen have set a special election for 6:30 p.m. Oct. 21 to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Selectman Mike Thompson.

The election will be held by secret ballot after nominations are received from the floor at the meeting.

There is no need for candidates to fill out nomination papers beforehand, interim Town Manager Sharon Jackson said.

“We’re going to put some ads in the paper, and hopefully some of the people (who run) will make their intentions known ahead of time,” she said.

Selectmen on Thursday formally accepted the verbal resignation of Thompson, who announced he was quitting and walked out of the Sept. 16 meeting. Thompson was angry at several residents who were strongly criticizing selectmen for their choice of a new town manager.

Thompson had nine months to go before his term expired next June. His replacement will fill the unexpired portion of his term.

The special election will precede the regular selectmen’s meeting.