DIXFIELD – An attempt by Town Manager Nanci Allard to appoint a part-time town custodian failed Monday night.

Selectmen voted 4-0 not to appoint Anita Turner for the job. They asked Allard to re-advertise the position.

Last year, Allard said townspeople OK’d a budgeted item to hire one handyman/custodian.

Previously, the town had three people doing the job, but they were let go, and Allard hired one person to do the job of all three, a $2,000 savings, she said.

However, that person subsequently resigned, forcing Allard to advertise for a custodian/handyman to work up to 15 hours a week, for as much as $180 per week, cleaning the town’s three buildings.

When asked by Selectmen Montell Kennedy if the three former custodians had been offered a chance at the position, Allard said no.

“There’s no money in the budget to reinstate the three for the same price,” Allard said.

Kennedy then motioned that Allard re-advertise the position of custodian. Selectmen OK’d it. Later, they told her to place a display ad rather than a help wanted classified ad.

In other business, selectmen are seeking two Dixfield residents to serve on the Police Department Study Committee, which is tasked with studying the possibility of merging Mexico and Dixfield police departments.

Selectmen are also expected to begin searching for someone to serve on the Finance Committee after accepting Chairman Bentley Crosby’s resignation.

Another volunteer is needed to begin filming board meetings for airing on public access television.

Selectmen also denied tax abatements to Walter L. and Norma J. Lehto and Richard A. and Debra Pickett, based on advice from the town’s assessor.