By Kelly Morgan,Staff Writer

HARTFORD – Rick Downing may have forced a new race for his seat on the Hartford Board of Selectmen on Thursday by handing in his resignation.

Downing was scheduled to be sworn in at the annual town meeting June 25. He cited legal concerns as his reason for refusing to assume the post as he spoke with Selectman Lee Holman and Town Clerk Zoe Cowett after an informal meeting.

“My legal adviser told me that whether I work or not, I can’t live on $12 a day,” Downing said. He explained that he was concerned about being subpoenaed to appear in court due to problems that occurred during a May 17 municipal election. Twelve dollars a day, he said, is what he was told the court pays when someone is subpoenaed, or required to make a court appearance.

Downing said he is afraid someone might take the town to court to contest the outcome of the elections. He pointed out that he narrowly beat fellow candidate Jason Rowe, 96-93.

Because of problems such as the ballot box being opened before the close of polls and a number of ballots being removed, Downing said he believed the race could be challenged.

When asked whether he would consider running for the seat again, however, he said, “Probably so if the town would have me.”

Holman, the town’s only selectman after the March 3 resignation of Scott Swain and the May 27 resignation of Laura Marston, said Downing had announced his intention step down at a SAD 39 board meeting the night before.

She said she plans to call town attorney Geoffrey Hole tomorrow to see what should be done.

Holman had started to ask Downing if he would consider being sworn in early so the board could resume regular business, but he gave her his letter before she finished asking.

Before Holman’s conversation with Downing, residents Leslie and Daryl Boness had expressed their concerns about the May 17 elections and suggested the town would be better off to start over. Leslie Boness said a town needs the “full faith” of its residents to run properly.

Thursday’s meeting was never called to order because Holman can take no official action as a single selectman. It was held so SAD 39 Superintendent Rick Colpitts could present the proposed school district budget, which totals $5,949,952.