PARIS – Ernest Fitts III was appointed chairman of the Board of Selectmen on Monday.

He replaces Barbara Payne, who served for one year before losing her seat during the election June 12.

Fitts was nominated by David Ivey and seconded by Glen Young, both elected this month to their first terms. Selectman Gerald Kilgore voted against Fitts and Raymond Glover abstained.

Ivey was chosen vice chairman.

The leadership changes will go into effect at the next selectmen’s meeting.

During the citizens’ comments portion of the meeting, Joan Moorehead said the town needed more recreational and cultural attractions. She suggested the creation of bike paths, the utilization of the Little Androscoggin River and a farmers’ market in Moore Park.

“Trails and jogging paths are the No. 1 thing that people are looking for in a new community,” said Moorehead.

The suggestion prompted questioning of a $400 fee paid on subdivision developments, which goes toward recreational use. The issue had been discussed at the annual town meeting, where some residents asked why the fees could not be put toward ballpark repairs.

“Those funds wouldn’t be approved at a town meeting,” Town Manager Sharon Jackson said at Monday’s meeting. She said the subdivision funds are used for new development, not improvements, and by the parks and recreation fund but not to supplement its operating budget, which is approved at town meeting.

Jackson said anyone may make suggestions to the parks and recreation committee. The committee will make a purchase order for a project, go over it with the town manager, and submit the order to a financial officer. The funds are approved by selectmen.

Also during citizens’ comments, Chris Stearns said the Department of Environmental Protection was brought in for a site walk on a six-lot subdivision, for which he is seeking approval from the Planning Board. He said the property was a minor subdivision and did not necessitate a DEP inspection.

“Someone in the town overstepped their bounds,” he said.

Kilgore and Jackson both suggested that Stearns take the issue to Claude Rounds, the town code enforcement officer.

Stearns was recently involved in a civil action against Rounds and selectmen in which the town sought to vacate a variance granted by the Board of Appeals that would allow any roads within a subdivision on Bumptown Road to be unpaved. Justice Robert E. Crowley ruled in favor of the town.

The next selectmen’s meeting will be at 7 p.m. July 9 at the Paris Town Office.