LIVERMORE FALLS – Town Manager Martin Puckett has requested a one-year leave of absence. Selectmen made no decision on the request.

Puckett, who has been town manager since January 2006, received a contract extension until Dec. 31, 2010 in September. He previously told selectmen he didn’t want to extend his contract when it ended in January 2008, but changed his mind.

Selectmen called an emergency meeting Wednesday night to discuss Puckett’s request, which reportedly involves an opportunity with the federal government.

Puckett declined to say more about the leave of absence Thursday.

The board had a regular meeting Monday and another scheduled at 6:30, Monday, Dec. 17, at the town office but Puckett didn’t know about a pending opportunity until after last Monday’s meeting, she said, and needed an answer Wednesday.

Selectmen asked Puckett to go back to representatives of the federal government and ask for more time to prepare so that he could pursue the opportunity later, if he chooses, Knight said.

“We didn’t make a decision on it because I don’t think the board wants to grant it,” she said. “He’s new. We extended him for over a year and we’re not all in favor. We just don’t think it is the right time.”

She believes the federal opportunity would last a year and run from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, she added.

“We told him it is his decision. We don’t have to grant it, but he doesn’t have to accept that answer,” she said, and Puckett could leave the position if he chooses to.