LIVERMORE FALLS – Selectmen voted 3-2 Monday to deny Town Manager Martin Puckett’s request for a one-year leave of absence to work overseas.

On Tuesday, select board Chairwoman Jackie Knight said she received a call from Puckett telling her that he declined the opportunity to help developing countries.

He was to have gone to Washington Tuesday for testing in relationship to the overseas work.

Knight said Puckett told her he plans to stay as town manager in Livermore Falls.

Puckett will be back in the town office on Thursday, she added.

The town manager was offered an opportunity to become part of an international team helping developing countries and emerging democracies, and Puckett said Friday that he would have used the skills he gained overseas in Livermore Falls when he returned.

In favor of granting the request were select board Chairwoman Jackie Knight and Ernie Souther; against were David Lemire, Melanie Rounds and Louise Chabot, Knight said after the meeting.