FARMINGTON – Ten years of service as a selectmen is coming to an end for board Chairman Charles Murray.

Murray announced his decision to not seek re-election in March at the board’s Tuesday meeting.

“I decided there is a time when you can effectively pay back the town for what it’s given you, then there’s a time for different people to serve,” Murray said Wednesday.

After 10 years it seemed to be the time for someone else to carry on, he said.

Murray was prompted to run for office at a time when the board was in turmoil, he said. Conflicts were occurring between board members as well as with the town manager and they had no clear direction. Murray felt his background in business could help solve that problem, he said.

“It happened that the people elected along with me fit together and the problem has not arisen since. Board members disagree but we work together,” he added.

Murray served as vice-chairman of the board until Mary Wright’s death last year when he became chairman and was re-elected chairman this year.

“He’s been a good selectmen and we’ll miss him,” said Town Manager Richard Davis on Wednesday.

Murray’s business experience brought natural leadership to the board. He retired as chief executive officer of Bass Shoe Co. after working 19 years. Earlier, he was CEO of two other shoe companies, and before that ran 10 divisions of a New York company.

While Murray recently expressed hope that the board would work to make the southern entrance to town more appealing, the need to keep expenses down for taxpayers is a concern.

“It’s a beautiful town and a great place to live,” he said, adding, “It’s a good board and we have a good town manager in Dick Davis.”

Murray plans to take more time for himself and family, his wife, Amanda, three children and seven grandchildren.

His commitment to this town has him involved in several other ways.

Murray was working on the books for Old South Church Wednesday where he serves as treasurer. He just completed a 10-year term on Franklin Memorial Hospital’s Board of Directors and remains on two committees there as well as serving on the school consolidation committee and the University of Maine at Farmington’s Visitor’s Board.

In his spare time, he enjoys skiing, tennis and spending time at the family camp at Clearwater Lake, he said.