OTISFIELD – A SAD 17 director may continue to serve the town despite living out of the area, selectmen decided Tuesday.

At the special meeting, selectmen decided against forwarding the resignation of Tom Moore to the school board. Moore, who rents a home in Norway but is registered to vote in Otisfield, has one more year to serve as a director.

Selectman Mark Cyr said he held several conversations with the Maine Municipal Association after the town meeting June 21. At that meeting, Moore said he had resigned after being requested to do so by selectmen, but found out that he could continue to serve under state law.

Cyr said an automatic vacancy occurs if someone on the board of directors buys a home, registers to vote, or registers an automobile outside of their representative area. Cyr said Moore will have to demonstrate his ability to vote in Otisfield when the registry is checked.

“Someone else could challenge this,” Cyr said. “There’s people on both sides of the fence, obviously.”

At town meeting, voters approved reducing the term of the SAD 17 director up for election from three years to one year and tabling the vote.

“It was very clear to me at town meeting that there was a preponderance of people who wanted Tom to continue,” Chairman Hal Ferguson said.

Resident Lenny Adler said he appreciated Moore’s service, but believed that the board representative required a presence in the community.

“I believe if he wants to represent Otisfield, he should live in Otisfield,” Adler said.

Moore said he may move to Otisfield “if the opportunity arises.”