NEW GLOUCESTER – Selectmen have narrowed the search for a new town manager to three finalists.

The Board of Selectmen received 73 applicants in a search launched with the help of Maine Municipal Association in late September, following the resignation of Town Manager Rosemary Kulow on Sept. 18.

Selectmen Lenora Conger on Saturday said the board has held several special selectmen meetings in executive session, some not publicly posted, as required by law, to conduct interviews with perspective candidates and deal with negotiations. Earlier, Conger said she was not aware that the meetings had to be posted publicly.

On Thursday the board posted through town staff an agenda listing three special meetings to be held off-site of town premises. The meetings were slated to go into executive session. Two were scheduled at Pineland Commons on Oct. 31 and Nov. 2 and one on Nov. 1 at Mario’s Restaurant in Upper Gloucester. The meeting at Mario’s was canceled, said Conger, because the candidate was unable to attend.

Conger said the board would meet Monday, then go into executive session. She said the board hoped to name a new town manager following the closed meeting.