ANDOVER – Selectman Trudy Akers just wants to get on with the multitude of municipal affairs facing this small town.

At last week’s general election, an effort to recall board Chairman Susan Merrow went down to defeat by a 289-263 vote.

“We’re hoping the town will be back to business. There are tax maps to be updated, a new computer system to install, and the school consolidation issue,” Akers said Friday afternoon.

Merrow, who was elected to a three-year term on the board in March, said Friday afternoon that municipal issues must be taken care of, including possible replacement of the boiler at the town hall and an energy audit. She said the Budget Committee will soon meet, as well. She declined further comment.

Akers said the town’s provision for recalling elected officials was used just once before many years ago. At that time, the selectman in question lost his seat, she said.

Resident Phil Milligan, who could not be reached on Friday, circulated the petition that forced the recall vote. Akers said the petition stated as reasons for the potential recall, conflict of interest and failure to perform in the interest of the town.

The town has had its ups and downs during the past few months with several selectmen resigning their positions for various reasons. Akers, who had served six years as a selectman several years ago, replaced Jeff Rainey who resigned late last spring. Akers’ term is up in March 2009 when the annual town meeting is held.

Also at the November elections, Keith Farrington won the vote to complete the three-member board. Farrington had to resign his seat on the SAD 44 school board because holding school board and selectmen positions simultaneously is a conflict of interest. He remains on the Region 9 School of Applied Technology board. He has also served on the SAD 44/SAU 37 Reorganizational Planning Committee which is working toward an administrative consolidation. SAD 44 is based in Bethel and Andover is one of the member towns. SAU 37 is based in Rangeley.