NEW GLOUCESTER — Selectmen terminated the employment of Assessing Agent Nancy Pinette after a closed-session meeting late Monday night.

Town Manager Sumner Field III said Tuesday that the board voted to terminate Pinette’s employment and provide her with one month of severance pay, roughly $4,000.

Pinette has been on the job for seven years and has been on sick leave since early May, though she tried to return to duty in early July for two weeks before going on sick leave again.

“There is a huge backlog of work that needs to be completed and abatement applications are pending,” Field said. “A number of changes to records is needed and the town is now in a difficult situation.”

During Pinette’s 18-week medical leave, selectmen approved hiring a team of assessing agents to complete the town’s tax commitment so tax bills could be mailed.

“We received information from her doctor that she would be out for an extended period of time, into November,” Field said.

During the budget process that began last January, Field recommended that the position be outsourced to private assessing companies to save the town money. A proposal to fund assessing at $45,000 was turned down in May by voters, who turned down other municipal funding accounts in a warrant article that included eight accounts.

A special town meeting in June brought selectmen and the Budget Committee together to stand firm to fund assessing to outsource the service.

Another article asked for full funding of assessing services to protect the town employee position. It was overwhelmingly approved by voters.

Pinette was reached by telephone on Tuesday. “I feel so bad because the residents fought so hard for the position to be restored,” she said. “Unfortunately, my health issues have impacted me. I will miss the citizens and my co-workers. I really loved my job.”

Pinette said she was offered the opportunity to attend the closed session but refused for health reasons.

Field said staff could handle some of the field work and clerical tasks. John E. O’Donnell and Associates of New Gloucester will provide technical support, including training to operate the assessing software program.