NEW GLOUCESTER — Sixty roads will be posted with weight restrictions at 23,000 pounds beginning on March 8, selectmen agreed Monday.

Public Works Director Ted Shane said the spring thaw requires posting roads to alleviate the damage by heavy loads during mud season.

Shane will determine when it’s safe to lift the limit, which may be earlier than May 15.

Shane also told the board that five roads currently being plowed should be considered to be dropped from the list in the future.

During an informational discussion with the board, he said the roads include Dave Snow Road, Mercier Drive, Morgan Hill Road, Underpass Road and Estes Road from Church Road.

“I am looking for ways to save money,” Shane said.

The roads serve one or two residences, he said, and these are more like driveways with turnarounds.

Selectman Josh McHenry suggested the board consider in the future closing the roads for the winter service only, rather than close the roads completely.

No action was taken.

Budget Committee member Sean Chayer asked the board during audience participation to explain why a full-time assessor’s agent was not hired based on the vote of last June’s special town meeting.

Voters appropriated full funding to keep the assessor’s agent position intact.

However, after the resignation of full-time assessing agent Nancy Pinette in September, the board continued to use O’Donnell Associates of New Gloucester, which provided service with other firms to complete the tax commitment in August when the town’s assessing agent was on medical leave.

Chayer was told the contract never went to bid and O’Donnell is paid hourly for the ongoing assessing work to date.

“The town meeting does not set policy, selectmen make policy,” board Chairman Steve Libby told Chayer. “Assessing is done and very well,” he said.

“For me this has left a bad taste in my mouth,” Chayer said. “It’s semantics. We wanted a full-time assessor at the town meeting. I’ve lost faith in all of you.”

Selectman Josh McHenry said he was feeling uneasy about Chayer’s point.

“I have lingering discomfort for what you’re saying,” McHenry said. “It’s valid. Are we fully interpreting what taxpayers want?”

Code Enforcement Officer Deb Parks is planning to take required classes and testing to qualify for assessing technician in the fall.

The board recently assigned Parks to assessing duties, in addition to her others as code officer and health officer.

“We don’t require a full-time assessor or code enforcement officer now. The demand is not there,” Libby said.