POLAND — The Board of Selectmen voted 3-2 Tuesday to terminate the town’s contract with Town Manager Rosemary Kulow, effective immediately.

The action was taken following an executive session to discuss the manager’s performance appraisal after her first year on the job.

Board Chairwoman Wendy Sanborn, Larry Moreau and Jim Fernald voted for the termination, while Steve Robinson and Lester Stevens opposed it.

“We wish her the best in the future. She is very knowledgeable, but it wasn’t to be,” Sanborn said.

Contacted Wednesday, Kulow said that the board’s action came as a shock.

“The meeting started off being rattled by the earthquake and ended with my dismissal. It’s an evening I won’t soon forget, Oct. 16, 2012,” Kulow said.

Prior to coming to Poland in early October 2011, Kulow had been town manager in Rockland for three years, a position she left in order to return to New Gloucester and the house she had been unable to sell.

Kulow had been town manager in New Gloucester before going to Rockland.

“I’m sorry this happened. I wish the residents of Poland the very best as they move forward,” Kulow said.

Sanborn said Rosemary Roy, assistant town manager, will assume Kulow’s duties for the time being, and the board will discuss hiring an interim town manager at its next regular meeting Nov. 7.

Kulow was unsure whether she will be looking for another position as town manager.

“After yesterday I may be looking in another direction,” Kulow said.

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