OXFORD – Now that Michael Thompson has quit the Board of Selectmen, the remaining selectmen must decide whether to call an election to fill his seat.

Selectmen are not required to hold a special election before the annual town meeting next June, but they have the option of doing so. The election could be held Nov. 2, according to legal advice the town received from the Maine Municipal Association.

Thompson had nine months to go on his term when he walked out of last week’s meeting. At a special meeting Thursday, selectmen are expected to formally vote to accept his resignation.

Thompson quit the board once before this year, but he reconsidered his decision and was allowed back.

Selectmen asked whether Thompson’s resignation needed to be in writing to be official. MMA lawyer Richard Flewelling told interim Town Manager Sharon Jackson that an oral resignation is also legal.

A resignation can be withdrawn, however, until it is accepted by the board, Flewelling said. He said the board needs to vote to accept Thompson’s resignation, and added that “a vote by the remaining selectmen to call a special election to fill the vacancy would constitute, in effect, a vote to accept the resignation.”

Thompson walked out after several residents strongly criticized the board for passing over Jackson for the town manager’s job in favor of Michael Chammings, the financial director of the town of Mount Desert.

Also on Thursday’s agenda will be a discussion of whether to demolish the former Cozy Cat Country Store on Route 26, which has been heavily damaged by fire.

Selectmen will also consider bids on work needed at the transfer station.

The meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. in the Town Office on Pleasant Street.