RUMFORD – The recently formed Charter Commission accepted the resignation of one of its elected members last week, then filled the position with one of the write-in candidates a few days later.

Ron Theriault, in a letter dated Oct. 23 to commission Chairman Walter Buotte, wrote that he was resigning because the majority of selectmen agreed to introduce a charter amendment while the commission was in session.

This “is an insult to every member. If the current administration feels that the charter is such a malleable document, their calling for a commission to retool it is a charade. I have neither the time nor the desire to participate in such an activity,” he wrote.

The amendment he referenced involves allowing the town manager, sealer of weights and measures, and town auditor to reside outside of town if approved by selectmen. The board held a public hearing on the proposal Monday night, with the intention of putting the question before voters on Dec. 5. Now the charter requires the people in those positions to reside in town, and none do.

Joseph Roberts, vice chairman of the commission, accepted the letter on behalf of Buotte, who is out of town.

At the commission’s regular meeting Thursday, Roberts said the majority of the members voted by secret ballot to appoint Harry Burns. Burns had received 81 write-in votes during the Charter Commission election in September, as did Linda Macgregor.

Roberts said Burns, Macgregor and former state legislator Rob Cameron were nominated to replace Theriault.

He said, too, that he tried to convince Theriault to work for his beliefs from within the organization.

Members present during Thursday’s commission vote were Jim Thibodeau, Eugene Boivin, Carlo Puiia, Dick Lovejoy, Linda Couture, Linda French and Roberts.

Also at last week’s meeting, Roberts said the commission plans to conduct research on the positions of tax collector and town clerk/treasurer as it relates to qualifications, recall procedures and how the positions are filled.

At the commission’s next meeting on Nov. 9, Puiia is expected to make a presentation on the duties and responsibilities of tax collector. The town clerk/treasurer will make a similar presentation at a later date.

Other issues under study include the possibility of requiring training for all elected officials, new wording for write-in candidates, and the possibility of expanding the number of selectmen from five to seven.

, among other matters.

The commission is charged with updating and modifying the 50-year-old document. Once complete, it will go before selectmen for a review, then to voters for action.