MINOT – Selectmen have begun a search for a new town administrator to replace Rhonda Irish, whose resignation they accepted at Tuesday night’s special meeting.

Irish told selectmen she was resigning so that she could accept the position of town manager in Wilton.

“I really, really like Minot a lot. It’s a great community so this was a very difficult decision,” Irish said.

Irish, who expects to receive her master’s degree in public administration from the University of Maine in May, has served Minot for nearly four years. Selectmen were reluctantly happy for her as she moves on to Wilton.

“It’s the right thing for her. We’re glad for her and, we told her when we accepted her resignation, she set the bar high for the next person,” selectmen Steve French said.

Irish noted that one of Minot’s more attractive attributes is the number of people who really care about their community and work diligently in its support.

“In that respect, Minot and Wilton are quite alike. I’ve lived in Jay since 1982, next town over to Wilton, and have long observed how the people of Wilton care about their community. I’m looking forward to going to Wilton,” Irish said.

On Wednesday, Irish was preparing newspaper ads and postings on the Maine Municipal Association Web site advising of a Feb. 12 deadline for applications for Minot’s town administrator position.

According to French, Irish’s last day in Minot will be Friday, Feb. 20, sufficient time to prepare the warrant for the annual March town meeting and assist selectmen in reviewing applicants for her replacement.