JAY — Selectmen accepted with regret the resignation of Selectman Steve Barker on Monday night.

Board Chairman Steve McCourt read a letter from Barker citing his reasons for his resignation effective immediately.

“I have enjoyed and taken my role as selectman very seriously along with being a part of the decision-making process for my community and all of us who live and work here,” Barker said in the letter. “However, I do not feel that I am able to make a difference in this capacity. I worry that conflicts arising from well-intended decisions in my roles as a selectmen will filter into my personal and work life.

“Personally, my family is my priority and I choose not to compromise their status or respect based on what is printed in the local newspaper. Socially, I would prefer to run a well-respected business, as I feel I am, and make a difference for my community by providing services to accommodate them in a positive way.”

Barker thanked fellow selectmen for their hard work and said he would continue to support their efforts as they work with Town Manager Ruth Marden Cushman and the departments of the town.

Barker served as a selectman since June 2008 and his term would have ended in June 2011. Prior to that he served on the Budget Committee and was also involved on other committees.

As a selectman, he served on a variety of committees including school consolidation and a Sewer Committee charged with looking into sewer rates.

With the resignation, it leaves some committees without a selectman representative.

Selectman Tom Goding was appointed to serve on the Sewer Committee because he has a residence on town sewer and owns apartment buildings on it. Barker also had properties on the sewer system.

Without Barker, the board has postponed a Dec. 28 meeting between selectmen and the Planning Board because there will not be a quorum. The two boards are working to see if any amendments could be made to the town’s environmental ordinance to alleviate industries having to duplicate requirements for both state and local laws.

Selectmen will also consider holding a special town meeting in February or March to address proposed changes to the sewer ordinance, and a new selectman could be elected at that time.

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