NORTH ATTLEBORO -- After a two hour closed door meeting, selectmen decided to wait until Thursday before deciding whether former health agent Karl Drown was wrongly terminated from his job by the board of health.

Drown's union, the United Steelworkers of America, has filed a grievance arguing that the former health agent's dismissal was `` premature, unnecessary and improper.'' It is seeking Drown's reinstatement to his post and all lost earnings.

Drown, who had been in conflict with board members for more than a year, was fired by the board of health in August for alleged problems with his job performance and attitude. Drown says he has been unfairly targeted because he supports fluoridation of town water, which a majority of the board opposes. The board denies that claim.

Drown's quest for reinstatement has already been denied by the board of health and Town Administrator Judith Robbins in the first two steps of the grievance process. If Drown and his union are unhappy with selectmen's decision on the issue, the grievance will land in the hands of a state arbitrator next.

Under open meeting laws, Drown had the right to choose whether to hold the hearing in a closed door session or in public. Although other hearings on the matter have been held in public, Drown requested this one be held in private and declined to comment on his reasons. The move surprised board of health members.

`` I'm a little disturbed at this juncture we're going into executive session when all the other hearings were held in public,'' said Board of Health Chairman Donald Bates.

While selectmen also questioned the decision to go into private session at this point, the board unanimously voted to go into a closed door session because the decision belongs to Drown under state law.

Members of the board of selectmen and Drown declined to comment on the matter because the hearing has not yet concluded.