NORTH ATTLEBORO - Selectmen plan to call for a meeting to determine whether there are any issues in the conservation department that need to be resolved, following the resignation of a third member from the conservation commission.

Selectmen read and accepted the resignation of member Dennis Connor on Thursday, who said he was leaving the board due to health issues and due to unspecified issues within the department, which he declined to discuss.

With Connor's resignation, there are now three vacancies on the seven-member board.

The decision to read Connor's resignation letter sparked some debate amongst selectmen, some of whom did not want it read publicly.

"I take it as an attack on the conservation department," said Selectman Paul Belham, who urged the board to accept the resignation without reading the letter aloud. Selectmen Chairman John Rhyno said the board has always read resignation letters publicly and should not change its policy now. The resignation letter is a public record. However, Selectman Mark Williamson pointed out that the board did not read aloud the full resignation letter from a former election commissioner because it contained medical information.

Connor's letter was read aloud.

He wrote in part:

"It has become increasingly apparent than I can no longer, in good conscience to serve on this board. It has been a pleasure and honor to serve the town in this capacity for the last six years. There is an inner problem that exists that has aided in the loss of 44 years of combined experience on this board in the last seven months. It is a shame but as a appointed volunteer board, there comes a time when enough is enough."

Connor also said he hoped a meeting with Human Resources Director Cathy Caliccia would resolve the issues but "that attempt has failed."

Selectman Dale Langille asked that a meeting be scheduled with the remaining conservation commission members to determine whether any issues exist in the department.

Belham and Selectman Mark Williamson, who are the board's liaisons with the conservation department will attend the meeting.