The Damariscotta board of selectmen is going to be shorthanded for a little while.

Damariscotta selectman David Atwater has resigned from the board. Atwater has served on the board since 2010.

During a special board of selectmen meeting Friday, April 3, the board unanimously accepted Atwater's resignation, which was dated April 1.

According to a letter he wrote the selectmen, Atwater apparently didn't feel comfortable with some of the directions the board has taken. He didn't specify which actions those were, however.

The letter, which was addressed to Selectmen’s Chairman Ronn Orenstein, stated: “Effectively immediately, I am resigning from the board of selectmen. Since my positions are contrary to the direction town management is going, I feel I can no longer represent my constituency and therefore I'm stepping aside.”

Atwater's resignation will leave the board short one member until the May 6 town meeting. Because the date of the resignation and the election, a replacement won't be appointed to the board. Atwater's replacement will serve the remainder of his term, which is for one more year.

Deputy Town Clerk Michelle Cameron said that if the vacancy was for four months or longer, there would need to be a special election. But, because town meeting is close at hand, Damariscotta will operate with a four-member board until a replacement is voted in.

Voters will also vote to reelect or replace Robin Mayer, whose three-year term expires this spring. Mayer accepted Atwater's resignation, but grudgingly, she said.

“It's a shame to lose him on the board,” she said. “He was just such a valued member of the board for a number of years.”

Selectman James Cosgrove said he didn't understand why Atwater was leaving.

“I don't know what his issue is, I'm disappointed with David,” he said. “I think he's been an extremely hardworking, conscientious selectman, but if there is an issue, there's a least one selectmen not aware of what it is.

“That tells me Dave is not communicating effectively himself, and is not advocating whatever position it is or whatever issue it is he is unhappy about.

“Maybe it's entirely appropriate that now is the time that he's leaving the board. So, I'm certainly not going to stand in his way.”