Boothbay Selectman Charles Cunningham told Frank Fassett it was time to “stop beating a dead horse” during the Feb. 25 board meeting.

Cunningham and Fassett sparred over the board’s decision in January not to renegotiate outgoing Town Manager James Chaousis’ contract.

On Feb. 11, four selectmen announced their stance on a proposed contract that would have extend Chaousis’ stay by three years. Selectmen Steven Lewis, Dale Harmon and Stephen Ham responded to Fassett’s inquiry, stating they favored the proposal. Selectman Douglas Burnham opposed it.

The only selectman who hadn’t announced his position during a board meeting was Cunningham. He missed the Feb. 11 meeting. He attended the Central Maine Power and Maine Public Utilities Commission workshop in Boothbay Harbor instead.

Fassett received Cunningham’s response on Feb. 25, but not before the selectman lectured the Boothbay Harbor resident about his persistence.

“No, I wasn’t here (last meeting), but I will answer your question. And it will be wrapped up tonight,” Cunningham said. “I can tell you, Frank, you’ve been beating a dead horse for a month and half.”

Cunningham acknowledged that he opposed the proposed contract extension. Like Burnham, Cunningham was against offering the town manager an annual $5,000 performance bonus and the option to take half his healthcare benefits in cash.

“I don’t believe municipal officials should get performance bonuses. That’s what raises are for,” Cunningham said. “I don’t believe they should receive paid out benefits as part of salary, either. That’s what benefits are for. If you choose not to take them, then you chose not to take them.”

Cunningham chastised Fassett for making a big deal over Boothbay’s town manager when he was a Boothbay Harbor resident.

“Quite a few people in the region have told me that someone who doesn’t live in the town shouldn’t be discussing this,” Cunningham said. “I can tell you, Frank, you’ve talked about this enough.”

While Fassett is not a Boothbay resident, he is a property owner in the town. Fassett told the board he owns 21 acres in Boothbay. He added that the selectmen could have wrapped up the issue by answering his questions in the beginning.

“You could’ve answered all these questions four meetings ago,” Fassett said. “I’m not here criticizing the decision. I just want to find the answers so the same mistakes won’t be made in the future. I’m here to find solutions, not fault.”

Cunningham responded: “I’m sorry your friend is leaving.”

“Whoa, whoa, hang on,” Fassett said. “I’m not a voter, but I do pay taxes. Much of my livelihood depends upon what goes on here. So if you don’t want me involved, vote me down, and don’t let me speak. This has nothing to do with him being my friend.

“I see this as a loss to the town, and something that didn’t have to happen.”

Chaousis’ final day as town manager is Feb. 27. He begins his new job on March 2 as the Rockland city manager.

So far, Boothbay has received 24 applications for the town manager position. The application period ended at 5 p.m. on Feb. 27. The selectmen expect to begin reviewing applications next week.