For the third straight meeting, Boothbay Harbor resident Frank Fassett questioned the Boothbay selectmen about their decision not to extend the town manager’s contract.

In his first attempt, Fassett discovered a contract extension was discussed during an executive session. At the second meeting, he discovered a majority of selectmen favored extending the contract by three years.

And on Feb. 11, in his third round of questioning, the selectmen revealed to him that it was Town Manager James Chaousis’ decision to break off the negotiations.

Fassett polled the four board members present, which revealed Selectmen Steven Lewis, Dale Harmon and Stephen Ham favored the proposed contract extension, while Selectman Douglas Burnham did not. Selectman Charles Cunningham was absent.

The proposed contract would have increased Chaousis base pay by $1,000, provided him with the option of taking half of his health benefits in cash, and an annual $5,000 performance bonus. The selectmen would vote on the bonus each year. Also, if Chaousis left before the contract expired, he would be required to return the bonus.

Based on information provided by Chaousis, the proposal would have increased his compensation and saved the town $17,603 over three years.

Fassett has told the selectmen repeatedly, that based on Chaousis’ past performance and the potential savings, made the decision a “no-brainer” to extend the contract.

But Burnham disagreed. He told Fassett during the Feb. 11 board meeting that his reluctance to support the proposal was due to the performance bonus provision.

“If the bonus wasn’t included then things might have turned out differently,” Burnham said. “I didn’t like that word. He is not a CEO (chief executive officer) and we don’t give out bonuses.”

Lewis said he didn’t mind explaining his position, but he believed the other selectmen should speak for themselves. Lewis said the matter is over, and the board should now focus on finding a new town manager.

“Unfortunately, it’s happened and we can’t go back,” he said. “All we can do is look forward and hope to find a great candidate.”

The selectmen will meet with David Barnett of the Maine Municipal Association at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 25 to discuss the town manager search. Barnett is working as the board’s consultant.

Lewis said the board expects to begin interviews by mid-March.

Chaousis’ last day is on Feb. 27. The selectmen will host a farewell party that day from 5-7 p.m. The event will be held at the Boothbay Craft Brewery. The public is invited.