Westport Island’s longtime second selectman, Gerald Bodmer, received fellow town officials’ praise Monday night for his service. Bodmer had just announced, due to health reasons, he will not seek re-election in June.

“I’m sorry to hear that, Jerry. You’ve been a great asset on the board,” First Selectman George Richardson said. “And we’ve had a lot of fun together ... and I appreciate your sense of humor.”

Bodmer said he will support whoever succeeds him. He plans to stay on as plumbing inspector. He said he has held that post for 42-plus years.  

Town office staff told Bodmer it will be sad not having him on the board. He said the staff have been wonderful and are like part of his family; they said they felt the same.

Nominations for the June 8 elections opened Monday, Town Clerk Julie Casson said in email responses later. Besides a three-year term for second selectman, two Sheepscot Valley Regional School Unit seats – one for three years, one for two – will be on the ballot. Papers are due back at the town office by the close of business April 9. Voting is at the old town hall, times to be announced.

Also in Monday’s UberConference call, Richardson reported he has notified Maine Department of Transportation the town wants 120 tons of salt through the state’s bidding process; and the town’s new calendar is live at westportisland.us

The board appointed Jeffrey Wheeler to Wright House Committee and renewed Evan Goodkowsky’s assessing contract, at $40 an hour.