WEST BROOKFIELD — With the town's longtime treasurer recently resigning, selectmen voted Tuesday to have residents decide if they want to switch the treasurer from elected to appointed.<br /><br />The question was one of 35 items approved by selectmen Tuesday for inclusion on the May 13 annual town meeting agenda, and if it is approved selectmen would make the treasurer appointment.<br /><br />In the past residents here have balked at changing elective jobs to appointive, expressing the view that such a move erodes the voters' right to choose.<br /><br />But some town officials believe that leaving key town positions to a popularity vote is unwise because there is always the risk that the person elected may be unqualified. They say that the town treasurer is an important job that requires specific knowledge.<br /><br />Keith R. Arsenault of West Brookfield served as elected treasurer for about 22 years and decided to step down as of March 15 because he and the town could not reach an agreement on either increasing his salary or adjusting it. The job is part time, paying about $31,000 a year.<br /><br />Selectmen recently decided to offer the job on an interim basis to assistant treasurer Teri A. Roberts, who they said plans to run for the post in the annual town election in May.