Road Commissioner Sam Snow casts his vote March 16 during the Pittston annual town meeting at Pittston-Randolph Consolidated School. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal file

PITTSTON — The standoff over pay between the Pittston Select Board and Road Commissioner Sam Snow has ended, with the board voting Wednesday to reverse its decision to withhold payment over concerns about Snow’s job performance.

Following a 20-minute executive session Wednesday, the board voted 2-1 to begin paying Snow again under the stipulation that he follows road maintenance guidelines set forth by the Maine Municipal Association. Chair Jane Hubert and Cathy Thomas, a member of the board, voted in favor of paying Snow, while Selectman Joe Caputo voted against it.

Caputo did not say why he voted against paying Snow.

The Select Board voted unanimously June 26 to withhold the biannual stipend of $6,000 that Snow receives as the town’s elected road commissioner.

The board cited Snow’s failure to complete some road repairs and his work on Jewett Road, which now needs up to $2 million in repairs. Selectmen said Snow had ignored the board’s requests to discuss road repair plans.

Under Maine law, a road commissioner is in charge of planning road and highway maintenance in a municipality.

As an elected official, Snow does not report to the Select Board. The board has repeatedly told Snow, however, to keep it informed of planned road repairs because the board oversees the town’s budget. Board members have said that while Snow has agreed to do that, he has not followed through.

Hubert said continuing to withhold Snow’s pay is not worth dividing the town in another legal battle, referring to the recent recall vote of Caputo that failed, but cost the town about $9,000 in legal fees.

“I believe Sam has not performed as road commissioner, but to put the town through another series of legal action and division of the town, it’s not worth it,” Hubert said following the executive session.

Snow’s stipend will be released to him with the stipulation that future payments will be considered based on how well he follows the Maine Municipal Association’s Guide to Municipal Roads Manual, which outlines guidelines to follow to maintain roadwork.

An executive session is a period of time during a public meeting when a governing body, such as a Select Board, can meet outside the public’s view for certain reasons specified in statute. The board must state the specific nature of the matter to be discussed in private.

The executive session was not on the official agenda for the night. However, the amended agenda, which Hubert announced at the start of the meeting, said the session was called for a legal matter.

Thomas asked Snow why he has not heeded the Select Board’s request that he attend the board’s Monday work sessions.

Hubert said she understands it is difficult to be at a Monday morning meeting when one has a full-time job, as Snow does. But, she said, the board seeks to discuss the road maintenance guidelines with Snow to set specific goals. She said some of the guidelines do not pertain to Snow’s role as road commissioner.

“I’m here Wednesday night (for the regular Select Board meeting),” Snow said. “I told you, I can’t meet at 9 a.m. Monday. I’m here Wednesday.”

Pittston residents elect the road commissioner every year. Snow has held the role for more than 10 years.

Snow’s lawyer, Benjamin Smith, did not respond to a request for comment.