After repeated absence from meetings, a member of the Salem Conservation Commission has been fired by selectmen.

On Monday, Dec. 4, selectmen unanimously voted to remove Olga Gouza from her position on the commission because she has not been attending meetings or communicating with officials.

Gouza’s term on the commission was not due to end until April 2008, but according to other officials, she hasn’t participated since November 2005.

Commission Chairman George Jones said he’s uncertain why Gouza stopped attending meetings and returning phone calls.

Jones sent a letter to selectmen in October requesting Gouza’s removal from the commission.

He had repeatedly asked Gouza to either participate or resign since she stopped attending meetings, Jones said.

The commission’s rules allow for the chairman to call for dismissal after a member has three or more unexcused absences, Jones said. Gouza’s absences total at least 12, he said.

Gouza regularly attended meetings from her appointment in March 2005 until November 2005, Jones said.

Jones said the commission was forced to use alternates to serve in Gouza’s place but did not have to cancel any meetings.

Though she did not return phone calls seeking comment on her reason for missing meetings, some officials said she might have missed them because she was caring for an ill family member.

Selectmen Chairman Michael Lyons said he contacted Gouza when Jones initially submitted his letter.

Gouza confirmed that she was taking care of a sick family member but did not explain why she had not formally resigned.

She only told Lyons that her attendance would improve.

But after she did not attend the next meeting, Lyons and selectmen were forced to take action, he said.

“I sympathize with her situation – it’s not the first time that a person on a town board has said they have other things going on,” he said. “What’s rare is that she didn’t resign.”

Town Manager Henry LaBranche said the town will work to find a replacement for Gouza.

“Ultimately, an appointment will be made after a call for candidates,” he said.