He was elected to the board in 2007.

Anderson said he was ready to take time off to focus on family and his private investigation business but would miss the camaraderie of working with other selectmen, board members and town residents.

“I think that both my supporters and detractors are tired of hearing me say the same thing. I just need a year down,” he said after Monday selectmen’s meeting. “I’ve got a son that’s going to be looking at college this next year, and we’re going to be seeing as many of those as possible.”

Anderson’s announcement came as a surprise to his fellow board members, who expressed regret that he would be stepping down.

Selectman Lew Stone said he was “shocked” by the decision.

“You’re going to be missed on the board,” he said. “We haven’t always agreed on this board, but that’s healthy. I’m very sorry you made that decision.”

Selectman Bill Boulter, who has occasionally ribbed Anderson for his single-minded approach to the town hiring freeze, said disagreements made them a stronger board and that he had enjoyed working with Anderson.

“Who am I going to throw rocks at?” he joked.

Anderson said he hoped his open seat would encourage others to get involved in town government.

“As board members, we maybe inspire others to get involved, because they look at us and they go, ‘If these guys can do it, I can do it,’” he said. “So maybe a fresh face here will bring on a whole group of people that they know and have influence over — you never know.”

He plans to remain a member of the Energy Committee and said he hasn’t ruled out another run for selectman in the future. In the mean time, he plans to stay involved in town government — but from the other side of the table.

“I’ll be asking the selectmen some questions, I’m sure,” he said.

On Wednesday, Greg Hanley, who recently stepped down from the Zoning Board of Appeals to join the Housing Authority, announced he planned to take out nomination papers to run for Anderson’s seat on the Board of Selectmen.

“I wouldn’t run against Don Anderson. Don was doing the job,” Hanley said. “I felt very comfortable with the leadership that we have, but now that the seat’s open ...”

Hanley said he still plans to run for election to the Housing Authority seat he was appointed to in December. He also is a member of the Recreation Commission and Wage and Personnel Board and has chaired both boards as well as the Zoning Board of Appeals.

“It’s the next logical step for me in terms of my community service,” he said of the selectman seat. “I think I have a better-than-the-everyday-citizen knowledge of how Pembroke government has worked over the last seven years [in town]. I think I’m qualified for the job, and I’m looking forward to it.”

Hanley said he planned to pull papers this week.

Also in the last week, incumbent Library Trustee Kathleen Catano? pulled papers to run for her three-year seat. Housing Authority incumbent Valerie Kroon, Planning Board incumbent Tom Irving, incumbent DPW Commissioner Hank Daggett and new Board of Health candidate Vincent Flaherty had all filed their nomination papers as of Tuesday.

Nomination papers are available in the town clerk’s office and can be picked up through Thursday, March 11. The last day to submit nomination papers to the registrars for certification is Monday, March 15. The last day to file papers with the town clerk is Monday, March 29. The last day to withdraw candidacy is Wednesday, March 31.

Wednesday, April 7 is the last day to register to vote in the town election.