SOMERSET — The three members of the Board of Selectmen said yesterday they have no intention of bringing back John McAuliffe as Somerset’s administrator.

Speculation about McAuliffe’s return has been circulating because Patrick O’Neil, who succeeded in regaining his seat on the board Monday, was a McAuliffe supporter, as was the current chairman, William Meehan.

McAuliffe left in August to take a similar job in Wareham, Mass.

In addition, the six-month probationary period for the new administrator, Dennis Luttrell, expires in July, during which the selectmen could fire him if they wanted.

Selectman Lorne Lawless, who reported the rumor at last night’s meeting, said he wanted to make it clear that he had no intention of replacing Luttrell.

“I know Dennis has done a great job since I’ve been here. He’s gotten me all the answers I needed,” Lawless said.

“Let me assure you [the rumor] is false,” Meehan said.

“I don’t intend to bring back Mr. McAuliffe,” O’Neil said. “That rumor is just what it is, a rumor.”

In brief procedural business that took place at 5 p.m. just before the board went into executive session, Meehan was quickly reelected chairman.

However, there was disagreement over who would head the Board of Health.

“I’d love to have the Board of Health,” O’Neil said.

“I’d love to stay,” said Lawless, the current chairman.

Meehan said it would “probably be easier” to name O’Neil to head the health board, explaining after the meeting that Lawless would be better as the clerk, for continuity reasons, because Lawless is familiar with the issues that have been before the board, particularly those that have come up in executive session.

Lawless got the clerk’s job.

All three votes ended up being unanimous.

But Meehan also said he intends to shift those jobs around a bit. He said during the 5 p.m. session, and later in the regular public session at 6 p.m., that the other two members may, for example, spend time acting as chairman of the board.

gemery@projo.com