The Rochester Board of Selectmen appointed Christopher Gerrior to the Conservation Commission on Monday night.

Gerrior will fill the position left open by the resignation of Dr. John Teal. Teal announced his resignation at a meeting in early November. He had served on the Conservation Commission for 18 years.

Gerrior is the son of current Conservation Commission member Laurene Gerrior, though Conservation Agent Laurell Farinon said she spoke to the town’s attorney, who said it wouldn’t be a problem.

“My mom has done a lot of work to make this town like the one I grew up in,” Gerrior said. “I appreciate that and I want to help. I love this town.”

A Navy officer, Gerrior grew up in Rochester before leaving to join the forces in 1993. He moved back to town three years ago and doesn’t have plans to leave again.

“I want to stay here in my house forever,” he said.

Selectman Woody Hartley did express some concern over having a mother-son duo on the Conservation Commission.

“It may not be a conflict in the eye of the law, but I would be shocked if it doesn’t raise eyebrows,” he said. “Appearance is very important, and you want to have diversity of thought as well.”

However, Gerrior assured him that wouldn’t be an issue.

“If you ever hear the conversations in the car between me and my mom, there’s a lot of diversity,” Gerrior laughed.

Ultimately, the board did approve Gerrior’s appointment. They also issued a citation to Teal in recognition of his service to the town.

“Those are going to be difficult shoes to fill,” Selectman Naida Parker said.

Farinon also added that another member would be retiring in the coming months, and encouraged anyone interested in learning more about the position to reach out to the Conservation Commission.