Questions about whether Selectman Michael Schneider will resign are mounting as his 1st Avenue house sits empty and his colleagues say they have no information about his absence.

Addressing community concerns that Schneider would resign from the Board of Selectmen, Chair Walter Cruz said Tuesday that he is “not aware” of any plans for Schneider to leave his position.

Tuesday marked the second consecutive regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen Schneider has missed. He also did not attend a special meeting of the board on Wednesday, August 17.

During the "Citizens’ Participation" portion of the meeting, resident Bill Whitehouse accused Schneider of abandoning his responsibilities to the board and leaving town.

On Wednesday, August 24, Schneider’s home appeared to be empty of all furniture. There was no answer at the door. Boats and other items, however, remained in the front yard.

Schneider has not responded to requests for comment, including messages sent to his personal and town-issued e-mail accounts. His colleagues on the Board of Selectmen all say they haven't heard that Schneider would be resigning.

As of the morning of August 24, the Town Clerk's office had not received a letter of resignation from Schneider.

In the event a Selectman does resign, Massachusetts General Law states the remaining Selectmen can choose to call a special election. If the Selectmen do not exercise that option, citizens may petition for a special election. The only requirement is the special election cannot be held within 100 days of the next regular election.

Schneider was elected to the Board of Selectmen in April in a six-way race for two open seats on the board. The race was the 42-year-old's first run for political office.

When asked about his candidacy in March, Schneider stated: "I want to make sure that Wareham's quality of life is where people want to come, live here, and enjoy themselves."

He received the second-highest number of votes in the race, behind Selectman Ellen Begley. Schneider and Begley are co-founders of citizens' group and political action committee Move Wareham Forward and ran as an informal team.

Begley said she has not heard anything about Schneider resigning. Selectmen Steve Holmes and Cara Winslow and Town Administrator Mark Andrews also said they aren’t aware of any plans for Schneider to resign.