Goffstown, n.h. — A second attempt to drop the word “selectmen” in favor of the gender-neutral term “Select Board” failed on Monday in Goffstown, but the topic still drew plenty of discussion.

“There are 46 women serving on boards in Goffstown and there’s 55 men. It’s not that far off from equal,” board Chairman Peter Georgantas said. “The town of Goffstown doesn’t have an issue with women. … I don’t believe it and I don’t believe using gender bias is a reason to change the name of our board. That’s my opinion.”

Georgantas’ comment drew audible gasps from several members of the audience.

In all, eight residents supported changing the name during public-comment portions of Monday night’s meeting, speaking against the 3-2 vote taken on Aug. 13 in favor of keeping “Board of Selectmen.”

The attempt ultimately failed based on a matter of procedure.

But when board member David Pierce — who voted with Kelly Boyer in the dissenting vote earlier this month — offered a motion to vote again, his request was ruled out of order. Only a member of the prevailing vote can call to revisit something that already has been decided, according to Robert’s Rules of Order.

None of the prevailing members — John “Allen” Brown, Mark Lemay or Georgantas — made a motion to revisit the vote.

Karen Hewes, a Manchester attorney and Goffstown resident, has led the push to change the name since first raising the topic in July.

“I think the three voting members that have decided to keep the name have gender bias,” she said as the meeting approached its end. “This is absolutely ridiculous and abhorrent.”

Towns scattered across the state have slowly opted to change to the gender-neutral “Select Board” from “Board of Selectmen.”

The towns of Exeter and Wilton made the switch in March. Hopkinton and Webster made the decision to change in 2013.

Monday’s meeting drew some 14 residents to speak on varying issues in town, but when the board proceeded to its closing public comments phase, those who attended to address the name change called on the board to vote again.

But unless Brown, Lemay or Georgantas make a motion to revisit the issue, it remains settled.

“We can bring it up again, I don’t have a problem with that,” Georgantas said. “Maybe there will be some more information or someone can grab us and change our minds.”

Some comments made by residents were presented through the prism of history, condemning the term “selectman” as a relic of a time where women were allowed no place at the table among the town’s decision-makers.

“The history of selectmen does refer to selected men. It was created during a time when women could not only not vote, but they could not serve, and that was not by accident,” said Peter Grigorakakis, a resident and member of the budget committee. “The men who said that we are going to ‘selectmen’ did not want women involved.”

“I think we have an opportunity when it comes to changing the name of this board to be more inclusive, to make sure we are moving in the right direction.”

Others said the board was mistaken in its vote and creates a perception of Goffstown as non-inclusive.

“Making this statement now makes that point,” said Kimberly Peace, a resident and vice chairwoman of the planning board. “People are seeing this and I think it gives a very negative message of our town to say out there to the communities that we’re holding on to this only because of tradition, that we’re not gender-inclusive and that we’re not welcoming.”

Resident Leo Kelly said the vote was a step in the wrong direction.

“I think your vote pushes us back a few years as far as supporting women,” he said. “I would rather see the board change the name and support the future of women in Goffstown.”

Boyer said at least five women have run for the board in its history, and she is the third to be elected.

Hewes presented a petition to the board on Monday, which she said included the endorsement of 112 Goffstown residents to change the name to Goffstown Select Board.

Judith Johnson, a former high school teacher and a town resident for more than 30 years, said keeping the name for the sake of traditions is not a strong enough argument to prevent change.

“Traditions need to change with the times because words matter and those perceptions go into people’s minds,” she said. “I’ve been passionate about this my whole life, and I am glad somebody finally brought it up.”