BATH — City Councilor Carolyn Lockwood’s soon-to-be-vacated seat will remain unoccupied until the Nov. 4 election.

An initial version of the council’s Aug. 13 meeting agenda included an item about appointment of a replacement to fill Lockwood’s Ward 3 seat until after the election.

But the item was removed, according to City Clerk Mary White, when it was determined that the seat could stay unoccupied because less than six months remain until the next election.

Since Lockwood’s term expires in December 2015, the councilor elected in November will serve just one year.

Lockwood, whose resignation is effective Aug. 31, is stepping down to avoid a potential conflict of interest with her new job as director of Main Street Bath.

She replaces Jennifer Geiger, who left Main Street Bath last month after five years to do public relations work for the Maine Office of Tourism.

Nomination papers for candidates interested in Lockwood’s seat, and for three other seats on the council, became available Aug. 1 and must be returned to the city clerk’s office by the close of business Sept. 16.

City Councilors Meadow Merrill, David Sinclair and Andrew Winglass all said last month that they will not seek re-election to their respective Ward 1, Ward 6 and at-large seats.

Alex Lear can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 113 or alear@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @learics.