CHEBEAGUE ISLAND — Rather than wait until Election Day in November, the town will hold a special election in October to replace a selectman who resigned.

Board of Selectmen Chairman Mark Dyer resigned Aug. 13, citing personal reasons in an explanation to the board. His term expires in 2016.

“Although I have enjoyed most of my service to this community, I have struggled as of late, and feel that I must re-prioritize, and get back to the basics of family, friends, hard work, etc.,” Dyer said in an email to the board.

According to Town Administrator Eric Dyer (no relation to Mark Dyer), the special election will be held Oct. 7 because the board wants to fill the position as soon as possible. The date was chosen because it falls within 60 days of the resignation.

Holding a special election barely a month before Nov. 4 will cost the town “a couple hundred dollars,” the town administrator said.

“The perceived benefit of having a selectman in place a month early outweighed the cost,” Eric Dyer said. 

This isn’t the first time Mark Dyer has resigned from the board. After serving as a selectman since Chebeague Island became a town in 2007, Dyer resigned without explanation in October 2011, two years before his term expired.

Dyer ran for a seat on the board again last June. He won one of two seats in a four-candidate race that also saw the election of his sister, Susan Campbell.

Campbell, formerly vice chairwoman of the board, is now the chairwoman. David Hill was elected vice chairman. 

Nomination papers for the open seat are available in the town clerk’s office. Petitions must be returned by Sept. 12 at 4 p.m. According to Eric Dyer, no one has taken out papers as of Tuesday.

Kate Gardner can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 125 or kgardner@theforecaster.net. Follow her on Twitter: @katevgardner.

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