Cape Elizabeth Town Councilor Paul McKenney will step down from the Council at the end of the year.

Cape Town Clerk Deb Lane announced McKenney’s resignation Monday night at the Town Council meeting.

McKenney was absent for family obligations, but Lane read a letter he had written announcing his decision.

“My reason for resigning is that my military and civilian schedule for 2010 will conflict with numerous council meetings,” McKenney wrote in the letter. “I feel that it is appropriate to step aside so that the town has a representative who can fulfill the office effectively.”

McKenney, 49, will serve until December. His term expires in 2010.

Cape residents elected McKenney to the Council in 2005 to fill an unexpired term. They re-elected him to a full term in 2007.

He served as Town Council Chairman in 2007 and currently is the town’s representative to the Greater Portland Council of Governments, serving his second term.

McKenney is a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves and provides leadership training for the Army and NATO.

His daughter is serving in the Navy and his two sons are serving in the Army. All three will be going to Afghanistan in 2010.

McKenney also owns a financial planning and wealth management firm called McKenney Financial Group in Portland.

“I know I speak for the rest of the Town Council when I mention the stress his family is under,” Council Chairman James Rowe said. “He’s a wonderful person and has a calming influence on all of us. He will be missed.”

Residents wanting to run for Town Council or the School Board can get nomination papers from the Town Hall beginning July 27. Papers are due on Sept. 4.

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