Scarborough’s Shawn Babine steps down for second time in three years.

SCARBOROUGH – For the second time in three years, Shawn Babine has resigned from his post on the Scarborough Town Council, again citing travel obligations.

On July 25, Babine submitted the town with a letter of resignation, effective July 26, in which he indicated was stepping down from his three-year term, which expires in November 2011, to continue his academic studies and take a job out of state, which both require extensive travel. The remaining year on Babine’s term will be filled in the November election.

Babine also resigned from the council in 2007 after serving two years of his second three-year term. At that time, he cited obligations related to his job as a bank vice president.

Babine recently began a job as the interim chief executive officer of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity Inc., based in Indianapolis, Ind. Babine said he will be commuting back and forth between Maine and Indiana.

Babine’s pursuit of a doctorate in law and policy from Northeastern University, a program he started in June, will also require substantial travel, he said.

“These two opportunities are once-in-a-lifetime type of things,” he said, adding that he has total support from his wife and his daughter, who will both remain Scarborough residents.

Town Manager Tom Hall said per the town’s charter, the council cannot appoint someone to fill a vacancy after a resignation. Babine’s position will be filled at the November election, he said.

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