Brunswick Town Councilor Steve Walker has resigned from the District 2 seat, which will lead to a special election to fill the role.

District 2 Councilor Steve Walker emailed his resignation on July 31, according to documents submitted ahead of the Monday Town Council meeting. Sean Thomas photo

Walker submitted his resignation on July 31, just days ahead of his effective leave date of Aug. 6. The Town Council meeting Monday, Aug. 5, is expected to be his last. Councilors are expected coordinate a special election for the District 2 seat.

“I did not want to resign from the Town Council,” Walker said. “But, given the circumstances, I technically need to.”

Walker cited that the sole reason for his resignation was moving his primary home to River Road, which is outside of District 2. He said in his resignation email that life changes prompted the move.

In his resignation letter addressed to Town Council Chairperson Abby King, whose term expires this December, Walker stated that the decision came with “a heavy heart” and that he hoped to continue his roles on the Shellfish Ordinance Task Force and Comprehensive Plan Update Committee. He also acknowledged that committee rules may not allow him, now a resident, to do so.

In his letter, Walker noted that while his leave was difficult, District 2 interests were in “great hands” under the leadership of newly appointed Town Manager Julia Henze and the Town Council. He had recently voted in favor of formally appointing Henze, who was interim manager, for the permanent role.

Walker has been involved with the Town of Brunswick since 2001, giving him well over two decades of public service in the area. His tenure as a councilor started in 2013 — 11 years ago.

He had previously served on the Planning Board for five years and is currently serving as the executive director of the Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust and the regional project manager at Maine Coast Heritage Trust.

A Brown University and University of Maine at Orono graduate, Walker’s background also included stints at Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and as Brunswick’s natural resources planner. Looking back on his career, Walker said he prides himself in efforts to protect resources and said he aims to keep advocating for similar issues moving forward.

Town Council rules state that a vacant but unexpired term position must be filled via special election. Vacancies in a district seat must be filled by a person from the relevant district.

Typically, if the remainder of the term is fewer than six months, councilors can simply appoint someone to the position for the remainder of the term. Walker’s term, however, ends in December 2025.

Town Clerk Fran Smith proposed for Monday’s Town Council meeting to schedule the special election for the nationwide Election Day, which is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Nomination papers will be made available immediately and are due on Sept. 6.

The seat for District 4, where Walker now lives, is currently held by Vice Chairperson Sande Updegraph. The town website shows that Updegraph’s term will expire at the end of this year. At-large Councilor James Ecker’s term also expires this year.

Walker said that due to wanting to spend more time with family and focus on some of the other initiatives he is involved in, he is not currently seeking a different seat on the council. He did not, however, rule out the possibility of running in the future.