Councilwoman Lisa Bernhardt is resigning her position on the council effective Dec. 31 after serving half of her four-year term.

The Town of Coupeville is seeking to fill several vacancies including Bernhardt’s seat.

Bernhardt told the council she hasn’t been able to devote as much time to the town as she thought she would due to her responsibilities running the Pacific Northwest Art School.

“I should relinquish my position to someone who has time to dedicate,” she said.

Bernhardt submitted her letter of resignation earlier this year, around May’s Filing Week, said Mayor Molly Hughes.

Because the town didn’t want a vacancy to conflict with the election, a decision was made to hold back news of Bernhardt’s departure until after the election.

The town is seeking applicants and will be appointing someone to fill the remaining two years of the term. It will then be up for reelection in 2019.

To apply, submit a letter of interest and resume stating relevant experience, history of community service and contact information to Town Hall by 4:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15, 2018.

Initially, the mayor sought an earlier application deadline. The town hasw 90 days to fill the position.

The council, however, sought a longer time frame.

“This is a very important position to fill,” Hughes said. “I don’t want to be in a position with having no candidates or only having one.”

The town is also seeking to fill a vacancy on the Planning Commission. The commission is made up of five members and they meet on the first Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m.

Eligible applicants should be a resident of the town or own and operate a business within town limits. They must also be a registered voter in Island County.

The deadline for this position is also Monday, Jan. 15.

There is also a vacancy on the Historic Preservation Commission. The nine-member commission meets the fourth Thursday of each month at 10 a.m.

Applicants should live within Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve and have demonstrated interest or experience in, or knowledge of, history, historic preservation, architecture, design, landscape architecture, cultural landscapes, and/or related disciplines.

The town will accept applications until the position is filled.