Scarborough Town Councilor Donald Cushing announced his resignation last week.

Elected in November 2023, Cushing will be halfway through his three-year term when his resignation takes effect on May 8. A special election will be held on June 10 to fill his seat, coinciding with the school budget validation referendum.

“My high school English teacher taught me that a good sentence is clear, concise and ends with a period. Although I’ve never been accused of being concise, I think I have made my point,” Cushing said in an email statement. “I have attempted to be a voice for balance, fairness, compromise, and accountability with mixed success. Like many Americans, my life circumstances have changed in ways I did not anticipate. It is time for the next generation of leaders to step up.”

He did not elaborate on what circumstances had changed.

In his resignation letter to the council, Cushing said it has been “my honor” to serve his fellow residents on the seven-member board.

“I hope that my service on the council has contributed in some small way to the welfare of Scarborough residents,” he wrote. “It has been my honor to serve on the council. I am confident that residents/voters will choose a suitable replacement to fill my seat and that the council will proceed toward achieving its goals.”

The nomination period is open for residents looking to fill Cushing’s seat. Residents can take out nomination papers at the Town Clerk’s Office at Town Hall and must return them by April 14 at 5 p.m.