A former councilor is the sole applicant for the open position on the Gray Town Council.

Matthew Sturgis, of Glen Cove Road, was the only resident to submit an application before the July 1 deadline to fill the seat vacated by the departure of Deborah Mancini. Mancini resigned from the council June 14, citing personal reasons.

Sturgis served on the Town Council from 2003 until he resigned following the 2005 elections. He is currently the tax assessor for Cape Elizabeth.

If Sturgis is elected, he would like to contribute to the council’s efforts to continue to improve the downtown area, and come up with a plan for the town-owned Pennell Institute property.

Gray is changing quickly, Sturgis said Wednesday, and the council needs to help make adjustments along the way.

“Gray is such a fast growing community,” he said. “There are so many pressures. (But) there is a lot of good opportunity in this town.”

Councilors will interview Sturgis Monday, July 7, at 4 p.m. The new member, who will serve in the position until the June 2009 municipal election, will be chosen by the Town Council and announced at a special meeting Thursday, July 10, at 5:30 p.m.

Town Manager Deborah Cabana said the Town Council is not bound by prior actions when filling a seat. The council can decide to appoint an applicant or continue the search, Cabana said.

Matthew Sturgis is the only person to step forward to replace Gray Town Councilor Deborah Mancini, who resigned June 14. Sturgis will be interviewd by council members July 7 and could be named to the council for a one year term July 10.