By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

NAPLES — A businessman, politician and longtime resident of this town has resigned from the Naples Board of Selectmen.

Rich Cebra announced his resignation from the board through an e-mail sent to his fellow selectmen prior to the board’s most recent meeting.

In the e-mail, Cebra highlighted some of the town committees for which he has volunteered over the years since 2002.

He listed the Budget Committee, the Causeway Revitalization Committee, the Comprehensive Plan Committee, as well as work done designing Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts.

He said that serving on those committees as well as “on the select board for the last four years have all been an honor to have been a part of.”

“My hope is that I have done some good over the last 17 years on the various committees on which I served the people of the Town of Naples,” he wrote.

“I wish you all continued success as you continue to serve the people of Naples,” he concluded.

Cebra did not state in his e-mail why he decided to resign.

Currently, Cebra is a state representative for District 68. In fact, Cebra is serving his sixth nonconsecutive term and second consecutive term in the Maine House of Representatives. Most recently, before the legislature adjourned for the summer, he served on the Transportation Committee and the Leaves of Absence Committee.

Prior to press time, Cebra could not be reached via phone.

On Monday, Naples Town Manager John Hawley talked about what the board will most likely do to fill the vacancy.

Cebra’s term ends in June 2021.

“What I think the select board might consider is piggy-backing on the November election,” Hawley said.

“Because the Town of Naples does not have a charter, Naples has to follow state law, which requires them to have a special election for filling that position,” he said.

“There is a process. First, the selectmen choose the date for the election. Once the selectmen have set a date, 100 days prior to the date, nomination papers are available for 40 days. The reason the nomination papers are available for 40 days is because the ballots have to be available for absentee voting 60 days before the election,” Hawley said.

Thee selectmen could call that election at any time, he said.

Hawley estimated that the cost of an election to seat one selectman would be a minimum of $500. That includes the cost of printing ballots and paying a couple ballot clerks, he said.

“One hundred days is going to put you into the middle or end of October. If the board decided to include it with the November election, it would be no additional costs to the taxpayer to do that.

“It only makes sense for them to wait until the next election. Number one is the cost and number two is voter turnout would be low if there was only one item on the ballot,” Hawley said.

The board will hold its next regular meeting on July 8.. The board will discuss Cebra’s replacement at that time.