HALLOWELL — The Hallowell City Council accepted the resignation of Ward 3 Councilor Ryan P. Martin at its meeting Monday night.

Ryan P. Martin, who has served on the Hallowell City Council since January 2023, has resigned his seat. In his resignation letter, he cited the need to balance his family life with his work as executive director of the Wisconsin-based Michael Fields Agricultural Institute and his duties as a city councilor. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal file

Martin, who began his term in January 2023, submitted his letter of resignation Aug. 6, with his departure effective Aug. 9.

In his letter, which city officials posted on Facebook, Martin said it has become difficult to balance his job demands and family responsibilities with being a member of the City Council.

Martin was the executive director of the Viles Arboretum in Augusta until the start of this year. He began in January as the executive director of the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, a Wisconsin-based nonprofit organization focused on sustainability related to soil fertility, water quality, climate resilience, racial equity, food security and farm success through research, policy and education.

Martin said his new job has increasingly demanded more of his time, including having to travel frequently to the Midwest.

“After much consideration, I believe it is in the best interest of my family and the city for me to step down from my seat,” Martin wrote in his letter. “With the budget process now concluded, and the November election approaching, I believe this is the least disruptive time for me to exit city leadership.”

Martin described the past year on the City Council as “particularly challenging,” with the passage of a contentious budget that raised property taxes for residents by about 20%.

“I am proud of the work we have done to address these challenges, including important changes such as implementing a pesticide ban, funding an environmental steward position, and supporting the sale of the old fire station,” he wrote. “Much work remains, including the need to streamline and enhance the efficiency of city government, revisit the structure of our city committees, and renew our support for essential services such as parks, the library, and other quality of life enhancements.”

Martin wrote in his letter that he was disappointed he could not finish his term. He said he thinks representation for younger, working families is important to have on the council, but difficult to maintain. Martin has two children, ages 3 and 5.

“I would go and I would do these work trips, and then I would come back and need to attend council business,” he wrote. “I found myself really struggling with the idea of being gone so much, and then getting back on a Thursday or Friday, and needing to do council on that Monday, or getting back on a Sunday and doing council on Monday. Just feeling like I need to make some choices. I don’t want to be the derelict dad.”

The city charter stipulates that the mayor — George LaPointe — must appoint a resident to the council to fill Martin’s spot until after the November election, when the seat will be up for grabs to finish the remaining year of Martin’s term.

LaPointe said during Monday’s meeting that he plans to appoint a resident to Martin’s seat by the City Council’s next regular meeting, scheduled for Sept. 9.

The nomination period for candidates for the Hallowell City Council, including Martin’s former seat, is now open. It is scheduled to close at 5 p.m. Sept. 3. Nomination papers are available from the city clerk’s office.

City councilors are paid an annual salary of $1,500 and required to live in the ward they serve.

Martin’s Ward 3 seat, which represents much of the area between Middle Street and Interstate 95, will be up for election again in November 2025 for a three-year term.