ROCKPORT — Select Board member Tom Gray has resigned, effective immediately.

Gray was elected in June 2017 for his first two-year term sitting on the Rockport Select Board. He said in his March 2 resignation letter sent to Town Clerk Linda Greenlaw that the pace of life, career and Select Board service produced too many calendar conflicts.

Besides sitting on the board, Gray is also a full-time history teacher at Camden Hills Regional High School.

“I was filling out my calendar a few weeks ago and realized that I had conflicts with more than half of the meetings I would have to do,” he said. “It just wasn't going to work. I considered trying to juggle things as best I could, but it would just result in my being out three or four evenings a week, and not doing a good job at anything. Best to step aside I felt.”

His letter follows: 

Dear Ms. Greenlaw:

I am writing to inform you of my intent to resign as a member of the Rockport Select Board, effective today.

I’ve reached this decision for compelling logistical and family reasons. Over the past few weeks, as I have taken stock of the meetings I would need to attend to serve the town as a member of the Select Board, I find that I have professional or family conflicts with more than half of them. Although I have considered trying to juggle these conflicts as best I can, in the end I have to admit that it will not work, and that trying to do so will leave me serving neither the town nor my family appropriately. 

I hope my resignation now will provide sufficient time for candidates with fewer conflicts to step forward to serve the town in its vital work.

I trust that you will forward this letter of resignation to the appropriate parties. Many thanks,

Respectfully submitted, 

Thomas H. Gray

Rockport Select Board