MONKTON — Three spots are opening up on the five-member Monkton selectboard, as a few longtime members have announced they will vacate their seats in the coming months.

Selectboard Chair Stephen Pilcher announced at the board’s Dec. 19 meeting that he’ll step down from his post on Jan. 21. Also at that meeting, incumbents John McNerney and Marikate Kelley said they won’t seek re-election when their terms expire in March.

“There actually will be a big turnover in the selectboard,” Pilcher acknowledged.

Pilcher has been on the board for 15 years and is currently serving a two-year term set to expire in 2026.

“In reviewing the year’s meeting minutes it’s clear it was an incredibly busy year,” he told the Independent. “The pressures and responsibilities of the position became more than I was willing to take on, especially as chair.”

Pilcher noted in his resignation letter that his hope is to encourage Monkton residents to step forward to run for the seat, which will require filling out a petition to be on the ballot for the Town Meeting Day elections in March.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve on the town of Monkton selectboard for the past 15 years. I am proud of the many accomplishments we made during my tenure,” Pilcher wrote.

He told the Independent those accomplishments include creating a website that’s crowd sourced, keeping the municipal tax rate flat for 15 years, construction of the new town offices at 92 Monkton Ridge, hiring Monkton’s first town administrator and purchasing the town forest.

At the Dec. 19 meeting, Pilcher said he’d be willing to be appointed to continue serving on the board until Town Meeting Day.

Pilcher also offered new board members the same support he received 15 years ago.

“When I first stepped on the selectboard, one of the members, Henry Boisse, spent several weekends driving through Monkton, discussing issues, history and imparting a philosophy of governance,” he recalled. “I would be happy to do the same for any new members of the board and to help with the transition in any way…I look forward to serving Monkton in other capacities in the future.”

McNerney has served on the Monkton selectboard for 13 years. In a Dec. 21 Front Porch Forum post, he recalled how he was first convinced to run in 2012.

“I had always intended to serve just one three-year term, but various events and concerns, or the fact that no one else would put in a petition to run, always seemed to end up with me standing for election ‘just one more time.’ This time around, I’m done,” he wrote. “I do hope that someone who will take the job seriously, put in the time and energy required to understand the issues, and be open to differing points of view, will consider running.”

In his post, McNerney offered input or advice to any candidate interested.

“I have told the selectboard that if no one turns in a valid petition, I would consider accepting an appointment to an open position, but would be a temporary measure: I will not serve out the full term,” he wrote. “I do intend to continue attending a fair number of selectboard meetings just to stay informed on what is going on in town.”

Kelley has served on the town’s selectboard since November 2018.

“Monkton is a strong and vibrant community and it has been an honor to serve and learn more about the Town in the capacity of a Selectboard member,” she told the Independent. “I have been especially struck by the number of other committed community members giving so much of their time to various committees, town projects, and community events.  The town has many resources that bring us together and make the Town a special place to live — the recycling center, Morse Park recreational area, public access to Monkton Pond, a dog park, library events, Monkton Museum and Historical Society events, community room activities, East Monkton Church community events, and a newly created Town Forest.

“The names of the many active community members and their areas of interest have changed over the years, but it is a place where people feel a sense of ownership and responsibility to give back to the community,” Kelley continued. “While several members of the current selectboard are not looking to run for a new term or to step away after many years of service, others will take our place and continue the long tradition of giving back and growing our community.”

Kelley also highlighted Pilcher’s various contributions to the town.

“I want to acknowledge the incredible work of Selectboard Chair Stephen Pilcher who has dedicated countless hours and steered the selectboard and town though its commitment and construction of new municipal offices, many ARPA projects, and the day-to-day work of running a municipality,” she wrote. “He has served with uncommon dedication, openness, patience and civility, making the town a better place.”

Candidates have until the Jan. 27 filing deadline to get onto the March 4 Town Meeting Day ballot.