Councillor resigns

The freshest face on Montague town council has resigned.

After only eight months of her four-year term, Sheila MacKenzie Fitzpatrick advised the town Tuesday she is stepping aside due to personal reasons.

“It’s with regret that I was advised of this news,’’ said Montague Mayor Richard Collins, who said he had no inkling of the sudden resignation plans.

The well-known fiddler, who performs with Celtic Ladies and Treble with Girls musical groups, was elected in the November municipal election after some vigorous campaigning. The 38year-old earned 345 votes in the election - the third highest in a contest with nine individuals seeking six council seats. She recently posted her musical schedule for the summer which indicates barely a day off.

“We are now down two councillors around the table, so it’s quite a change,’’ said Collins.

Coun. Wayne Spin stepped aside last month after he was advised by his doctor to take time off due to a medical condition. Spin is not expected back for some time.

A byelection is now in the works to replace Fitzpatrick, but town officials expect the earliest this can happen is August.