By John Schwing

WESTPORT — Two members of the Board of Finance are stepping down before the end of their terms.

Nancie Dupier, a Democrat, and Jay DesMarteau, a Republican, plan to resign from the board before the Nov. 7 municipal election.

Dupier’s intention to step down was announced by the Democratic Town Committee last week, but the date of her departure was unclear Monday. The Town Clerk’s Office reported she has yet to file a formal letter of resignation.

Michael Gordon, chairman of the party’s Nominating Committee, said Monday, “I know she intends to resign soon, but do not have an exact date.”

Commenting on her impending resignation, Dupier said in a Wednesday email, “Unfortunately, both professional and family commitments will now be requiring me to be out of the country for more significant periods of time, making my ability to actively serve the BoF — in person — more difficult …

“I have loved my time on the board, and will miss my fellow BoF members and other town colleagues tremendously,” she added. Dupier has been a member of the board for six years.

Democrats are moving forward to find an interim replacement for Dupier, inviting applications from registered Democrats interested in serving the remaining few months of her term and then running for election to the seat in November. Candidates should send a resume and statement of interest to Gordon at mgordon906@gmail.com by 5 p.m. Friday, July 21.

Democrats, at a meeting set for Tuesday, also are expected to formally nominate Danielle Dobin, currently the Planning and Zoning Commission chairwoman, to run for another open Board of Finance seat in November. That seat is being vacated by Sheri Gordon, who decided not to seek re-election.

Republican DesMarteau, in a resignation letter filed with the Town Clerk’s Office, said he is leaving the finance panel “with immediate effect.”

The reason, he wrote, is, “I accepted a job that has resulted in me moving from Westport.” He had served on the board for four years.

The vacancy created by DesMarteau’s resignation is expected to be a topic of discussion at Tuesday night’s meeting of the Republican Town Committee.

Traditionally, Dupier’s seat would be filled by a replacement recommended by the Democratic Town Committee and DesMarteau’s by a stand-in backed by the Republican Town Committee.

The final interim selections, however, will be made by the finance board’s remaining members, who are not required to accept candidates recommended by the political parties for their respective open seats.

John Schwing, the Westport Journal consulting editor, has held senior editorial and writing posts at southwestern Connecticut media outlets for four decades. Learn more about us here.