Harrietstown Councilman Howard Riley smiles after finding out voters reelected him to the town council in November 2019. (Enterprise photo — Griffin Kelly)

SARANAC LAKE — Harrietstown Councilman Howard Riley resigned from the town board last week without publicly disclosing a reason, and the town council will be accepting letters from people interested in filling the vacancy through Jan. 12.

Riley resigned effective Dec. 27 with a short letter delivered to Harrietstown Supervisor Jordanna Mallach.

“I don’t have any comment,” Riley said on Tuesday. “That’s all I can say right now.”

He would not give a reason for his resignation, or an indication of what prompted his unexpected departure from the board.

Mallach said his resignation came as a surprise to her. He did not give her a reason for his resignation, she said, and he’s not legally required to.

Riley first joined the board in 2004. He left to be the town justice from 2008 to 2013 and returned later in 2013. He had also spent years before as a village trustee, mayor and village manager.

After decades in local politics, Howard said he had a “freeing feeling” on Tuesday after resigning.

The board plans to appoint a new member to Riley’s seat and is currently seeking applicants. To apply for the seat, applicants can submit a letter of interest to Mallach at jmallach@harrietstown.org by Jan. 12.

Applicants must be town residents, registered or eligible to register to vote in Harrietstown, 18 years of age and a citizen of the U.S.

Mallach said the council will meet next on Jan. 26. The appointment will be discussed then, and the board’s intent is to make a decision at that meeting.

Mallach said the board is looking for someone who has been active in the community, is willing to do a sometimes thankless job and has the time to dedicate to the position.

Riley’s unexpired term ends on Dec. 31, 2023, so that is how long the appointment will last for.

At that point, whoever is appointed will need to run for election to keep the seat.Questions about the position can be directed to Mallach or councilmembers Tracey Schrader, Ashley Milne and Johnny Williams.

Contact information for all board members can be found at harrietstown.org/departments/town-supervisor-and-council.