CANTON — A veteran politician has submitted his resignation from the Canton Town Council, effective June 22.

Clark H. Carvel, a lifelong Canton resident, became emotional when announcing his resignation at Monday afternoon’s board meeting.

The 69-year-old has served as a Canton town councilman since Jan. 1, 2000, and as deputy town supervisor since 2002. He also served 10 years on the village Board of Trustees.

In March, Mr. Carvel and his wife, Betty, sold their home at 8 Woods Drive and bought a house in the Albany area where their daughter resides with her family.

Since then Mr. Carvel has maintained Canton residency by renting property on Miner Street.

“My family commitments make it increasingly difficult to spend sufficient time in Canton,” Mr. Carvel wrote in his resignation letter. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my tenure on the town board and the interactions with all town, village, college, community and area school district members.”

Mr. Carvel was elected to his current four-year term in last November’s election when he garnered 1,079 votes.

Town Supervisor David T. Button said the board can either appoint someone to serve the six months remaining in Mr. Carvel’s term or leave the seat vacant until the November election.

If the board decides to appoint a replacement, the person selected would serve the remainder of Mr. Carvel’s term. Town Council members are paid $4,545 a year.

Mr. Button presented a plaque of appreciation to Mr. Carvel and thanked him for his years of service. A goodbye cake was also shared.

“There are not many people who could match your record through the years,” Mr. Button said.

Mr. Carvel also served eight years on the Hermon-Dekalb Central School District Board of Education and eight years on the SUNY Canton College Council.

He also spent roughly 25 years as a driver’s education instructor for students at Canton, Hermon-Dekalb and Edwards-Knox central schools.

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