Hillsborough residents interested in filling the two-year vacancy of the town’s Board of Commissioners are being encouraged to submit applications.

The vacancy is coming about as a result of commissioner Brian Lowen announcing earlier this month that he will be resigning his seat, effective March 26.

Applications are being accepted through February 11 to fill Lowen’s seat beginning in April.

Commissioners decided on an appointment process rather than an election “to spare the expense of an election and to create a timeline that would allow for the new commissioner to take the oath of office April 9,” town officials said in a release.

“While setting a brisk schedule for the process, the board wants to be very thoughtful and transparent in making the appointment to fill the board vacancy,” Mayor Tom Stevens said in a release. “I hope and anticipate we’ll have a diverse pool of qualified candidates apply.”

The written application from interested candidates will be made available to the public, according to the town. The appointment process would then include an interview with candidates in a public meeting and an opportunity for public comment from Hillsborough residents before a final decision at a public meeting regarding the interview and final selection.

Matt Hughes is the only individual to publicly announce interest in filling Lowen’s seat.

The application is available here.