GREENFIELD — Sheila Gilmour, City Council’s longest-serving member, has resigned from her Precinct 6 seat after more than seven years of service.

This announcement leaves a vacancy on the council that is anticipated to be filled by June 18. Gilmour’s successor will fulfill her unexpired term until the city’s biennial election Nov. 4.

Gilmour, who was sworn in to the position in 2018 following her election in November 2017, wrote in her resignation letter that she was struggling to balance her two jobs with her municipal service. She has worked for the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Registrar’s Office since 2011 and more recently took a second job at Michaels.

“I had to take a second job nearly two years ago and I have been struggling to balance my schedule and responsibilities,” Gilmour wrote. “It has been a pleasure to serve with my fellow councilors and I wish everyone well in the future.”

In an interview Wednesday afternoon, Gilmour, 43, explained that as inflation increased the cost of living over the last few years, she took a second job and consequently missed multiple City Council meetings this year. She said her seat could be better occupied by a candidate who has more time to dedicate to the role.

Reflecting on her tenure, Gilmour said she is proud of the council’s support of the School Department over the last seven years and she feels grateful to work collaboratively with people who have opposing points of view.

“The most rewarding part [of council service] is just being able to think about what we want for our future and take a step back, take a deep breath and think about it,” Gilmour said. “I got to learn a lot more about my neighbors and the community that I live in. Serving with people who have a different perspective from me has been really eye-opening. We all love Greenfield, we all want this to be a great place to live and we all have different ideas of what that means. Being forced to talk to people who don’t necessarily have the same opinion as you is a rewarding and unique thing.”

The city released a call for candidates Wednesday morning, encouraging any Greenfield resident who is registered to vote and who wishes to succeed Gilmour to send a letter of interest and resume to citycouncil@greenfield-ma.gov by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 23.

City Council’s Committee Chairs subcommittee will begin interviewing the candidates at its June 3 meeting.

When asked if there are any particular candidates that she hopes might replace her, Gilmour responded that while she does not have anyone in mind, she hopes her replacement will be an open-minded individual who makes an effort to see all perspectives on an issue. Gilmour added that while she does not have any immediate plans to become involved in politics, she would consider future civic involvement in the future, if her schedule allows for it.

“I’m really hoping that we’ll get to a point where wages from one full-time job is enough to support a person,” Gilmour said. “I would love to get to a point where I do have more free time so that I can be more involved, because it shouldn’t be a luxury to be involved in what’s happening in your town.”

Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at acammalleri@recorder.com or 413-930-4429.