Longtime Village of Fair Haven trustee Bruce Hudson resigned from the village board Monday but offered little explanation why.

The one-time deputy mayor and 19-year veteran of the board turned in his keys and delivered a brief letter of resignation while village offices were closed, Mayor Bill McVea said.

Hudson had not attended a meeting or answered correspondence since September.

“I'm still mystified,” McVea said, adding he doubted the board would have heard anything at all from Hudson without recent media coverage.

The trustee moved out of the village this past fall. A residency requirement would make him ineligible to serve on the board.

“I have been trying to purchase another piece of property in Fair Haven,” Hudson wrote in his letter to the board. “Because of my not knowing how much longer it's going to take, I feel it will be in the best interest for the village and the board to relinquish my position and let you get on with more important things.”

Citing rented property, his post office box and driver's license records, Hudson argued he was still a village resident according to New York Conference of Mayors guidelines.

“I am considered a resident of Fair Haven. How many times I attend meetings has nothing to do with it,” Hudson wrote.

McVea challenged Hudson's claims he had made frequent contact with the village during the hiatus, but also said he would support Hudson's return to politics if he chose to run again for the $3,600-per-year position.

“I think he was an asset to the village,” McVea said. “He's been a loyal trustee.”

Hudson did not return calls seeking further comment.

The vacancy will be filled by mayoral appointment with approval of the board, McVea said. Originally appointed to the board in 1987, Hudson's current term expires in spring 2008.

Staff writer Shane Liebler can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or shane.liebler@lee.net