AUBURN — City Councilor Eric Samson said he’s prepared to resign from the City Council for good because he is attending the Maine Criminal Justice Academy through Dec. 16.

“I’ve talked to the mayor about it, and I’m happy to resign if that’s what needs to happen,” Samson said Thursday.

Mayor Dick Gleason said he’s inclined to let Samson continue for the next three meetings. He can give up his seat at that time, if it’s necessary.

“Nobody knows exactly what’s going to happen, which is why I recommend waiting,” Gleason said. “If he goes to the academy and it doesn’t work out, he’ll be able to come back to the council.”

Councilors are scheduled to discuss Samson’s seat at Tuesday’s workshop at 5:30 p.m., followed by a regular meeting.

Samson began the 18-week basic law enforcement training program on Aug. 15 at the academy in Vassalboro. He’s scheduled to begin serving as one of two Androscoggin County Sheriff’s deputies in Poland when he completes his studies.

The course requires him to spend days and nights during the week at the academy. He’s allowed 15 minutes of telephone use during the week. That lack of contact makes it difficult to be a city councilor.

Samson’s at-large council seat, and those belonging to the rest of the council and Mayor Gleason, expire in about three months. All eight seats are up for election on November’s municipal ballot and Samson is not seeking another term.

“This is something that’s been coming and I’ve known about it and it’s why I decided not to try for re-election,” Samson said. “We knew that I’d either go in August of this year or December, and December looked more realistic. Then, I found out they had an opening in August and here we are.”

Samson notified councilors and Gleason about the change in an Aug. 5 letter and asked for a leave of absence, excusing him from the council’s remaining meetings.

Gleason said the city’s charter lets councilors miss three meetings in a row before they are expected to give up their seats. Councilors have only five meetings scheduled between now and the Nov. 8 vote.

The charter also lets the council appoint a volunteer to fill a vacant seat if a councilor resigns less than six months before the term is scheduled to end.

“I understand the problem, and I’m happy to do whatever they want me to do,” Samson said. “I asked for a leave of absence in my letter, if they want me to resign, I will.”

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