Freeland Water and Sewer District residents may have a new commissioner as soon as tonight.

Marilynn Abrahamson has resigned, and the remaining two commissioners — Eric Hansen and Lou Malzone — are loosely set to appoint a replacement at the board’s regular meeting Monday, June 8, according to water district Manager Andy Campbell. The likely candidate, he said, is John Brunke, an engineer and regular attendee of district meetings. Brunke was also a member of a past district citizen advisory committee that examined Freeland growth estimates.

The meeting begins at 5:50 p.m. and will be held at Whidbey Water Services, 5585 Lotto Ave. in Freeland.

Abrahamson quietly resigned Thursday, June 4, with an email to district staff. She could not be reached for comment in time for this story, but the following is her email in its entirety:

“Hi, Andy and Terri, this is my formal resignation as commissioner of the FWSD effective upon receipt.

My house in Freeland sold. My main place of residence as of this date is now Arizona.

Thanks for doing such a wonderful job for the district over the last few years. It’s been a pleasure working with you. Will see you when I come up to Whidbey later in June or July to tie up loose ends.

Please forward to the other commissioners.

Thanks,

Marilynn.”

Rumors that Abrahamson was moving began to swirl around Freeland more than a month ago, but when asked by a Record reporter she said she had a change in housing but wasn’t stepping down.

The newspaper was not alerted to her resignation until after noon today when Campbell called to say the board would likely appoint a replacement later the same evening.

Abrahamson was elected in 2011 following controversy over a $40 million plan to build sewers throughout the greater Freeland area.

Malzone said he was also surprised by Abrahamson’s sudden resignation, saying he’d fully expected her to remain in office for the foreseeable future. She’d previously said she wanted to see the district’s current commercial core sewer project through, he said.

As for tonight’s meeting, Malzone said it remains to be seen whether the board will appoint a new commissioner or decide to seek resumes from the public first — that decision is up to the board. However, he said the district is in the middle of a time-sensitive sewer project, and that he would support moving forward without seeing if anyone else is interested in the elected position first.

“I have no problem appointing someone tonight,” he said. “There is no requirement to advertise.”

Under state law, vacated non-partisan positions can be filled by appointment through public or private recruitment. Brunke’s expertise and his past service and work with the district make him a great candidate, he said.

“He’s a natural,” Malzone said.

A phone message left for Hansen was not immediately returned.