Liberty Twp. Trustee Patrick Hiltman resigned from his post Tuesday after submitting a letter of resignation.

Hiltman, who wasn’t present at the regularly scheduled Tuesday board meeting, cited personal reasons in his letter for his decision to leave the board, effective immediately.

“Due to the position I assumed January 1 of this year and its extreme travel requirements, I will not be able to fulfill my duties to the Board,” Hiltman said, of being a regional sales manager of commercial roofing products at USG Corporation.

Hiltman had been serving in his eighth year on the board, after first being elected in 2005. His second term would have expired Dec. 31, 2013.

“It has been an honor and privilege to serve the residents of Liberty Township,” Hiltman wrote. “I have greatly enjoyed working with the township’s outstanding and professional staff.”

Trustees Christine Matacic and David Kern have 30 days to appoint a new trustee to complete Hiltman’s vacated term. Interested candidates may submit a resume and letter of interest by Feb. 28 to Board President Matacic at 6400 Princeton Road, Liberty Twp., OH, 45011.

As a last resort, Matacic said a probate judge would be able to appoint someone if a decision can’t be reached by the March 21 deadline.

“But I’m confident we have some phenomenal people in this community that will be interested in this position,” Matacic said at the Tuesday meeting. “We want a team player; we don’t always agree but we can respect each other’s opinions.”

Whoever is appointed to the board can choose to continue their service by filing with the Butler County Board of Elections to be placed on the ballot in November 2013 for a four-year term beginning January 2014.

“We are grateful to Pat for his leadership and dedication to our community,” Matacic said. “His business background benefited the board immensely over the years.”