Westford will have to make do without one of its most well-known public servants in the near future.

As the Board members discussed an issue related to Phase 2A of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail project during last week's Planning Board meeting, Director of Land Use Management Angus Jennings made a surprise announcement that he had submitted his letter of resignation to the town.

Jennings later told Westford Patch that he intends to stay on in a part-time role until at least Town Meeting on March 23, and possibly slightly after that as a replacement is found to help with the transition in hopes of preventing the seven month gap he had to face when he came onboard and concluding large projects about to be completed.

"The caliber of person that we're recruiting has to know how things work here," said Jennings.

From here, Jennings will continue in the near future in his current role as in an interim basis, pursuing consulting work, as well as spend more time with his family and in his role as the President of the Massachusetts Association of Planning Directors.

"I basically felt continuing to invest the time I have been giving the town to provide the level of service it deserves would not leave enough time to devote to my growing family and to my non-profit work," he said.  "My time in Westford has been well spent, and I've worked with many wonderful people, but now it's time to pass the baton."

Applications for his position will be closed on Feb. 11.

His position oversees the town's Planning, Zoning, Building, Conservation and Permitting Departments, and in addition to Planning Board, Conservation Commission and Board of Appeals as well as providing staff support to several Boards and Commissions including Affordable Housing, Economic Development, Historical Preservation, Board of Selectmen.