SEVEN FIELDS — Ed Bayne resigned as mayor Tuesday because he’s moving out of the area.

According to his resignation letter, Bayne said it was with “deep sadness” that he leaves the board, but he is in the “process of relocating” to another area and therefore cannot serve as mayor.

It’s not clear what, if any connection the former mayor’s resignation has to an ongoing police investigation against Bayne. In January, the state police downloaded and confiscated 24 files from a computer in his house that allegedly contained images of child pornography.

No charges have been filed in the case and state police in Butler didn’t respond to a call for comment on the status of the investigation.

When reached by phone Wednesday, Bayne also couldn’t comment on the investigation because he hasn’t heard anything himself.

“I’m looking forward, once things come out and are public, to have a conversation and get the right info out there,” Bayne said. “But for now, you know as much as I do.”

Council will likely appoint a new mayor at its next meeting on Sept. 9. The appointee will finish the remainder of Bayne’s term, which expires at the end of this year.

“I would like to thank each of you for the hard work and dedication you’ve devoted to the residents of Seven Fields,” Bayne said in the letter. “I appreciate the opportunity to have worked with you for the betterment of the community, and value the friendships we’ve developed over the past seven years.”

Borough council appointed Bayne as mayor Aug. 14, 2006, to fill out the remainder of a former mayor’s term. He was re-elected by voters in 2009.

Seven Fields Council President Jack Oakley said Wednesday that Bayne’s resignation wasn’t a complete surprise. He wished the mayor well, and said he hopes Bayne “finds resolution in his life.”

“It’s an unfortunate situation for us all, especially for his family,” Oakley said. “But he decided to move out of the borough and we can’t have a mayor in that position if he’s not actually living in the borough.”

Councilman Kevin Caridad also wished the former mayor well, although he added it might be good to get a fresh face on council.

“I think it’s a good thing. Just specifically, I haven’t seen Ed at many of the meetings at all during my tenure,” said Caridad, who’s been on the board for nearly four years. “I think it was time he give up the post to someone else who can better serve Seven Fields.”