JACKSON TWP — One of the three township supervisors has stepped down citing personal reasons.

Jay Grinnell, a Republican elected to the board in 2011, submitted a letter to the township on Aug. 7 resigning his position.

On Thursday night Supervisors Ron Lutz and Trent Geis voted to appoint Allan Osterwise, a member of the township planning commission, to fill his seat.

Grinnell said Thursday afternoon he is too busy with work and other organizations and wants to spend more time enjoying life as his reasons to resign.

“I’ve been involved with too many projects and something had to give,” he said.

In addition to serving as a supervisor, Grinnell is the president of Harmony EMS.

During Grinnell’s time as a supervisor, he helped to spearhead several initiatives for the township, including redoing its ordinances, hiring new staff and planning for its new municipal building, Lutz said.

“We respect his decision, but I’m not really happy that he left because I thought he brought a lot to the township,” Lutz said.

Osterwise was appointed to serve through Jan. 4, 2016. Grinnell’s elected term lasted through the end of 2017, but state law requires a new supervisor be elected to serve the final two years.

Supervisors are elected to six-year terms, with elections held every other year. Both Lutz and Osterwise’s seats will be up for election in November 2015.

State law required the supervisors to appoint a replacement within 30 days.

In addition to serving on the planning commission, Osterwise is a member of the township’s community development corporation.

Lutz and Geis said they knew Osterwise was interested in the position and is qualified because of his experience with the township government.

“He’s very aware of what the community is,” Geis said.

Osterwise will start his term once he is sworn in by the district judge.

“I think he’s a good fit, a natural fit,” Lutz said.

Supervisors in the township get a $150 stipend each month.

Osterwise could not be reached for comment.