Stonington — After one month on the job, Director of Finance Nicole Stajduhar has resigned so she can return to her former job as the Old Lyme finance director. 

The Stonington resident informed the town Friday that she was resigning for personal reasons, effective immediately. Her resignation comes as the town is in the midst of preparing its proposed 2015-16 budget. 

Stajduhar had been the Old Lyme finance director for six years before starting work here Nov. 17. She also had been employed by the firm that conducts the town’s annual audits and is a certified public accountant. 

She was slated to receive $97,500 a year plus an additional $6,000 to serve as the town’s risk manager. 

She replaced Maryanna Stevens, who resigned in August after 11½ years to become the finance director in Waterford. 

First Selectman George Crouse said Wednesday that he was “shocked and saddened” by Stajduhar’s announcement. 

“She was very, very qualified and we will miss her expertise,” he said. 

A search committee selected Stajduhar from a field of 16 people who applied for the job. 

Crouse said the town will now review that field of candidates and reach out to those who still may be interested in the position. 

Senior accountant Barbara Dexter, who filled in for Stevens after she left, will now oversee the office until Stajduhar’s replacement is selected. 

Old Lyme First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder said Wednesday that her discussions began with Stajduhar after she expressed an interest in returning to her old job. Stajduhar is slated to return to work in Old Lyme on Jan. 5. 

“We’re delighted to have her back. She served our town very well,” Reemsnyder said. 

She said the town had advertised the vacancy but had not yet filled the position. 

“We’re coming up on a budget for us, so it’s a wonderful thing,” she said about Stajduhar’s return.

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