East Lyme — Selectwoman Holly Cheeseman, who in November was elected to be state representative for East Lyme and Salem, announced Wednesday that she intends to resign from the Board of Selectmen.

Cheeseman will be sworn into state office on Jan. 4.

During Wednesday's Board of Selectmen meeting, she said that while the town's charter does not require her to resign from the board when she becomes state representative, she feels that, given the likely busy legislative session, it would be appropriate to step down to allow someone with more time to serve.

She thanked the current members of the Board of Selectmen and former members of the board, including Paul Formica, former first selectman and current state senator, for a great five years.

"It's been a real privilege to serve here, and I'm equally honored to be able to go and represent the citizens of East Lyme and Salem in Hartford," she said.

First Selectman Mark Nickerson said Cheeseman "represented the town wonderfully and with grace and pride."

The selectmen are expected to vote at their next meeting on Jan. 4 on a new member to the Board of Selectmen to serve the remainder of Cheeseman's term. They are soliciting applications from both town committees, Nickerson said.