New London — Jane Glover has resigned as the city's chief administrative officer a month earlier than expected because of health reasons, Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio announced on Friday.

"She deeply regrets that her health does not allow her to serve longer, as she had hoped to serve until April," Finizio said in an email to members of the City Council. "Words cannot express my gratitude to Ms. Glover for her service to our City during such a difficult time. Without her guidance and leadership our new form of government would never have gotten off the ground."

Finizio asked that council members join him in thanking her for her service and in praying for her recovery. Glover has served as Finizio's chief administrative officer since he took office in 2011.

Finizio said he has appointed Laura Natusch as the new chief administrative officer, in "a redefined position serving as a policy aide to me personally rather than in the manner with which Jane held this office." Natusch was hired about a month ago as an office administrator and policy analyst. Finizio said the chief administrative officer position is required by the city charter.

Natusch is a Democrat who ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the City Council last year. She holds a degree from the Rhode Island School of Design and owns a soap-making business. Finizio previously announced she would earn an annual salary of $26,000.