HALLOWELL -- Voters will have the opportunity to weigh in on one additional city council seat when they visit the polls in November.

Dot Mithee, an at-large councilor of more than five years, has decided to step down at the end of the year, two years into her three-year term. The move puts five positions on the seven-member council in play on November's ballot.

The councilor's replacement will serve out the remainder of Mithee's term and have the opportunity to run for reelection in November 2009.

Mithee said she decided to step down amid too many constraints on her time.

"I wasn't happy with my performance," she said. "My plate was too full."

Mithee is also president of the Hallowell Food Bank and, since the spring, has worked as community liaison to Hallowell for city developer Kevin Mattson. For much of the winter, she said, Mithee had her hands full caring for her sick mother.