The municipal affairs minister has directed the lone member of the Salmon Cove town council to run the community until a by-election is held in the coming weeks.

Minister Chris Tibbs wrote Deputy Mayor Scott Butt acknowledging the recent resignation of four town councillors and giving him and the town clerk the authority to run the town until a new council is elected.

The town must call a byelection to fill the vacant positions within 60 days.

The councilllors, who say they work well together, resigned en-masse this week citing “constant, ongoing issues” that they felt they didn’t have the ability to address.

They were unable to elaborate, citing “legal and confidential obligations.”