Bainbridge City Councilman Roger Townsend will take over as deputy mayor in January, but for a shortened term that will run for three months.

The city council elected Townsend to the post at its meeting last week, and noted the term was cut in half because of potential schedule conflicts for Townsend, an attorney and founding member of the Seattle law firm Breskin, Johnson & Townsend.

The vote was 5-1, with Townsend abstaining.

His fellow council members quipped that Townsend would be given an option to renew his deputy mayor duties in three months.

Council members pick from their ranks to choose a mayor and deputy mayor, and the ceremonial posts carry the tasks of helping to set the weekly agenda, running council meetings and representing the city.