West Marin residents have another chance at a seat on the North Marin Water District board following the death last month of longtime director John Schoonover at age 89. The district is accepting applications to fill the vacancy until the general election in November 2018, with a deadline of 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 14. Applicants must reside within the district—which covers Point Reyes Station, Olema, Bear Valley, Inverness Park, Oceana Marin and the greater Novato area—and submit a letter of interest that describes their experience, educational background and previous public service. There hasn’t been a West Marin representative on the board since Dennis Rodoni resigned earlier this year to join the Board of Supervisors. Stephen Petterle, the board’s president, said the district is looking for an applicant who can communicate effectively and has some background in government. He said they’re “certainly open” to West Marin candidates, but that the seat is not dedicated to any region. “We’re looking for a well-rounded candidate that has an interest and a little expertise,” he said. “If that candidate happens to be from West Marin, that’s great, and if not, so be it. We’re not going to ignore our West Marin constituents one way or another.” Earlier this year, Point Reyes Station resident Rhonda Kutter was one of two finalists vying to replace Mr. Rodoni on the board, but she lost to Novato resident Michael Joly in a coin toss after the four-person board reached an impasse. North Marin has recently approved its budget for capital improvement projects in West Marin, with the largest project, the replacement of a water tank damaged in the 1995 Vision Fire, estimated to cost $550,000. Another project, valued at $75,000, will replace the green-sand filter at the Point Reyes treatment plant. The district initiated a $32 rate hike for median West Marin customers starting July 1, the second annual hike in a multi-year plan to raise funds for the improvements. The board will make an appointment to fill the vacancy at a public meeting to be held no later than Sept. 1. Anyone interested in applying should call Katie Young, the district’s secretary, at (415) 897.4133.