Planning board recommends Valerie Peck for associate member

The Hamilton Planning Board voted June 16 to forward a recommendation to the select board to appoint Valerie Peck as an associate member of the planning board.

Peck, who said she has a background in real-estate acquisitions and has followed the board’s recent work (including the 100‑acre matter near her home and the Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary application), told members she was drawn by the board’s deliberative approach and wanted to contribute time and practical skills. “I was interested because I came into this in a very... I have a real estate background in acquisitions and some development,” Peck said.

Board members praised Peck’s willingness to learn the local bylaws and planning materials; the chair read the relevant zoning bylaw language describing associate-member appointments and said the board would send its recommendation to the select board the following morning. A motion to vote on the recommendation was made and seconded and the board approved sending the recommendation. The chair noted next steps: the select board’s appointment, swearing-in by the clerk, and completion of required ethics training.

What happens next: the board will send the recommendation to the select board for appointment; if appointed, Peck will be sworn in and will complete ethics training before participating in deliberations.