Peterborough Select Board member Karen Hatcher resigned from the board Wednesday, the Town of Peterborough stated in a press release Friday.
Hatcher was hired as the town’s part time Community and Economic Development Coordinator earlier this year to help manage and mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 and the Main Street Bridge project.
Citing the challenges inherent in managing the two positions simultaneously as reason for her resignation, Hatcher said, “When I accepted the role as CEDC, I, along with other members of town leadership, didn’t and couldn’t predict the intensity and velocity of community and economic issues that would need to be addressed. The restrictions placed on the Select Board through the Right to Know laws made my ability to inform, advise and act on behalf of the board in my staff position untenable. My resignation from the board will allow me to respond to community needs more efficiently and effectively going forward.”
Hatcher remains committed to the work of ensuring a strong and resilient Peterborough and looks forward to supporting the efforts of town leadership as they work through the myriad challenges ahead, the press release stated. She will also continue in her volunteer efforts with the Peterborough Welcome Team, the Monadnock Nonprofit Network, the NH School Funding Fairness Project, and other opportunities that call her to service.
“I have appreciated the high level of trust placed in me by members of the community and by fellow Select Board Members, Tyler Ward and Bill Taylor. I am proud of the work we have done together and will do my best to support the board and our community as part of the town’s administrative staff.”
Hatcher won election in May 2017, filling a seat vacated by Ed Juengst. Her last public meeting will be Tuesday, Sept. 2.
The Select Board is expected to appoint a replacement to fill the vacant seat, which will be up for re-election in May of 2021.