Stinson Will Not Seek Second Term as Selectman

The youngest person ever to be elected a member of the Hamilton Board of Selectmen announced Monday he will not seek a second term.

Jeff Stinson, 25, said he will not run for reelection in April's election and instead wants to encourage others to step forward to fill the two three-year terms that are up for election.

"I feel very strongly that constant refreshment of the board is necessary to keep it effective," he said, later adding; "I hope that people see this as encouragement to get involved."

Stinson said it was one of the greatest experiences of his life and that he plans to remain involved with town government.

“It has been an incredible opportunity and I feel privileged to have been able to serve my neighbors here in Hamilton,” Stinson said in his Monday afternoon announcement.

He noted that when he ran for the board in 2010 there were five candidates for the two new spots on the board, which was being expanded from three seats to five seats.

Stinson said he feels his top accomplishment was to help bridge the divide between in what he called "a once divided town."

"The bitter divide that existed pretty much no longer exists," he said.

In his announcement,. Stinson wrote that he was "proud to have played some role in easing the tensions and bringing us all together to find meaningful solutions that benefit everyone.”

To date, one candidate has pulled papers. Galean "Bud" Campbell has pulled papers and returned the required number of signatures. Town Clerk Jane Wetson said the signatures have yet to be certified.

The other seat that is up for reelection is held by Marc Johnson.