Hillegass to remain chair of Planning Commission
Published 5:28 pm Tuesday, January 21, 2025
- Julia Hillegass, pictured third from right, was reelected chairwoman of the Smithfield Planning Commission for 2025. (Photo courtesy of Town of Smithfield)
Smithfield’s Planning Commission saw minimal changes in its membership and leadership at its first 2025 meeting on Jan. 14.
The commissioners voted unanimously to reelect Julia Hillegass as its chairwoman for 2025, marking her second year in the role.
She succeeded 2023 Chairman Charles Bryan last year.
Commissioner Thomas Pope then nominated Bill Davidson to serve another term as vice chairman, but Davidson declined the nomination, prompting Hillegass to nominate GiGi Smith in his place.
Bryan also nominated Pope as vice chairman but Pope declined the nomination. The vote to name Smith as vice chairwoman passed unanimously.
The meeting also marked the first appearance of Darren Cutler in his role as a commissioner. At the Town Council’s reorganizational meeting on Jan. 7, Mayor Mike Smith named Cutler as the council’s new liaison to the Planning Commission.
Cutler was one of three newcomers elected to the council in November. He succeeds Randy Pack in the liaison role. Pack, whose council term ended Dec. 31, chose not to run for reelection in 2024.
