Delia Hamlet has Proven Bipartisan Track Record Against Overdevelopment

TAPinto Summit

By Elliot Fishman

A couple of years ago, I had the privilege of co-chairing a group of concerned Summit residents fighting overdevelopment. An out-of-state developer called the Primrose Group intended to build an oversized school in a residential neighborhood. The project would have ruined the character, quality of life, and pedestrian safety of the entire neighborhood. Residents feared additional traffic and parking overflow on surrounding streets in one of the town’s busiest commute corridors. Over 200 families banded together, attended planning board meetings, engaged in neighborhood conversations and circulated petitions.

Delia Hamlet was one of the most active and outspoken members of the group opposing Primrose, even while she lived across town. As a mother of three, she immediately grasped the public safety concerns. And as a longtime community member, she immediately saw what Primrose intended to build was out of scale to Summit’s unique, hometown feel. In one forum she noted Primrose was an affront to the generations of activist citizens who came before us, whose own efforts to control development provided all of us now with such a special place to raise our families.

What stood out most about Delia’s leadership on the Primrose battle was her unwavering drive, determination, and dedication to protect the interests of her Summit neighbors. She has always been for public safety and against overdevelopment.

The 200 of us fighting Primrose at town planning board meetings were a highly-diverse group. While we were all Summit residents, we came from different parts of town, ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, and political affiliations.

Fast forward a couple of years, and history repeats itself with Broad Street West. Over 1700 of us have already signed a petition in opposition of the current Broad Street West Redevelopment plan.  I believe many more in town would join our group, if they became aware of the grossly outsized buildings. As Delia has said, Broad Street West would forever urbanize Summit’s downtown to the detriment of its current friendly village feel.

The fight against BSW is a major reason Delia is running for office. As we strive to retain Summit’s suburban character, manageable pace, and quaint downtown, it is incredibly important that we elect officials like Delia who have in mind the interests of all Summit residents. With Delia, there is no quibbling about one’s typical political affiliation. She is truly the bipartisan candidate we all need on council.

Elliot Fishman, Summit