Port Townsend City Council has appointed Port Townsend resident and Planning Commission member Neil Nelson to Council Position 2.

There were four candidates interviewed for the position.

Nelson, a general contractor and business owner, will relinquish his seat on the Planning Commission to serve on the City Council.

The Council vacancy came about in May, when council member Aislinn Palmer submitted her resignation because she would be moving out of Port Townsend and state law prohibits council members from holding office if they reside outside the city they represent.

On May 20, the City Council determined the appointment process and posted the application, and interviews were conducted on July 23. The council made the appointment on Aug. 5. 

Nelson’s swearing-in was scheduled for Monday, August 12, at the City Council workshop.

Nelson is expected to serve the remainder of the Position 2 term through November 2025.

Nelson has served on the Planning Commission for the past three years, and wrote in his application for the council appointment that serving on the Planning Commission “has helped me become more involved in being of service to Port Townsend. It seems to me that being a member of the City Council is the next step forward.”

Nelson also wrote, “I have learned during my time on the Planning Commission that each issue is always far more involved and that all related viewpoints are very worthy of consideration. I pride myself on waiting until I have all the necessary facts before weighing in on any given subject.”

Mayor David Faber described Nelson as “a great asset to our community,” adding that he “brings a wealth of unique knowledge to the work of the City Council given his background in construction.”

Faber added that he was also “impressed by Neil’s caring and compassionate nature, particularly through his work helping people in recovery.”