109 Oldham Place
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Phone: 919-428-5952
pennyrich.ch@gmail.com
Term of Service
2009-2013
Biography
Penny Rich was elected in November of 2009 to the Town Council. She is a small business owner of a personal chef-catering service, writes a food blog and teaches classes on healthy menu planning.
Penny was raised and educated in New York City and lived in Fort Lauderdale and New Orleans before moving to Chapel Hill with her family in 1998. She has been involved with the Town since her arrival, serving from 2001-2007 on the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) Board of Directors, where she held the positions of vice chair, secretary of the board, chairperson of the human resources committee, and chairperson of the natural resources committee.
Penny is a former member of the Chapel Hill Technology Advisory Committee, is an active volunteer for the Inter-Faith Council’s Community Kitchen and serves on the Ironwoods Homeowner’s Association where she is the chairperson of the neighborhood impact committee.
She lives with her husband Chris, their two sons Mikko and Brody, her mother Jacky, and black lab Yumi.
Membership
- Chapel Hill Public Arts Commission-Public Art Review Committee for Green Infrastructure
- Council Committee: Orange Water and Sewer Authority (Interview Committee)
- Council Committee: Sustainability, Energy, and Environment
- Justice in Action Committee
- Mayor's Committee: Council Communications
- Mayor's Committee: Campaign Public Financing
- Intergovernmental Rogers Road Work Group
Duties
The primary mission of the Mayor and Council, as the governing body of the Town is to adopt and provide for the execution of ordinances, rules and regulations as may be necessary or appropriate to protect health, life or property, or to promote the comfort, convenience, security, good order, better government, or the general welfare of the Town and its citizens.
The Mayor and eight Council Members constitute the governing body of the Town. In accordance with the Town’s Charter, the voters elect a Mayor every two years. Council Members are elected to four-year, staggered terms on an at-large basis. Town Council duties include:
- Amendment of previously adopted policies through changes in the Town Code of Ordinances and the Development Ordinance, and by revision of policies and documents.
- Appointment of advisory boards, commissions, task forces and committees.
- Appointment of the Town Manager and Town Attorney.
- Establishment of agreements with other governments.
High Resolution Photograph