The Peabody City Council on Oct. 23 unanimously approved three personnel actions: the appointments of Leslie Quartermance and Derek McCarthy as alternate members of the Conservation Commission and the reappointment of Sharon Cameron as human services director.

The council voted 11–0 to confirm Quartermance as an alternate member after Mayor Bettencourt introduced her and described her background in conservation. Quartermance told the council she would "do my best judgment and to follow the rules and regulations of the wetlands act in law." Councilor Gould moved the nomination; Council President Julie Daigle presided over the roll call.

The council then voted 11–0 to confirm Derek McCarthy as a second alternate. McCarthy said he has lived in Peabody for 39 years, described himself as “a huge nature lover” and said his experience as an Eagle Scout and as a resident motivated him to serve. Councilor McGinn moved the nomination; the roll call again returned 11–0.

Separately, the council unanimously reappointed Sharon Cameron as human services director for a one-year term (term date recorded in the motion). Councilors praised Cameron’s long service and work for public health; Councilor Manning Martin said she is “one of the busiest workers that we have in the city.” Councilor Gamache moved the reappointment; the roll call vote was 11–0.

These votes were taken after the council’s brief ceremonial recognitions earlier in the meeting and followed standard roll-call procedures. The appointments to the Conservation Commission will place both alternates in that board’s pool of voting members when regular commissioners are absent or recused. The human services reappointment continues Cameron’s leadership of the city’s social services and public-health-related programs.

The measures carried without recorded dissent. The council did not attach additional conditions to any of the three confirmations.