Committee Report - C of APM - 10-15-18 — File 206865

Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee Page 1 of 3 Printed 10/16/2018 October 15, 2018 REPORT OF THE CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENTS AND PERSONNEL MATTERS COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Jefferson Thomas ("J.T.") Scott Chair Present Stephanie Hirsch Vice Chair Present Wilfred N. Mbah Alderman at Large Present Lance L. Davis Ward Six Alderman Present Ben Ewen-Campen Ward Three Alderman Absent Others present: John Long - City Clerk, Chief David Fallon - SPD, Chief Charles Breen - SFD, Christopher Major - SFD, Kristen Stelljes - CPA, Frank Goran - Assessing, Candace Cooper - Personnel, Ellen Collins - Personnel, Frank Wright - Law, Annie Connor - Legislative Liaison, Rositha Durham - Clerk of Committees. The meeting took place in the Committee Room and was called to order at 6:06 PM by Chairman Scott and adjourned at 7:20 PM. Approval of the September 17, 2018 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED Approval of the September 24, 2018 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED 206717: Requesting the appointment of Jorge Morel to the position of Police Officer. Chief Fallon introduced the candidate, Jorge Morel, who is an immigrant from the Dominic Republic and is fluent in Spanish. Mr. Morel is a graduate of Somerville High School and remembers the school resource officers in high school talking to him about being a police officer. The candidate is currently working in security positions. Chairman Scott asked the candidate about Black Lives Matters and what it means to him. The candidate was asked if he wanted legal counsel in Executive Session to record the meeting.

Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee Page 2 of 3 Printed 10/16/2018 The committee took a vote to go into Executive Session. No votes were taken during Executive Session, except to adjourn and return to open session. RESULT: APPROVED 206809: Requesting the appointment of Seamus Lynch to the position of Fire Fighter. The candidate informed the committee that he was not notified of the Executive Session within 48 hours of tonight’s meeting and as a result, his interview was not conducted. Another meeting of the committee will be scheduled for October 16, 2018 in order for the candidate to be interviewed prior to the start of the next Fire Academy class. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 206810: Requesting the appointment of Troy Martini to the position of Fire Fighter. The candidate informed the committee that he was not notified of the Executive Session within 48 hours of tonight’s meeting and as a result, his interview was not conducted. Another meeting of the committee will be scheduled for October 16, 2018 in order for the candidate to be interviewed prior to the start of the next Fire Academy class. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 205383: Requesting the appointment of Gerald McCue to the Somerville Retirement Board. The candidate withdrew from consideration in order to accept another position. RESULT: WITHDRAWN 206609: Requesting the appointment of Richard Scanlon to the Board of Assessors. Mr. Golden introduced Richard Scanlon, his mentor, colleague and friend, whom he has known for three decades. Mr. Scanlon served on the Board of Assessors for the Town of Billerica since 1993 and oversees the assessing responsibility for $6.3 billion of taxable property, consisting of approximately 16,000 parcels with an annual property tax levy of over $122 million. Somerville’s Board of Assessors currently has one acting member and a vacancy (created by the recent death of a long-standing member). Members were told that three voters are necessary for the Board of Assessors to take any actions. The candidate was asked his responsibility on the Board and about being biased in decision making and court cases. His work would include abatement applications, appeals to the Mass Tax Board and interactions with tax attorneys. RESULT: APPROVED 206718: Requesting the appointment of Christopher Allen to the Licensing Commissioner. Mr. Long introduced Christopher Allen and explained that the Licensing Commission operates as part of the City Clerk’s office and has the primary responsibility for the 200-300 licenses for alcohol, Inns and package stores. At the present time, there are only two members on the

Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee Page 3 of 3 Printed 10/16/2018 Commission. The candidate, who has been living in Somerville for over four years, spoke about updating rules and making the licensing process fair, transparent and equitable and noted that minutes of the Commissions meetings haven’t been posted since April 2018. He distributed a map showing the population density and package store locations and was asked about the medical marijuana overlay. Mr. Allen was concerned that having automatic payments made to the city for sales of medical marijuana may force out a lot of small businesses. RESULT: APPROVED Handouts: • Police Certification (with 206717) • Density Map (with 206718)