Committee Report - C of APM - 10-29-18 — File 206952

Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee Page 1 of 3 Printed 11/1/2018 October 29, 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 Absent Wilfred N. Mbah Alderman at Large Present Lance L. Davis Ward Six Alderman Present Ben Ewen-Campen Ward Three Alderman Present Others present: Nency Salamoun - HHS, Sarah White - OSPCD, Chris Hosman - HHS, Paul Mackey - SHA, Nick Salerno - Elections, John Long - City Clerk, Rositha Durham - Clerk of Committees. The meeting took place in the Committee Room and was called to order at 6:03 PM by Chairman Scott and adjourned at 8:30 PM. 204956: Requesting the appointment of Lara Versari to the Human Rights Commission. Ms. Salamoun Lara Versari, who formerly worked in the Somerville school system and wants to continue to be engaged in the community where she is living and raising her family. Her goal is to restore power and effectiveness in human rights. The committee members were impressed with her resume and hope that she will work on the Commission’s website to make information easier to find. The Human Rights Commission meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday of the month and this year, to date, the Commission has been unable to attain a quorum. Ms. Salamoun is still recruiting members for this Commission. RESULT: APPROVED 206719: Requesting the appointment of Eleanor Rances to the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners. Mr. Mackey introduced Eleanor Rances, who has been in the housing field for 22 years, to the committee. Ms. Rances has served as the President for Bryant Manor for 8 years and also worked on the Fair Housing Committee for 10 years and on the Council on Aging. She would like to continue helping tenants and stated it’s important to listen before making a decision. She

Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee Page 2 of 3 Printed 11/1/2018 is also interested in helping non-English speaking tenants. All committee members were impressed with Ms. Rances credentials and resume and offered to help in any way possible. RESULT: APPROVED 206720: Requesting the appointment of Paula Vancini to the Ethics Commission. Mr. Salerno introduced Paula Vancini, who owns a small accounting practice in Somerville and previously served as Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer for the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Salerno told the committee that nearly a dozen applications were received for this position and all were reviewed by the committee appointed by the Mayor. Ms. Vancini stated she was looking for an opportunity to broaden her horizons and to give back to the city. Chairman Scott asked the candidate about her name being used as a financial director of a film company, apparently without her knowledge. The responsibilities of the Ethics Commission include reviewing Statements of Financial Interest submitted annually by elected officials. There has not been a known conflict of interest during the 15 years, according to Mr. Salerno. RESULT: APPROVED 206610: Requesting the appointment of Stephanie Galaitsi to the Commission for Women. Mr. Hosman introduced Stephanie Galaitsi and told the committee that he was very impressed with her talent for outreach. The Commission has been having trouble attaining meeting quorums. Presently, there are 8 members on the Commission and efforts were undertaken to recruit one more. Ms. Galaitsi told the committee that she did not know that the Commission for Women existed and that she would like to work on outreach to make more people aware of the programs available to them, especially new moms, and to ensure that women receive the resources they need. RESULT: APPROVED 206331: Requesting the re-appointment of John McKenna to the Licensing Commission. Mr. Long introduced John McKenna, who was born and raised in Somerville and who served as an Alderman at Large in 1980 and as an Election Commissioner in 2000. In 2003, Mr. McKenna was appointed to the Licensing Commission. Alderman Davis asked the candidate for his thoughts about recreational marijuana and regulating it like alcohol. RESULT: APPROVED 204660: Requesting the re-appointment of Alan Bingham as an Alternate Member of the Historic Preservation Commission. Alderman Ewen-Campen recused himself from all discussion and votes on this item. RESULT: PLACED ON FILE 206373: Requesting the appointment of Alan Bingham as a Member of the Historic

Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee Page 3 of 3 Printed 11/1/2018 Preservation Commission. Alderman Ewen-Campen recused himself from all discussion and votes on this item. Ms. White introduced Alan Bingham, who was recently elected as Chairman of the Commission, which is comprised of 7 regular members and 7 alternates. Chairman Scott commented that in 2016, only 1 meeting’s minutes were published; in 2017, 3 were published and in 2018, only 2 had been published. The committee was told that the Commission did not have a dedicated staff person to take notes at the Commission’s meetings, however, someone is currently working on minutes (for the next meeting) to be voted on by the Commission. It was noted that all meetings are recorded. The Commission has now established the person, who will be Secretary, to take care of the notes. This person does not need to be a member of the Commission. Chairman Scott inquired about buildings that were demolished and the process involved and was told that some properties need more time to be reviewed, perhaps up to 24 months. There were also questions about the preservation process. RESULT: APPROVED Handouts: • Human Rights Comm (with 204956) • Versari, Lara HRC CV (with 204956) • Versari, Lara HRC - Cover Letter (with 204956) • Somerville Housing Authority (with 206719) • Rances, Eleanor SHA - AAC Recommendation Memo _Redacted (with 206719) • Ethics Commission (with 206720) • Vancini, Paula Ethics Comm AAC Recommendation_Redacted (with 206720) • Galaitsi, Stephanie SCW CV (with 206610) • Galaitsi, Stephanie SCW form (with 206610) • LICENSING COMMISSION (with 206331) • Historic Preservation Commission (with 204660) • Bingham, Alan HPC CV (with 206373)