Committee Report - C of APM - 12-9-19 — File 209392

Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee Page 1 of 4 Printed 12/11/2019 December 9, 2019 REPORT OF THE CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENTS AND PERSONNEL MATTERS COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Jefferson Thomas ("J.T.") Scott Chair Present Ben Ewen-Campen Vice Chair Present Jesse Clingan Ward Four City Councilor Absent Wilfred N. Mbah City Councilor at Large Absent Mary Jo Rossetti City Councilor at Large Absent Matthew McLaughlin Ward One City Councilor Present Committee members present: Chairman JT Scott and Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen. Councilor Matt McLaughlin was appointed by the president to be a part of this committee due to another committee meeting happening at the same time. Members Councilor Jesse Clingan, Councilor- at-large Wilfred Mbah and Councilor-at-large Mary Jo Rossetti were absent attending the Traffic and Parking Committee of the Whole and public hearings. Others present: Annie Connor-Intergovernmental Affairs Director, Heidi Burbidge-OSPCD Housing, Malik Drayton-Conservation Agent and candidates for agenda items. The meeting was held in the Committee Room and was called to order at 6:00 pm by Chairman Scott and adjourned at 6:55 pm. Approval of the November 4, 2019 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED 205124: Requesting the re-appointment of Rachel Borgatti to the Conservation Commission. Candidate was not able to appear. Mr. Drayton and Mr. Fager stated Ms. Borgatti has been the chair for the Conservation Commission for the last two terms. She is outspoken, an activist and an active participant in city discussions. Additionally, Ms. Borgatti has the support of the members. Conservation Commission meetings are held the 4th Tuesday of every month from 7- 9. Here are some of the items discussed at the Conservation Commission meetings: community garden, Notice of Intent, Wetlands Protection Act and DCR major revisions for Draw 7.

Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee Page 2 of 4 Printed 12/11/2019 RESULT: APPROVED 205125: Requesting the re-appointment of Owen Wartella to the Conservation Commission. RESULT: WITHDRAWN 207213: Requesting the re-appointment of Michael Fager as a member of the Conservation Commission. Mr. Drayton introduced Mr. Fager who has been on the commission for 20 years and has experience in natural research science. Mr. Fager stated he has always had an interest in the natural world and does everything to protect the commonwealth. He has lived here since 1982. He is an advocate for open space, affordable housing and wants to continue enhancing and enforcing community gardens. RESULT: APPROVED 207214: Requesting the re-appointment of David Turin as a member of the Conservation Commission. Mr. Drayton introduced Mr. Turin who has 30 years’ experience with Environmental Protection Agency. Mr. Turin has been on the commission for 11-12 years with background in environmental science. RESULT: APPROVED 209236: Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Newton Tedder to the Conservation Commission. Mr. Drayton introduced Mr. Tedder who was recommended by Somerville’s Appointments Advisory Committee. Mr. Tedder is an Environmental Scientist with US Environmental Protection Agency. He is the lead permit writer for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer (MS4) and is involved in the Wetlands Protection Agency and supports better storm water management. RESULT: APPROVED 209237: Requesting confirmation of the re-appointment of Aladdine Joroff to the Conservation Commission. Ms. Joroff has been on the conservation commission just short of 5 years. She started getting involved with the conservation commission since she was in graduate school and has continued her interest in this field for 20 years. Ms. Joroff talked about the impact on local economy regarding wetlands. She has worked on wetlands permits projects and has a good source of information on the subject. RESULT: APPROVED

Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee Page 3 of 4 Printed 12/11/2019 209235: Requesting confirmation of the appointment of David Gibbs to the Affordable Housing Trust. Ms. Burbidge introduced Mr. Gibbs who will be representing low to moderate households. Mr. Gibbs was recommended by the Somerville Appointment Advisory Committee. This position must be filled by a representation of a Somerville non-project organization whose primary mission is affordable housing. Mr. Gibbs is currently the Executive Director of Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS). He is most excited about the transfer fee passing. CAAS receives funding which is used to pay the landlords first and last month’s rent and other related expenses, for eligible residents. RESULT: APPROVED 209318: Requesting confirmation of the appointment of Heather D. Heimarck to the Community Preservation Committee. Mr. Fager introduced Ms. Heimarck in his role of chair for the Community Preservation Committee. Ms. Heimarck has lived in Somerville for 24 years. She is the sole proprietor of HighMark Land Design with experience in community design, sustainable landscape design and knowledge of construction materials and best practices. Ms. Heimarck has a Master of Landscape Architecture from Harvard University Graduate School of Design. Ms. Heimarck has also been involved in CPA funding in New Bedford, Somerville and Boston. RESULT: APPROVED 209091: Requesting the re-appointment of Catello Battinelli II as Constable. Ms. Connor attended this meeting responding to items 10-12 together. Chairman Scott stated there has been a lot of conversations about the constables. They serve papers for legal notices, evictions and people to appear in court. It was changed that only Somerville residents could be constables in Somerville and now the number of constables is down to 7. If the constables are unable to serve papers, then the Sheriffs from the Middlesex Sheriff’s office would serve papers. Constables have the power to arrest and many carry firearms. They do not report to the Somerville Police Department. Licenses need to be renewed every year. Councilors Ewen-Campen and Scott followed up with the SPD about a more formalized process asking about the criminal history of constables. The chair reviewed all candidates last year with the intent to review on an every other year basis. The committee was comfortable with the report from Sgt. Whelan with no complaints about re-appointing the constables in items 10-12. RESULT: APPROVED 209092: Requesting the re-appointment of Mary Battinelli as Constable. RESULT: APPROVED 209093: Requesting the re-appointment of Alan Bishop as Constable.

Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee Page 4 of 4 Printed 12/11/2019 RESULT: APPROVED Handouts: • Fager, Michael CV Conservation Comm (with 207213) • Turin, David Con Com CV-1 (with 207214) • Gibbs AAC Affordable Housing Trust memo-1 (with 209235) • Tedder AAC Conservation Commission memo (with 209236) • Joroff, Aladdine Con Com CV 12.9.19-1 (with 209237)