HPC recommendation letter - April 2023 — File 23-0795

Date: March 21, 2023 To: Mayor Katjana Ballantyne From: Appointments Advisory Committee CC: Wendy Sczechowicz RE: Recommendation for Appointment to the Historic Preservation Commission Dear Mayor Ballantyne, The Appointments Advisory Committee (AAC) hereby recommends the following candidates for appointment to the vacancies on the Historic Preservation Commission Vacancy 1: Regular Member, Citizen Member First choice: Colin Curzi Second choice: Denise Price Vacancy 2: Regular Member, Citizen Member First choice: Denise Price, if not chosen for other position Second choice: Colin Curzi, if not chosen for other position Vacancy 3: Alternate Member, Local Historical District Resident First choice: Daniel Coughlan The HPC received three (3) applications for nine (9) vacancies and extended interviews to three applicants. All three candidates were interviewed and were asked a set of questions to obtain information on their motivation for seeking the position and their qualifications to undertake the assigned duties. Vacancy 1: Regular Member, Citizen Member First choice: Colin Curzi is a resident whose work has been helping connect local government and developments. He advocated for being focused on the sustainable preservation of buildings, while looking to the future. He also noted that he worked on securing a historical plaque for a building in Clinton County, New Jersey, after its historical value was uncovered by research. Colin shows an admiration for the historical meaning of the buildings that make up the streets of Somerville and would add value to the HPC if he is chosen as a member. Second choice: Denise Price is a Somerville resident who resides in a historical building. She is associated with the Condo association of that building and serves on the Board of Trustees for

another historical building in the city of Somerville. She is both a real estate agent and general contractor license holder in two states. Denise previously won the Director's Award from the HPC, is an Arts Council member, and published author. These factors all add up to Denise being a good candidate for the HPC. Vacancy 2: Regular Member, Citizen member First choice: We feel that whichever member is not chosen for the first seat would be a great candidate for the second seat available Second choice: Daniel Coughlin is a new resident, residing in a historic building in the city. He has worked as an architect in both commercial and residential buildings in the city. He currently works as an artist and designer in the Joy Street Buildings in Somerville. Daniel’s experience as an architect and artist can be of value to the commission. Vacancy 3: Alternate member, Local Historic District Resident First choice: Daniel Coughlin is a new resident, residing in a historic building in the city. He has worked as an architect in both commercial and residential buildings in the city. He currently works as an artist and designer in the Joy Street Buildings in Somerville. Daniel’s experience as an architect and artist can be of value to the commission. His being a newer member and still finding his footing around is the reason we feel he could be best suited as an alternate member, at this stage. It is the opinion of the AAC that while all candidates recommended here meet the qualifications and would contribute to the work of the Historical Preservation Commission, Colin Curzi and Denise Price stand out as especially strong candidates, and therefore are recommended for the open positions as regular members. Daniel Coughlin would be a strong candidate for the position of Local Historic District Resident, commission alternate. Respectfully submitted, Anthony Adam Diana Cai Toni Czekanski Crystal Huff Liliane Paiva Anna Gartsman, Staff Liaison