City Council - Appointment Committee

Appointment Committee Minutes December 16, 2024 Members present: Councilor Riley, Councilor Smith Members absent: Councilor Gomez Also in Attendance: The meeting was called to order by Councilor Riley at 6:00 pm 1. Public Speak Time: None. 2. Approval of meeting notes: None 3. Continuing Business: None. 4. New Business: NAME POSITION / BOARD TERM EXPIRES Daniel D. Rist CPA Committee 12/31/2027 Allyson Manuel Dir. Planning & Community Dev. 12/31/2027 First, Councilors considered the Council President’s appointment of Daniel D. Rist to the Community Preservation Act Committee. Given Mr. Rist’s many years of service to the City and the committee, Councilors overwhelmingly supported his appointment. Councilor Smith made a motion to recommend, and Councilor Riley Seconded. Vote: 2-0 APPROVED. Next, Councilors considered the appointment of Allyson Manuel to be the city’s new Director of Planning & Community Development. Allyson answered a dozen or so questions from the committee on her experiences as a Senior Planner and then Director of Planning for the city of West Springfield. The Committee supported her appointment. Councilor Smith made a motion to recommend, and Councilor Riley Seconded. Vote: 2-0 APPROVED Next, Councilors considered a series of Mayoral reappointments. NAME POSITION / BOARD TERM EXPIRES Yoshi Bird Affordable & Fair Housing 12/31/2027 Russell Braen Agricultural Commission 12/31/2027 Michael Czerwiec Aquifer Protection Committee 12/31/2027 Rebecca Passa Community Relations Committee 12/31/2027 Felicia Jadczak Easthampton City Arts 12/31/2027 Theodore Perch Easthampton City Arts 12/31/2027 Michael Czerwiec Historical Commission 12/31/2027 Eric Poulin Parks and Rec Commission 12/31/2027 Councilors reviewed the list of Mayoral reappointments, only having concerns about Mr. Poulin’s reappointment. Except for Mr. Poulin, Councilor Smith made a motion to recommend, and Councilor Riley Seconded. Vote: 2-0 APPROVED. With respect to Mr. Poulin’s reappointment, Councilor Riley received four separate anonymous complaints about his conduct as a Commissioner, specifically toward members of the public, petitioners, other Commissioners, and elected officials. Councilors did not feel comfortable with recommending his appointment. Councilor Smith made a motion to recommend, and Councilor Riley Seconded. Vote: 0-2 REJECTED. Councilor Smith made a motion to adjourn, and Councilor Riley seconded. Vote: 2-0 APPROVED The meeting adjourned at 6:48 pm. Respectfully Submitted, Councilor Brad Riley Chair of Appointments Public Safety Clerk