Boards and Commissions Selection Committee
Regular MeetingBurlington, VT · June 22, 2026
Minutes
2026 Boards & Commissions Selection Committee
Meeting Minutes – June 22, 2026
Meeting called to order at 3:05pm. A quorum was present, with three members in attendance
at the start of the meeting and the additional two members joining late, within the first half hour.
Agenda approved unanimously.
Amended Minutes from the 6/17 Meeting were approved unanimously.
Minutes were amended to include Celia Bird as one of the Public Forum participants.
Public forum closed at 3:14pm.
2 speakers – Nate Lantieri, Miriam Stoll
The Committee conducted interviews:
Board for Registration of Voters: Miriam Stoll, David Cawley, Jeff Comstock
o Michelle Lefkowitz, Kathleen Manning, and Bridget O’Donnell weren’t online
and didn’t complete an interview.
Cemetery Commission: Miles McCallum, Mary Wesley
o Martha Dallas wasn’t online and didn’t complete an interview.
o Chair Monroe Zakaras noted that Miranda post removed her application from
consideration in an email due to her support for Miles McCallum’s application.
Parks and Recreation Commission: Katie Flanagan Mobley, Frank Mamo, Carolyn Felix
o Carolyn Felix interviewed later in the meeting around 5pm due to her work
schedule.
Electric Light Commission: Pike Porter, Paul Dawson
o Lara Bonn, Larry Lewack, Polly Mangan, and Steve Gomez weren’t online and
didn’t complete an interview.
The Committee discussed applications (note: Councilor Barlow had to leave the meeting early
at 4:45pm but joined a continuation of the meeting at 8pm):
Police Commission – Motion passed unanimously to move Michaela Finneran to the slate
of applicants being recommended to City Council for appointment. Second vacancy will
go to the Council floor on the 29th.
o Committee members disagreed on who to recommend for the second vacancy.
Chair Monroe Zakaras, Councilor Sanchez-Parkinson, and Councilor
Grant wanted to put forth Erin Jacobsen, given her extensive background
and expertise in law enforcement policy, particularly the Fair and
Impartial Policing Policy (FIPP), which is needed on the Police
Commission as Burlington grapples with the aftermath of the March 11th
ICE incident in South Burlington.
Councilors Barlow and Carpenter wanted to put forth Romeo von
Hermann because he is an engaged community member who has wanted
to serve on this Commission for a long time and has experience with
issues affecting downtown.
Councilor Carpenter was concerned that Jacobsen would have conflicts of
interest, given her current immigration legal work. She also perceived it to
be awkward that Jacobsen was so recently the Mayor’s Chief of Staff; she
pointed out that City Councilors can’t apply to be on boards/commissions
until a year after they complete their service.
Councilor Grant felt that von Hermann would have his own
conflicts of interest, given his tenure on the Church Street
Marketplace Commission.
Councilor Sanchez-Parkinson pointed out that having conflicts of
interest is a reality of public service while working a day job, and
she trusts Jacobsen and von Hermann will learn how to navigate
that, like what they’ve all had to learn to do.
Councilor Sanchez-Parkinson expressed that she prefers candidates are not
selected for their demographics alone but for their experience, and she
didn’t want hidden biases to shape Councilors’ decision regarding
Jacobsen’s candidacy; she wanted the Committee to create a safe space to
have that conversation.
Councilor Barlow expressed a strong incumbency bias, in that he will
nearly always decide to support an incumbent’s candidacy. Chair Monroe
Zakaras and Councilor Grant weighed in that in the first meeting on June
17, the Committee agreed that incumbency would be respected and
overweighted relative to other considerations, but that it wouldn’t be a
guarantee to re-appointment.
Church Street Marketplace Commission – Motion passed unanimously to move Rebecca
Holt (at large), Erik Monsen (at large), and Marykate Moore (at large) to the slate of
applicants being recommended to City Council for appointment.
o The City will need to repost for the 4th vacancy, which needs to be filled with a
CSM or downtown business owner per charter. No applicants fit this requirement.
o Romeo von Hermann removed his application from consideration for re-
appointment to this Commission because he expressed a preference for
consideration for the Police Commission.
Planning Commission – Motion passed unanimously to move Erin Malone to the slate of
applicants being recommended to City Council for appointment. Second vacancy will go
to the Council floor on the 29th.
o Committee members disagreed on who to recommend for the second vacancy.
Chair Monroe Zakaras, Councilor Sanchez-Parkinson, and Councilor
Grant wanted to put forth Henry Severance, given his expertise on
affordable housing (works at Evernorth), and the fact that he would bring
new energy and perspectives to the Board that aligns with the current
moment in Burlington regarding housing and planning.
Councilor Carpenter wanted to put forth Andy Montroll, given his long
tenure on the Commission (17 years) and the fact that he has been an
engaged member with good service.
Councilor Barlow was not present for this discussion as he had to leave
the meeting early, though Councilor Carpenter said he would agree with
the choice to put forth Andy Montroll.
Retirement Board – Motion passed unanimously to move David Mount to the slate of
applicants being recommended to City Council for appointment. Second vacancy will go
to the Council floor on the 29th.
o Committee members disagreed on who to recommend for the second vacancy.
Chair Monroe Zakaras, Councilor Sanchez-Parkinson, and Councilor
Grant wanted to put forth Deirdre Keenan, given her experience and
expertise and the importance of expanding the gender representation on
the Board.
Councilor Carpenter wanted to put forth Alan Matson, given that he has
extensive experience and expertise and is an engaged community member.
Councilor Barlow was not present for this discussion as he had to leave
the meeting early, though Councilor Carpenter said he would agree with
the choice to put forth Alan Matson.
Councilor Grant put forth a motion to move Deirdre Keenan to the slate of
recommendations; Chair Monroe Zakaras seconded the motion. It failed 3-
1.
Board for Registration of Voters – Motion passed unanimously to move Michelle
Lefkowitz to the slate of applicants being recommended to City Council for appointment.
Second vacancy will go to the Council floor on the 29th.
o Committee members disagreed on who to recommend for the second vacancy.
Chair Monroe Zakaras, Councilor Sanchez-Parkinson, and Councilor
Grant wanted to put forth Miriam Stoll, given her enthusiasm and
dedication demonstrated in her interview, and the fact that she has
experience with how voting rules/procedures affect whether and how
different voters engage, especially those who are from underserved and
vulnerable populations.
Councilor Carpenter wanted to put forth Bridget O’Donnell, which Chair
Monroe Zakaras was open to.
Councilor Barlow was not present for this discussion as he had to leave
the meeting early, though Councilor Carpenter said he would want to put
forth Jeff Comstock.
Note that when the Selection Committee reconvened at 8pm,
Councilor Barlow confirmed that he wants to put forth Jeff
Comstock as a matter of increasing the Republican representation
on the Board.
Councilor Grant expressed strong concern and disagreement with putting
Jeff Comstock onto the slate of recommendations due to his public
expressions of bigotry. She noted that she is willing to support a
Republican candidate, as she had in the past, but that Comstock’s prior
public behaviors and statements disqualified him from board/commission
service.
Cemetery Commission – Motion passed unanimously to move Miles McCallum and
Mary Wesley to the slate of applicants being recommended to City Council for
appointment.
o Councilor Carpenter expressed some reservation about not re-appointing an
incumbent applicant (Martha Dallas). Chair Monroe Zakaras, Councilor Sanchez-
Parkinson, and Councilor Grant appreciated Dallas’s service but expressed strong
support for McCallum because he was a stellar applicant for this particular
Commission, gave a compelling interview, and attended both Committee
meetings, demonstrating his commitment and interest.
o Councilor Barlow was not present for this discussion as he had to leave the
meeting early, though when the Committee reconvened at 8pm, he confirmed his
support for the decision to put forth McCallum.
Parks and Recreation Commission – Motion passed unanimously to move Katie Flanagan
Mobley to the slate of applicants being recommended to City Council for appointment.
Second vacancy will go to the Council floor on the 29th.
o Committee members disagreed on who to recommend for the second vacancy.
Councilor Grant wanted to put forth Frank Mamo because of what he said
in his interview about parks as third spaces, etc.
Councilor Carpenter wanted to put forth Carolyn Felix given her long
history with parks as a former Ethan Allen Homestead caretaker.
Chair Monroe Zakaras and Councilor Sanchez-Parkinson did not express a
strong preference between these two candidates, and Councilor Barlow
was not present for this discussion because he had to leave the meeting
early.
Chair Monroe Zakaras called a recess for the Selection Committee at 6:00pm. A continuation of
the meeting was called to order at 8:05pm. A quorum was present with all Committee members
in attendance.
The Committee continued to discuss applications:
Electric Light Commission – Motion passed unanimously to move Lara Bonn to the slate
of applicants being recommended to City Council for appointment. Second vacancy will
go to the Council floor on the 29th.
o Committee members disagreed on who to recommend for the second vacancy.
Polly Mangan and Paul Dawson were the top two choices for Councilors
Sanchez-Parkinson, Carpenter, and Barlow and for Chair Monroe Zakaras.
Councilor Grant wanted to put forth Pike Porter, given his engagement
and critical eye towards City work and decisions.
GMT Board – Motion passed unanimously to move Andrea Suozzo (full member) and
Larry Lewack (alternate) to the slate of applicants being recommended to City Council
for appointment.
When the discussion of applications concluded, Chair Monroe Zakaras noted that the Selection
Committee had finished their review and recommendations for all Board/Commission
vacancies. She agreed to email the Committee a final slate of its recommendations that evening.
Chair Monroe Zakaras reviewed the decisions made by the Committee in the first portion of the
meeting after Councilor Barlow had to leave early at 4:45pm; Councilor Barlow agreed with the
decisions made.
Moving forward, Chair Monroe Zakaras and Councilor Sanchez-Parkinson noted the need for
more discussion and agreement on consistent review procedures for future Board/Commission
appointments. This would vastly improve the transparency, equity, fairness, and efficiency of the
application and appointment process.
The meeting adjourned at 8:24pm.
Agenda
Boards and Commissions Selection Committee
Monday, June 22, 2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android:
https://zoom.us/j/94003053571
Phone one-tap:
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Join via audio:
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Webinar ID: 940 0305 3571
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1. Agenda
Subject 1.1. Motion to adopt agenda
Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
Category 1. Agenda
Department Mayor's Office
Type Action
Procedural
Recommended Action Motion to adopt agenda
2. June 17, 2026 Meeting Minutes
Subject 2.1. June 17, 2026 Meeting Minutes - Mayor's Office
Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
Category 2. June 17, 2026 Meeting Minutes
Department Mayor's Office
Type Action
Information
Minutes
Recommended Action adopt the June 17, 2026 Meeting Minutes
3. Public Forum
Subject 3.1. Verbal Comments
Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
Category 3. Public Forum
Department Mayor's Office
Type Action
Procedural
Recommended Action open Public Forum
close Public Forum
4. Interviews
Subject 4.1. Board for Registration of Voters (selected applicants only)
Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
Category 4. Interviews
Department Mayor's Office
Type Communication
Subject 4.2. Cemetery Commission
Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
Category 4. Interviews
Department Mayor's Office
Type Communication
Subject 4.3. Parks and Recreation Commission
Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
Category 4. Interviews
Department Mayor's Office
Type Communication
Subject 4.4. Electric Light Commission
Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
Category 4. Interviews
Department Mayor's Office
Type Communication
5. Discussion of Positions and Applications
Subject 5.1. Church Street Marketplace Commission
Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
Category 5. Discussion of Positions and Applications
Department Mayor's Office
Type Discussion
Subject 5.2. Planning Commission
Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
Category 5. Discussion of Positions and Applications
Department Mayor's Office
Type Discussion
Subject 5.3. Police Commission
Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
Category 5. Discussion of Positions and Applications
Department Mayor's Office
Type Discussion
Subject 5.4. Retirement Board
Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
Category 5. Discussion of Positions and Applications
Department Mayor's Office
Type Discussion
Subject 5.5. GMT Board
Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
Category 5. Discussion of Positions and Applications
Department Mayor's Office
Type Discussion
Subject 5.6. Board for Registration of Voters
Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
Category 5. Discussion of Positions and Applications
Department Mayor's Office
Type Discussion
Subject 5.7. Cemetery Commission
Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
Category 5. Discussion of Positions and Applications
Department Mayor's Office
Type Discussion
Subject 5.8. Parks and Recreation Commission
Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
Category 5. Discussion of Positions and Applications
Department Mayor's Office
Type Discussion
Subject 5.9. Electric Light Commission
Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
Category 5. Discussion of Positions and Applications
Department Mayor's Office
Type Discussion
6. Continuation of Interviews
7. Continuation of Discussion of Positions and Applications
8. Finalize Slate of Recommended Appointments for City Council Consideration
9. Adjournment
Subject 9.1. Motion to adjourn
Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
Category 9. Adjournment
Department Mayor's Office
Type Action
Procedural
Recommended Action Motion to adjourn
Packet
Boards and Commissions Selection Committee
Monday, June 22, 2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android:
https://zoom.us/j/94003053571
Phone one-tap:
+19292056099, 94003053571# US (New York)
Join via audio:
+1 305 224 1968 US
Webinar ID: 940 0305 3571
International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/a63r5rlQ1
1. Agenda
Subject 1.1. Motion to adopt agenda
Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
Category 1. Agenda
Department Mayor's Office
Type Action
Procedural
Recommended Action Motion to adopt agenda
2. June 17, 2026 Meeting Minutes
Subject 2.1. June 17, 2026 Meeting Minutes - Mayor's Office
Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
Category 2. June 17, 2026 Meeting Minutes
Page 1 of 124
Department Mayor's Office
Type Action
Information
Minutes
Recommended Action adopt the June 17, 2026 Meeting Minutes
3. Public Forum
Subject 3.1. Verbal Comments
Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
Category 3. Public Forum
Department Mayor's Office
Type Action
Procedural
Recommended Action open Public Forum
close Public Forum
4. Interviews
Subject 4.1. Board for Registration of Voters (selected applicants only)
Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
Category 4. Interviews
Department Mayor's Office
Type Communication
Subject 4.2. Cemetery Commission
Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
Category 4. Interviews
Department Mayor's Office
Type Communication
Subject 4.3. Parks and Recreation Commission
Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
Category 4. Interviews
Department Mayor's Office
Type Communication
Page 2 of 124
Subject 4.4. Electric Light Commission
Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
Category 4. Interviews
Department Mayor's Office
Type Communication
5. Discussion of Positions and Applications
Subject 5.1. Church Street Marketplace Commission
Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
Category 5. Discussion of Positions and Applications
Department Mayor's Office
Type Discussion
Subject 5.2. Planning Commission
Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
Category 5. Discussion of Positions and Applications
Department Mayor's Office
Type Discussion
Subject 5.3. Police Commission
Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
Category 5. Discussion of Positions and Applications
Department Mayor's Office
Type Discussion
Subject 5.4. Retirement Board
Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
Category 5. Discussion of Positions and Applications
Department Mayor's Office
Type Discussion
Subject 5.5. GMT Board
Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
Page 3 of 124
Category 5. Discussion of Positions and Applications
Department Mayor's Office
Type Discussion
Subject 5.6. Board for Registration of Voters
Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
Category 5. Discussion of Positions and Applications
Department Mayor's Office
Type Discussion
Subject 5.7. Cemetery Commission
Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
Category 5. Discussion of Positions and Applications
Department Mayor's Office
Type Discussion
Subject 5.8. Parks and Recreation Commission
Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
Category 5. Discussion of Positions and Applications
Department Mayor's Office
Type Discussion
Subject 5.9. Electric Light Commission
Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
Category 5. Discussion of Positions and Applications
Department Mayor's Office
Type Discussion
6. Continuation of Interviews
7. Continuation of Discussion of Positions and Applications
8. Finalize Slate of Recommended Appointments for City Council Consideration
9. Adjournment
Subject 9.1. Motion to adjourn
Page 4 of 124
Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
Category 9. Adjournment
Department Mayor's Office
Type Action
Procedural
Recommended Action Motion to adjourn
Page 5 of 124
2026 Boards & Commissions Selection Committee
Meeting Minutes – June 17, 2026
Meeting called to order at 5:33pm. Quorum was present.
Agenda approved unanimously.
Public forum closed at 5:45pm and again at 5:51pm.
• 6 speakers – Romeo von Hermann, Jonathan Chapple-Sokol, Miriam Stoll, Erik Monsen,
Karen Rowell, Mary Wesley
Unanimously adopted the following application review process for June 2026 appointments
(more discussion is needed between Council and Mayor to establish more standard, consistent
procedures for future appointment beyond June 2026):
• Incumbency is respected and overweighted as a consideration but does not guarantee re-
appointment. All applications, both from incumbents and from new applicants, will be
considered for all vacancies.
• All untimely applications will be considered without prejudice.
• Political party may be considered when reviewing applications, but it won’t be the sole or
primary consideration.
o Attorney Brown: BRV is the only board/commission for which political affiliation
is important – there can’t be more than 6 members representing the same political
party (note: there is no requirement that all political parties be represented, nor is
there a minimum required number of members representing any particular
political party)
• Interviews will be considered when evaluating candidacy for positions, but it won’t be
the sole or primary determining factor, given that some individuals may not be available
to attend the interviews despite their interest.
• Revised list of factors that may be considered when evaluating applications:
o Existing board/commission composition and identified skill and representation
gaps.
o Representation from underserved or underrepresented communities.
o Geographic representation by Ward.
o Incumbency status.
o Attendance/engagement history for reappointment candidates.
Page 6 of 124
o Feedback from City department heads and staff.
o Political party affiliation.
o Any disclosed conflicts of interest.
o Statutory or charter requirements.
o Residency requirements.
• Revised list of factors that may not be considered by the Committee while reviewing
applications:
o Endorsements of elected officials or candidates.
o Personal relationships with Committee members.
o Protected characteristics, except where consideration is necessary to advance
lawful representation goals.
The Committee discussed applications:
• Airport Commission – Motion passed unanimously to move William “Chip” Mason to
the slate of applicants being recommended to City Council for re-appointment.
• Board of Assessors – Motion passed unanimously to move Jonathan Chapple-Sokol to
the slate of applicants being recommended to City Council for re-appointment.
• Board of Health – Motion passed unanimously to move Celia Bird and Jennifer Tomczak
to the slate of applicants being recommended to City Council for re-appointment.
• Board of Registration of Voters – Motion carried 4-1 (Councilor Grant nay) to interview
all applicants except William Oetjen at the Monday, June 22 meeting. Motion also
stipulated that interviews would be considered alongside all other application factors so
as to not hurt the applications of those who are unavailable to make the interview time.
o Councilor Grant made an initial motion to move Michelle Lefkowitz and David
Robert Cawley to the slate. This motion was eventually withdrawn during
committee discussion.
o Councilor Barlow wasn’t prepared to vote on individuals to move to the slate and
expressed a strong preference for interviewing all applicants.
▪ Councilors Grant and Carpenter were in favor of selecting candidates to
interview.
▪ Councilor Barlow strongly encouraged interviewing all candidates to be
consistent with the way the Committee is approaching the interviews that
evening (in which all candidates for those boards/commissions were
invited to interview).
Page 7 of 124
▪ Councilor Sanchez-Parkinson and Chair Monroe Zakaras were
sympathetic to Councilor Barlow’s position but did not express a strong
preference either way.
o Councilor Carpenter made a motion to interview all candidates except William
Oetjen.
▪ Councilor Sanchez-Parkinson proposed an amendment that the interviews
would be considered but alongside all other application factors, since
some individuals may not be available to attend the one interview window
on Monday.
• Councilor Carpenter found this amendment to be friendly.
▪ Councilor Grant proposed an amendment to interview all but William
Oetjen and Jeffrey Comstock.
• Councilor Carpenter did not find this amendment to be friendly.
• Board of Tax Appeals – Motion passed unanimously to move David Maher, Dorothy
Commo, Margaret McGovern, and Sean Hurley to the slate of applicants being
recommended to City Council for re-appointment.
• Cemetery Commission – Motion carried 4-1 (Councilor Grant nay) to interview all
applicants at the Monday, June 22 meeting.
o Councilor Barlow started to make a motion to move the incumbent applicants to
the slate, but Chair Monroe Zakaras requested discussion first.
o Chair Monroe Zakaras pointed out that the two new applicants were very
interesting and highlighted that Miles McCallum would fill some representation
gaps (younger age, person of color) and would bring professional and academic
experience related to cemeteries.
o Councilor Sanchez-Parkinson also expressed interest in and excitement by the
new applicants and appreciated them applying.
o Councilor Grant was in favor of moving Miles McCallum and Martha Dallas to
the slate, though Councilor Carpenter observed the Committee was not in
agreement on this and requested interviews.
When the Committee moved to the interview portion of the meeting, Chair Monroe Zakaras
returned to Councilor Barlow’s earlier comment that all interviewees should be asked the same
basic questions for fairness and consistency. Chair Monroe Zakaras noted that the Committee
had not yet had time to establish what those questions would be. Councilor Grant emphasized
that some flexibility with questioning is needed to account for different types of
positions/applications, which Councilor Barlow agreed with. Councilor Sanchez-Parkinson
proposed that all applicants be asked 2 standard questions about their interest in (re)applying and
Page 8 of 124
the skills and experience they bring to the position, with flexibility for Committee members to
ask follow-up questions if needed. The Committee unanimously agreed to this.
The Committee conducted interviews:
• Church Street Marketplace Commission (note all interviewees were applying for an at-
large Burlington resident position): Rebecca “Becky” Holt, Anne Paradiso, Romeo von
Hermann, Erik Monsen, Marykate Moore
o The Committee expressed some confusion around the Marketplace Charter
requirements for composition of this Commission. Councilor Carpenter noted that
there are essentially two types of positions – business owners and at-large
residents – and we needed to know which of these the vacancies applied to, and
which the applicants were being considered for. Councilor Grant read the Charter
language on Commission composition, which noted that 2 members needed to be
CSM business owners, and 2 members needed to be Downtown business owners.
Chair Monroe Zakaras had a question about whether the business members could
be considered both CSM and Downtown or if it had to be one or the other. She
also shared an email exchange she had with Marketplace Director Sam McGinnis
about the applications, in which McGinnis indicated that “[w]e can't fill all of the
four open spots with the candidates we have because we are missing a CSM or
Downtown business owner.” The Committee ultimately agreed to proceed with
interviews but to ask each applicant what type of position they are applying to,
and confirming the composition requirements before the next discussion about
these applications.
▪ Note that during her interview, Becky Holt helped clear up some of the
questions about Commission composition, including that the business
owner members had to be either CSM or Downtown, but not both.
• Planning Commission: Andy Montroll, Erin Malone, Dylan Shelby, William “Gil”
Livingston, Henry Severance
o Chair Monroe Zakaras noted that Daniel Goltzman emailed Lori Olberg that he
was traveling out of country and couldn’t be there for an interview, but re-
affirmed his interest in serving on this Commission.
o Shelby applied to 2 other boards/commissions and indicated that Planning was his
preference though would gladly serve on any.
o Livingston applied to 1 other board/commission and indicated that Planning was
his preference though would gladly serve on any.
• Police Commission: Erin Jacobsen, Michaela Finneran, Mary Cox, Romeo von Hermann,
William “Gil” Livingston
Page 9 of 124
o Councilor Grant requested that interviewees to the Police Commission speak to
importance of community engagement and de-politicizing the work of the
Commission.
• Retirement Board: David Mount, Deirdre Keenan, Alan Matson
o Chair Monroe Zakaras noted that Eric Avildsen emailed Lori Olberg that he was
traveling out of country and couldn’t be there for an interview, but re-affirmed his
interest in serving on this Board.
After the interviews concluded, the Committee moved to discussion of the next meeting
agenda, with Chair Monroe Zakaras noting that the Committee needed to decide which
interviews to conduct then. Councilor Grant suggested that the Committee try to make a few
more quick decisions to narrow down the pool of applications to be considered at the next
meeting, which the Committee agreed to, with Councilor Barlow noting he had to stop by
9:00pm.
The following applicat-=ion decisions were made:
• Conservation Board – Motion passed unanimously to move Lee Toomey to the slate of
applicants being recommended to City Council for re-appointment.
• CSWD Commission – Motion passed unanimously to move Joseph “Lee” Perry to the
slate of applicants being recommended to City Council for re-appointment.
• Design Advisory Board – Motion passed unanimously to move Richard Martin and Jay
White to the slate of applicants being recommended to City Council for re-appointment.
• Development Review Board – Motion passed unanimously to move Marina Campbell,
Chase Tyler, and Sean McKenzie to the slate of applicants being recommended to City
Council for re-appointment.
o Before the next meeting, the Committee needs to determine whether these
applicants are applying for the full or alternate position.
• Fire Commission – Motion passed unanimously to move Ashley Bond and Monica
Chapman to the slate of applicants being recommended to City Council for re-
appointment.
• Fence Viewer – Motion passed unanimously to move Charlie Giannoni, Shay Totten, and
Vikas Mangipudi to the slate of applicants being recommended to City Council for re-
appointment.
• Housing Board of Review – Motion passed unanimously to move Dylan Shelby to the
slate of applicants being recommended to City Council for re-appointment.
Page 10 of 124
• Public Works Commission – Motion passed unanimously to move Julie Hays and Marcie
Gallagher to the slate of applicants being recommended to City Council for re-
appointment.
• Parks and Recreation Commission – Motion passed unanimously to invite all applicants
to interview at the June 22 Committee meeting.
• Electric Light Commission – Motion passed unanimously to invite all applicants to
interview at the June 22 Committee meeting.
• GMT Board – Chair Monroe Zakaras noted that she got an untimely application from
Lori Olberg from incumbent Andrea Suozzo, which she will share with the Committee
for discussion at the June 22 meeting.
• Vehicle for Hire Licensing Board – Councilor Sanchez-Parkinson expressed interest in
helping to advertise for this position, since we still have a vacancy with no applicant.
Chair Monroe Zakaras recommended that she reach out to Lori Olberg for a description.
Some discussion ensued between the Committee and Romeo von Hermann about this
Board and how hard it is to fill the vacancies.
The meeting adjourned at 9:16pm.
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