Trenton council revives youth commission, appoints 17 members

The Trenton City Council voted Dec. 22 to reconstitute the city’s Youth Commission and its advisory board, naming 17 young residents and five adults to two-year terms that expire Jan. 1, 2027.

Mayor Rezappa read the list of appointees and asked the council to approve the slate. "Thank you all. And so congratulations to you all," the mayor said after the vote.

The appointments include Jack Brownlee, Aaron Clark, Jacob Clark, Brooke Cunningham, Ryan Everly, Evan Garrett, Ethan Gilbert, Delaney Hale, Lily Hartnett, Caitlin Hornbeck, Evelyn Rennie, Anthony Sawicki, Cole Scrimenti and John Skinner as youth commissioners; Mary DeLong, Ron Dieruff, Melanie Elliott, Nick Scott and Andrea Thorne were named to the advisory board. The mayor said Clerk Debit will arrange swearing-in and onboarding logistics.

Council members moved and supported the appointments, and the clerk called a roll; the motion carried with one abstention. Council members welcomed the return of the commission, noting the program previously existed in the city charter and had lapsed roughly 15 years ago.

The council did not establish specific projects for the commission at the meeting; the appointments restore the body so youth can begin meeting and developing proposals for future council consideration. The council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Jan. 5, 2026, at 7 p.m.