Council appoints new member to zoning board; some members object to process

Council voted to appoint Joseph Matt Evvich to a five-year term on the zoning hearing board (item 7C), replacing Michael De Antona. The measure passed after committee recommendation. Council also reappointed Robert Gatens (one-year term) and Shawn Walsh (two-year term) to the zoning board (7D, 7E), each by roll call.

Several council members objected to how some appointments were brought to the floor without prior discussion with all members. One councilor said he had proactively provided preferences to the council president; another said he had not been consulted and would have preferred a different vetting process. Council president and others said resumes and letters of interest would be circulated going forward and pledged that vacant alternate seats would receive fuller review.

The new appointments were adopted; council asked staff to circulate resumes and letters of interest for future appointments to improve transparency.