Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee
Virtual
Agenda — 13 items
- 1 (Posted online: 3/19/26 at 7:45 AM) Original (Posted online: 3/24/26 at 7:45 AM) Revised
- 1 This meeting was held via Zoom and was called to order by Chair Mbah at 6:32 p.m. and adjourned at 7:31 p.m. on a Roll Call Vote: 5 in favor (Councilors McLaughlin, Hardt, Link, Ewen-Campen, Mbah), 0 opposed. Councilor Link joined the meeting at 6:47 p.m. The Committee entered Executive Session at 6:55 p.m. and returned at 7:02 p.m. with five Councilors present (Councilors McLaughlin, Hardt, Link, Ewen-Campen, Mbah). Others present: Shumeane Benford – Police Chief; Amanda Nagim-Williams – Director of Intergovernmental Affairs; Kimberly Wells – City Clerk; Michael Potere – Assistant City Clerk - Vital Records and Licensing.
- 2 Pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2025, this meeting of a City Council Committee will be conducted via remote participation. We will post an audio recording, audio-video recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of these proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting on the City of Somerville website and local cable access government channels. Copy & paste the following link into your internet browser to view this meeting live: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6QD_cYN6SwSGHJ924grSHQ Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should contact the ADA Coordinator in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or ADA@somervillema.gov.
- 3 In keeping with the decisions of the Civil Service Commission, this committee is required to consider candidates for civil service positions solely on the basis of their relative ability, knowledge, and skills. The commission’s decisions and basic merit principles outlined in the Personnel Administrations rules prohibit the arbitrary and capricious rejection of a candidate, including for political reasons, and demand a standard of “neutrally applied public policy” as guidance for our review. Committee members are encouraged to adhere to this standard while considering all candidates, regardless of civil service status.
- 4 Roll Call
- 1. Approval of the Minutes of the Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee Meeting of February 2, 2026.
- 2. Requesting confirmation of the promotion of Ashley Catatao to the position of Police Sergeant.
- 3. Requesting confirmation of the promotion of Courtney Reece to the position of Police Sergeant.
- 4. Requesting confirmation of the appointment of James Plotkin as Municipal Hearing Officer.
- 5. That this City Council appoints Jessica Smith to the Public Financing of Campaigns Committee.
- 6. That this City Council appoints James Leo Bedard to the Ranked Choice Voting Committee.
- 7. That this City Council appoints Crystal Huff to the Ranked Choice Voting Committee.
- 13 Note: The Committee may meet in Executive Session to review protected personnel information or to discuss matters related to individual candidates pursuant to MGL c30A s21(a)(1).