Okay.

All right.

We are back.

So members that have left the floor may want to return.

Representative Camparelli, you have the floor.

All right.

I'm gonna be I'm gonna be brief.

Um I think that the risk is worth the reward.

Uh I started with this board on behalf of animal rights.

I came to speak to the board to protect deer in in my neighborhood.

Um I will fall on this sword every day.

I think it's worth the risk.

I think the mayor is not going to veto it because I do think she's a caring person, and I think she cares about animals.

Uh the law is a living, breathing document.

It's not stagnant.

It changes all the time because people go up against the law and they challenge it.

And animals are worth us challenging the law.

Um we have heard from the public.

I think over 170 emails have been received, and the public is willing to go to bat for this.

These are taxpayers in that live in Stanford, they're willing to put their money where their mouth is.

Uh and and I think that the the risk of this getting challenged in court is so low because of the political uh fallout from this that it's not even worth speaking of.

I will be voting wholeheartedly in favor of this, and I hope all of you will too.

Thank you.

Uh Representative Williams.

Thank you, Chair.

So um I feel like there's a parallel between what we may be seeing with out-of-state breeders, illegal breeders or puppy mills doing supposedly in Connecticut.

And what we're seeing with out-of-state can redemptions, bottle and can redemptions coming to Connecticut.

Um if you stand in line at Shopi to bring your bag, you're seeing people from New York bringing in their bottles and cans because they can get 10 cents here.

They could do it legally here instead of five cents in New York or in other states.

Um given that the zoning regulations still presents a loophole that would allow uh puppy mills to still be raised and permitted in certain regions of the city.

Given the willingness of people to travel for profit, I feel like we could still see puppy mills set up here, the same way we do with people bringing bottles and cans across the border.

And um I appreciate Ashley's work on this, Karen's work on this, or representative Campo and Camp Repli.

And I will be supporting this as well.

Thank you.

Uh thank you.

Representative Goldberg.

Uh I'll pass to the moment.

Thank you.

Representative Weinberg.

So I I understand how the vote's going, and I and I'm not surprised and not even entirely disappointed.

Uh I do want to point out that I I think that I think that some of the speakers have presented a false choice, um, which is to either pass this ordinance or just continue with the current situation.

I don't believe that's the choice.

Um there are things that we can be doing that will bear results.

I know they will bear results because we have done them in the past and they have borne results.

We picketed the store on Long Ridge Road, and they are closed.

They are out of business because nobody wants to take their kids across a picket line to go, you know, to go look at a possible pet.

We can pick it uh any remaining store in Stanford.

Um I'll be the first to join that picket line.

My picketing days go back to the great boycotts of the late 60s, which perhaps some of you remember.

Um we can close down the any stores that any stores, I believe there's only one remaining in Stanford, but I could be mistaken.

We can close that store down by picketing it, by making it unattractive for people to patronize it.

We've already made it so unattractive for companies for for companies to open news stores by limiting them to unattractive parts of the city.

Um industrial parts of the city, and as a result, none of them have opened or contemplated opening.

That's the choice that we have.

It's hard work, it's actually frankly, maybe takes more effort and maybe a little bit more time than passing an ordinance that I don't believe will actually uh will actually create action.

But we can do those things and get rid of these abominable stores.

And I will be the first one to be there when when we when we do that.

But that to me is the right way to proceed, and I yield.

Thank you, Representative Kaczynski.

Thank you.

Um, it seems to me that like we're we're deliberating an abstraction versus a reality.

The abstraction is hypothetical and conjecture.

What will courts do?

What will they not do?

Will we prevail?

Will we not prevail?

Well, someone bring the case against us or not.

That's an abstraction.

The reality is that the animals are suffering.

We're suffering yesterday, they're suffering today, they'll suffer tomorrow.

We have an opportunity to deal with that reality and the future consequences of the decision.

But we but in dealing with the as a reality as opposed to an abstraction, we can end the suffering sooner rather than later.

So I'm going to vote yes uh on this, and and I would encourage all of my colleagues to vote yes, and the simple premise that to eliminate the suffering sooner rather than later for these poor animals uh is in everyone's best interest.

Certainly in the animals' best interest.

So I yield my time and thank you.

Thank you, Representative uh Kaczynski, Representative Goldberg.

Thank you.

I appreciate being recognized.

You know, sometimes the hardest thing to do is to go against the tide.

Um so for four years in this board, I've always listened to our corporate counsel and I've listened to them deeply.

They have given us good counsel, and I've never turned my back on it.

I believe that Representative Weinberg has a clear-eyed logical and reasonable analysis of the situation, which I concur with wholeheartedly.

As to whether or not this is an abstraction or a reality, the reality is if we pass this, we're going to find ourselves in court, and we're not going to really solve the problem.

What Representative Weinberg has laid out to us is a course to solve the problem today while taking actions to solve it for tomorrow.

For so many years here, I've listened to us go round and round about what's the right thing to do, what's the moral thing to do.

And here we go again.

For me, the right thing to do is to solve the problem.

And the way you're going to solve this problem in Stanford today is through making it difficult to buy these animals, making it economically unachievable for the retailers to survive.

The way you fix it for the future is to get the legislature involved and get us the power to regulate this at the local level.

That's harder than just a feel-good vote tonight.

I know this is going to pass.

I have no idea what the mayor's going to do, but I know what the legal department's going to do.

I know what they've bound themselves to do by giving us an opinion and telling us where the where the boundaries are.

So reluctantly, you've put me in a box where I have to vote no.

That's just the reality, and you're not solving the problem.

So I yield.

Thank you.

Representative Hollock.

Thank you.

Um in terms of transparency, I want to give everybody the opportunity to understand where I have been through this.

I'll start off by saying that I love animals more.

And I have rescue animals and I volunteered in pet stores and wildlife sanctuaries in San Diego.

And I started off with absolutely.

And then when I heard it was against the law, I was challenged, and I reached out.

I'm sure some of you are here to the emails that came in.

And I was challenged with it, but it wasn't till tonight that I heard from Representative Lai.

And I'll thank you, Representative Lai, for sharing about the gray area and what's being done.

And I can also say that speaking with my colleagues that everybody here shares the same sentiment.

I think that we could all come together and we can vote in favor of this ordinance and do what's right and stand up and test the waters and be an example for other municipalities.

On top of that, we can also do what Representative Weinberg is saying and what he has done.

I think we don't stop with this ordinance.

We continue it on the 30-second board.

We pick it, we donate, we all come together on this.

So I will be supporting this ordinance.

Thank you all for all of your hard work.

Your microphone, please.

Hi.

Can we move the question?

I would like to move the question.

Can we move the question?

I would like to move the question.

Can we move the question?

Second.

I'm sorry.

Did somebody?

I know.

We only have one more speaker.

And it's thank you.

Um representative Summerville, go ahead.

Thank you, man.

Thank you.

How long is how long?

It's time to make this decision.

I totally agree with all this wonderful stuff.

I wish we had it every meeting night.

I want to tell you this is a no-brainer.

It's called feelings.

It's called right.

Let's try.

If it doesn't work, there's a there's a method to say we tried it, it didn't work.

But give it please an opportunity.

I asked you to please vote yes for this particular.

Okay, seeing no hands, I think we're ready to take the vote.

Roll.

This is a vote on LR 31.072.

Ordinance for final adoption, regulating the sale of dogs and cats and pet stores.

Adams.

Yes.

Burns.

Yes.

Blank.

Oh, he left.

I'm sorry.

Boger.

Yes.

Campbell.

Yes.

Camporelli.

Yes.

Amias.

Curtis.

Yes.

Dayla Cruz.

Yes.

Fidelity.

Yes.

Figueroa.

Yes.

Gilbride.

Yes.

Goldberg.

Abstain.

Graham.

Oh sorry.

She lived.

Uh Kaczynski.

Yes.

Lai.

Yes.

Matheny.

Yes.

Mays.

Yes.

Moore.

Morrison.

Yes.

Patterson.

Yes.

Havia.

Yes.

Pierre Louis.

Yes.

Pollock.

Yes.

Rukata.

Yes.

Saftach.

Sanford.

Yes.

Shaw.

Yes.

Sherwood.

Yes.

Stella.

Strain.

Somerville.

I probably stand and says, yes.

Tomas.

Yes.

Vandervoort.

Yes.

Walston.

Yes.

Watkins.

Yes.

What Weinberg.

No.

Williams.

Yes.

Okay, returning back to Adams.

Yes.

Okay.

And I believe that uh Representative Saptus.

Yes, please.

Yes.

Your yes.

Okay.

Uh Barbara, can you tell me what the is please excuse me?

Yeah.

We have 35 yeses.

We have one no, and we have one abstain.

The item passes.

That passes, all right.

Thank you.

Representative Burns going to the top of the legislative and rules agenda.

Item one.

Uh yes, madam chair, just to um just to confirm, I'm now going through the the, I believe there's a motion to take things out of order.

I'm now going through the rest of it in order.

Thank you.

Okay.

Um our local doctor do it a little do a little if she would come to my home and assist me in uh communicating with Daisy.

All right.

Uh Madam Chair.

Um item one, LR 31.108 ordinance for public hearing and final adoption regarding a veterans tax exemption.

Uh Madam Chair, this was approved by the committee by unanimous unanimous voice vote.

And uh item number two, LR 31.106 ordinance for public hearing and final adoption, amending chapter 227 of the Stanford Code of Ordinances to establish a comprehensive tree preservation and urban forestry program.

Uh this was uh approved by committee by unanimous voice vote.

Therefore, um these are on the consent agenda, and I so move.

Representative Nithini.

I'd like to take um item number two off consent, please.

Thank you.

So item one is on consent.

Very good.

So uh item one, I so move.

Second.

There's a motion and a second.

All those in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Are there any opposed?

Any abstentions that uh representative representative Sanford abstains on item one.

Uh thank you.

Um that passes unanimously.

Go ahead, Representative Burns.

Thank you, madam chair.

The second second item on the agenda.

I mentioned just a moment ago.

Item number two, L 31.106, ordinance for public hearing and final adoption, amending chapter 227 of the Stanford Code of Ordinances to establish a comprehensive tree preservation and urban forestry program.

Again, um we had this was a second public hearing, and it was approved by committee via unanimous voice vote.

And I so move.

Second.

Okay, there's a motion and a second.

I yield the chairmanship to uh Representative Fidel.

Okay.

Hands.

Representative Stell.

Oh no, you're just waving at me.

Thank you.

Nice to see you too.

Does anybody have any comments?

Any discussion on the item?

Representative Goldberg.

So I just wanted to share with you that um I have some profound concerns about whether or not we're treating trees uh as personal or public property.

You know, I did some research on that.

It's pretty clear the law says we can do this.

I had originally thought it it it was murkier than it is.

So then I started uh running for re-election, and I started knocking on doors, and I talked to a lot of my neighbors.

Um really nobody brought this up to me.

So being a good representative, I provoked some conversations on this and other issues.

And I really asked my constituents, what what are your concerns?

What do you think of this ordinance?

And I will tell you that across the board, most people didn't think it was a bad idea, but they thought it was too expensive an idea.

A lot of people expressed that they felt like it was telling your neighbors what to do with their yard, which they were uncomfortable with.

If you were to ask me about this ordinance overall, I'd say most of it's good until you get to the residential part.

And then it emotionally feels different to me.

I know there's lots of good arguments for why we should regulate the cutting of healthy trees, legacy trees.

And I certainly don't cut healthy legacy trees in my yard.

But do I really have the right to tell my neighbor not to do it?

I mean, the lawyers tell me I do, but to use the argument that was used on me earlier tonight, morally it doesn't feel right.

So I'm left with what am I gonna do on this one?

And I think the answer is the solution is we need to plant more trees and regulate our neighbors less.

And we're seeing a lot of that these days.

Thank you, Representative Watkins, followed by Representative Sherwood.

Thank you.

Um I just want to take a um a step back and um reflect on what um Representative Gobert just said.

Uh I with respect to residential.

Um when I uh first looked at this, my great worry was that uh one neighbor would use this to tell another neighbor what they could or couldn't do.

And it's very clear at um uh some stage, and I didn't follow all the stages, but what was originally called a permit was purposely changed to be a certificate.

It is not a question of permitting somebody to do something, there is an economic consequence of what they do.

That's true, but they can do it, and so at that point, it was no longer for me a question of uh one neighbor uh using this as a cudgel to prevent another neighbor from doing something, which I could imagine happening, and it became just an economic question.

And I finally reconciled it in my own mind that um um uh for the benefits um that uh are notable, uh, and for all the work that has gone into this, which I think is quite extraordinary.

Uh, and for the generalized uh good for society, if you will, um I'm uh happy to vote to vote yes for this, and it does not control what you can do.

Uh it merely says there's an economic consequence.

Thank you very much.

Thank you, Representative Sherwood.

Thank you, um, Chair Fidelity.

Um I wanna well, I want to say I've everybody knows as I've been saying this for a month now.

Um I've been working on this ordinance for five years, and I'm I'm really, really proud of it.

A lot of work has gone into this.

Um I want to thank the members of the public who are here this evening holding up signs for trees because they can't speak for themselves.

Um I want to also I want to I want to just say a few things.

When I set out to write this ordinance, the reason it took five years to get it to this board was because I didn't want to simply copy what other municipalities did because I don't think they did enough.

Okay.

And right now in Stanford, we are the fastest growing city in the state of Connecticut.

We are cutting down trees at a faster rate than anywhere else in Connecticut.

Um, and we, in terms of cities, are have the most antiquated um ineffective tree regulations in the state of Connecticut, and that's something that we should not be proud of.

But it wasn't good enough for me to just copy what other municipalities had done because I think Stanford's special, and I think our trees are special.

And I I didn't want to just create an ordinance that planted more trees, because you can plant a tree today, but it's not gonna you're not gonna be able to park a car and enjoy its shade under it for maybe 25 or 30 years.

You're not gonna be able to have the benefits of it drawing thousands of gallons of water from your basement for maybe another 50 to 100 years.

So the idea that this can all be fixed if we just plant some one and a half inch caliber saplings all over the city and just cut down our ancient trees that have been here for 200 or 300 years in some cases.

That is not a solution.

That's an excuse in my book.

And I want to thank Representative Watkins for being way more eloquent than I have ever been in explaining that nobody based on this ordinance, nobody in the city will be stopped.

No resident will be stopped from cutting trees.

That is just inaccurate.

That ordinance is 31 pages full of a lot of really, really wonderful things.

One of which I'm most proud of is that it will be the first ordinance in the state of Connecticut where residents would be able to dip into a public fund to use money on their private property for a good of the people and the environment, which would be to maintain legacy mature trees on their property.

I think that is really incredible.

So when people talk about this is an undue burden to residents, I understand why people might be hesitant.

But the reality is that this is a very special ordinance that gives back to the residents, unlike any other ordinance that we have, in my opinion, and in the state.

There is nothing.

So this is just to protect healthy mature trees on residential property.

And I just want to leave it at that.

I really, really hope that this board has the courage to support this ordinance.

It is something that we all should be proud of in passing.

And before I relinquish the floor, I just want to personally thank Representative Camparelli, Representative Pollock, Representative Vandervoor, and especially Representative Y for the work that they did on this ordinance.

I want to thank Director Quinones and Luke Buttenweiser from the transportation department.

Ron Markey, our current tree warden.

Melanie Hollis has been an absolute fierce warrior for five years on this.

And I want to thank Mill River Park.

So with that, I really hope that my fellow representatives vote yes in favor of the trees this evening.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Representative Vanderhart.

Hello, my pals on the 31st board.

I'm glad that I get to say some words into this microphone so I can thank you all for the last 18 months.

I've learned a lot.

It's been great.

I just want to say something about this ordinance that hasn't come up yet.

There's a little part of this ordinance, and I probably should have gotten my notes out so I could send you directly to it.

That um there'll be an help me, President Sherwood, um, like a city tree day, is that what it's called?

Legacy tree.

Anyway, I think sometimes we sleep on uh elements of of ordinances uh that are like this, like it's this is just fluff or something.

I think this is actually a really important part of this ordinance because you know, it doesn't prescribe what the city is supposed to do, but it has some ideas, and I every I keep having ideas about what we could do on this day.

But I love that you can nominate a tree for tree of the year.

I think I I already have a tree in mind that I'd like to nominate, um, but I'll I'll campaign for that later.

Um, but I know kids will love this.

And and well, one of the things that troubles me, there are a lot of them right now, as I'm I'm sure you could agree, is that you know, kids don't get to spend enough time outside, they are losing language for nature, which is really troubling.

They are losing language for nature, which is really troubling.

And so I love the idea.

Things like that really do build solidarity and are important, and I I think it was so thoughtful to have that in this ordinance.

Um I hope you're all enjoying the fall color here in the city that we love.

I bet you know where I'm going with that.

We get that from the trees.

I'm not gonna go on and on about all the great things about trees.

I promised I wasn't gonna do that committee, and then I did read like a poem, and I'm not gonna do that either.

Um every single one of us here, I'm gonna guess memories of the transition from summer to fall, and it's like it's really poignant when that happens, and we kind of take it for granted.

Um of our ancestors had that too, and we hope that that all of our children and grandchildren have that.

Um I've never met anybody who said that they don't care for trees.

In fact, everybody always says that they love trees, but love is more than a feeling, it's an action, and sometimes it requires sacrifice.

And so I'm asking you all, I think it's such a beautiful way for this board to act.

We've had some tumultuous times, and I haven't even been here for very much of it.

But I would love for us to pass this ordinance.

This is nature and trees are what connects us.

It's primal.

This is a way that we can care for each other at a time when we really need that.

This is a shift in my mind to mutual flourishing, which we all desperately need.

Um obviously I'm gonna be voting in favor of this, and I hope you will too.

Thanks.

Thank you.

Um, Representative Campbell.

Jessica, you're not reading a poem because I am that was my task.

So Ryle Elementary School is where my education began.

And the first poem I ever heard was by Joyce Kilmer.

He died in 1918.

Two things in the poem that changed my entire life.

The fact that I began to write poems, and he talked about a poem in this of in this in this poem.

And the tree is the giver of what I write on today, even as a woman of 70 years old.

I write on paper still.

A poem lovely as a tree, a tree whose hungry mouth is pressed against the earth, sweet flowing breast, a tree that looks at God all day and lifts her leafy arms to pray, a tree that may in summer wear a nest of robins in her hair upon whom's whose breast snow was laying, who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me, but only God can make a tree, and only we can take care of our legacy trees.

I'm gonna be voting for the ordinance, and I yield the floor.

Thank you, Representative Camporelli.

Thank you, Chair.

I'm gonna try not to cry, but I'm the representative that has the box of tissues on my desk at all times because I cry.

Um, I want to thank President Sherwood for delivering this incredible piece of legislation with a bow on it for us to all have picked at it and attacked it and and change it and twist it while she did all the the work on it.

Um to see to see an ordinance from its beginning thoughts and an idea to its end is an incredible task.

It requires uh a human being's entire soul and all of its attention, blood, sweat, and tears.

Um, and she has delivered this to us, and I would say it's as near perfect as an ordinance this complicated could be.

Uh I think Representative Vandeboort, everything you said is just incredible, and it speaks to the creativity that it takes in order to create an ordinance.

And I think that's something that a lot of people forget about when they're just judging someone else's ordinance.

Uh Nina, you have brought such creativity to this position and this job, and the type of sensibility and wherewithal and intelligence that a lot of people just don't have.

I don't have it.

Um so I'm very thankful and honored to be able to just vote for this tonight.

It's an honor and a privilege, and I thank you for all the work that you did so that I could just sit here and say yes.

Yes to trees, yes to the environment, uh, yes to the resolution that I was not here to pass, and I wish that I was here with all of you guys on this board to pass the resolution on climate change.

That was your promise to do this type of work.

And and Nina did that.

President Sherwood did that.

Um this is not an overreach.

We are regulating the environment all the time.

We regulate people's wetlands, uh, and I don't think this is anything more than that.

Um, and I and I also want to thank Representative uh David Watkins for for what you reminded us, and that's not we're not controlling anybody from chopping down a tree.

Um I hope that everyone votes in favor of this beautiful, beautiful ordinance, and I yield.

Thank you, Representative Weinberg.

Thank you.

Um before I speak in favor of the ordinance, um I uh will the chair indulge me in a brief non-germane comment.

Brief.

Um I'm counting the second.

And it it concerns it concerns a word that's been used a lot at tonight's meeting.

And it's and it's the word courage.

Um look, can we just go to the point of the case?

I just okay.

Um several several of my colleagues have labeled certain votes courageous, which is an implication of the vote a different way, is lacks courage.

And I think um it would behoove us all to uh to stop labeling certain votes correctly.

Get to the point of your now.

I w I want to I want to uh uh I I have uh enormous respect for for Representative Goldberg.

Um, but I want to uh I want to speak um uh uh to the com about the comments that that the concerns that he expressed um about about the um the imposition on private property.

Uh my wife and I, as some of you may know, my wife and I live in the woods.

We have I mean dozens of trees on our property is like a is a gross is a gross understatement, and many of them um under this ordinance would be considered would be defined as legacy trees, and we love them.

Um those trees are part of our private our private property.

We own those trees.

But those trees are also a public good.

And I don't have to recite all the different ways that those trees are a public good.

We all we all know them, they produce oxygen, they ingest carbon dioxide, they as was pointed out earlier, they helped prevent flooding, uh they provide shade that um lowers the temperature in the in the summer and actually raises the temperature in the winter.

In so many ways, those trees that we own that are part of our private property are also our publics.

Without this ordinance, those trees remain private property exclusively.

What this ordinance accomplishes and what this ordinance accomplishes is it shifts the balance so that there is a recognition that those trees also are a public good.

And that is why, and that recognition is why I will vote for this ordinance.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I was one of the original haters of this uh ordinance.

Um specifically for the residential piece.

Um because I live in a district that would be financially impacted the most, one of them.

Um but I give uh President Curtis uh oh, sorry, President Sherwood a lot of credit.

Um we had a lot of debate about it.

She listened to people and she's made it better for residents.

I won't say I love it, um, but she has made it so I kind of like it.

Uh and I think that's as much as you can get from me.

But um fundamentally I agree with Representative Goldberg.

Um I bought my trees.

I should be able to do what I want with my trees.

Um, but I get I understand that there's other parts of the city that aren't as um uh fortunate as I am to live where I live with a lot of trees.

I have I want to say sometimes too many trees.

Um so I'm gonna vote for this today.

It's my gift to you at the end of our term, and I yield.

You're next, Representative Somerville.

Please use your mic.

I'm just like I don't care if they don't hear it.

I want everybody in here to hear.

I'm just like a tree planted by the water.

I shall not be moved.

And where I come from by the way of Alabama and Mississippi, that was a keeper from me.

I stand here you before you tonight just say I understand the tree.

I talk to the tree.

It's some of the trees that were living then, they're still living.

I'm one of them.

So in remembrance, these little kind of things that environment, all of that, it's so important to the humanistic spirit.

So I say to all of you, I'm just like a tree planted by the waters.

I shall not be moved.

I'll lay in front of the tree before I let it happen.

If somebody come with me, okay.

Thank you.

Representative Morrison.

Thank you, Chair Fidel.

What would I do?

I won't fall down, throw shade, or root around for deeper meaning, or bow or bark some ring around the issue.

I'll branch out and leaf you with this question without a shadow of a doubt.

I ask, where do poems come from?

Poetries.

I'll be in support.

Okay.

I um representative more.

There's no hands.

There's no hands, are there?

Go ahead, Representative Goldberg.

Thank you.

So I think one of the first comments I made four years ago when I was on the board was that we spend too much time uh letting perfection be the enemy of good.

And sometimes good is good enough.

This is one of those times where this is not a bad ordinance.

It's far from perfection in my mind, but it's not bad.

I won't vote against it, but I will abstain and try and tweak it in the next term to be a little bit friendlier to my constituents and my concerns.

So I'm not gonna stand in the way of good.

And good is good enough.

I yield.

Okay.

Um Representative Graham, did you have your hand up?

Representative Graham, did you have your hand up?

Okay.

I see no other hands.

Can we do this by voice vote?

Is there anyone who's going to object to this?

Okay.

All those in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Opposed abstentions that passes unanimously.

One abstention with one abstention.

Passes unanimously with one abstention.

Thank you.

Who abstained?

Was there a second abstention?

Are there any abstentions?

Clark, Clark Cotra is asking who, since we don't have visuals, who abstained?

Representative Goldberg.

Thank you.

Madam Chair, shall I continue?

Uh yes, please, Chair Burns.

The last two items on the legislative and rules committee this past month.

Uh the third item was LR 31.100 ordinance for public hearing and final adoption requiring a citywide transition to electric landscaping equipment in the city of Stamford.

There was an amendment made to go back to the original version that would have permitted gas-powered leaf blowers in the months of October, November, and December, uh, and would implement it in three years.

Three years.

Uh the motion uh passed.

Uh let me see now.

I four three.

Yes, thank you.

Uh, and then the main motion um also passed 4-3, Madam Chair, and I so move.

Okay, there's a motion in a second.

Is there any discussion?

Representative uh Mays, go ahead.

Thank you.

President Sherwood.

Um, I would like to comment uh on this uh on this what's in front of us.

Unfortunately, I was unable to attend last month's meeting, but had I been there, I would have spoken out against the amendment that was introduced, um, which watered down the original proposal.

I am really glad that the L and R committee um has restored this original proposal and it's back on the table tonight.

The original proposed ordinance that was approved by the L and R committee, um, and what's on the floor tonight is well thought out and sets a strong plan forward for dealing with the scourge of gasoline leaf blowers.

It provides meaningful legislation to address a serious issue that affects the use of gasoline leaf blowers on public health and safety, the environment, and the quality of life for Stanford residents.

We have received overwhelming public opinion on the need to enact tough restrictions on gasoline leaf blowers and to reject amendments that legislation.

We cannot ignore this overwhelming public opinion.

I've heard only calls for either outright bans on gasoline leaf blowers or for stricter restrictions.

Noise complaints and quality of life issues are probably the most frequent complaints that I try to address with my constituents in North Stanford and other areas with large properties and lots of trees, these machines disturbed the peace from morning to the evening.

The larger the property, the longer the time these machines are running.

And in most cases, several gasoline leaf blowers are used on a single property at the same time, exacerbating the problem.

I once saw a landscape maintenance company with seven gasoline-powered leaf blowers used on a single property.

And while I heard it said that the movement to electric equipment would create hardship for landscaping companies, our priority should be in protecting our constituents, not special interests, not the owners of landscaping companies.

We were elected to represent the residents of the city.

We cannot ignore what people want.

We cannot be tone-deaf.

This is not just a noise issue.

Even if you are a climate change denier, you cannot ignore the evidence that two cycle engines create significant harmful amounts of pollutants.

Again, this affects the quality of our air, the quality of our life for residents, and creates a risk of serious health effects.

But here is what's most important to me, and has been ignored by some of our representatives here tonight.

In my area, most of these workers are immigrants just trying to make a living on the low wages they're paid.

They rarely use hearing protection, and they never wear respirator masks to filter, filter out pollutants.

They strap on these machines onto their back while they are in direct harm's way of exposure to hazardous exhaust and levels of noise that exceed 100 decibels.

For your reference, OSHA, the occupational safety and health administration requires that the use requires the use of hearing protection.

Workers are exposed to 85 decibels for eight hours.

And while these machines measure 100 decibels or more, those measurements are taken 50 feet from the source.

It's much louder at the operator's ear when these things are strapped to their back hour after hour.

That level of noise exposure will result in hearing damage.

Plus, there are toxic effects of breathing of the polluted exhaust, in which some of these pollutions, pollutants, are carcinogenic and exacerbate asthma.

These poor workers either may not recognize the hazards or are afraid to complain about them in fear of losing their jobs.

That is the government's job.

Strong restrictions on gasoline leaf blowers is not government overreach.

It's responsible, progressive legislation.

I would like to leave this board feeling that we actually did something significant in protecting constituents, the landscaping landscape maintenance workers, and the environment.

We can't continue to turn our back on issues that affect the quality of life, our environment, and the poor workers who are subject to the hazards of these machines.

Please put your personal and special interests aside and vote for the stronger left legislation offered today.

Thank you.

I yield the floor.

Thank you, Representative Mays.

Let's see.

Go ahead, Representative Goldberg.

If you want to speak, you can speak now.

I will pass through the vote.

All right, well, raise your hand when you're ready to speak.

Representative Watkins.

Thank you.

I intend to vote yes on this on the uh form that has now come out.

I wanted to explain my three concerns when this uh proposal was uh first um was first brought out.

Um and I spoke to Representative Camparelli uh about them.

Um the first concern I had was that um uh that electric leaf blowers were not up to task.

Um I went online, looked at consumer reports and several other articles.

It would appear that they are nearly nearly um as powerful uh now as the gas uh uh uh as the gas backpacks.

Um maybe a little bit short, but uh virtually certain with a little passage of time, uh they'll be there.

Uh the second uh concern I had was actually a safety issue, which is unresolved.

Uh, and that is that um charging of the batteries is a dangerous process.

We know that from fires that uh occur with uh with e-bikes.

And let's be clear our landscapers uh generally do not have the luxury of a separate garage for their uh their equipment.

They're parking it in their yards.

Um, they're parking it all over the place.

Um, and so it's not clear how they're going to charge it.

And I think that is a problem.

Uh, but again, I'm believing that um that American entrepreneurial instincts will take over and that there will be opportunities.

Somebody will maybe provide charging facilities, overnight charging facilities.

Uh I don't know exactly how that problem gets solved.

I think it in measure will always exist, but I'm willing to live with it.

Um and uh the third thing I was uh concerned about is that there is expense, it's not inconsequential.

Um so for me it was very important that um there be a long uh glide slope on this.

I was um unhappy when I was shorted shortened to two years.

I'm happy that it's back out at three.

And let's be very clear.

If two years from now there's uh some issue which is there, which is gonna create enormous problems.

Uh I guess our uh our 30-second board can always decide at that time uh to have a further D uh delay.

So I'm uh happy to establish the principle.

I acknowledge that there are issues, and I'm comfortable uh with this proposal that there are enough time to uh to face whatever of those issues uh still exist.

Um and so on that basis I intend to vote yes for it.

Thank you.

Thank you, Representative Watkins.

Representatives in this order, Dela Cruz, followed by Camperelli.

Go ahead, Dela Cruz.

Uh thank you, President Curtis.

I'll be very brief.

Uh Representative Mays stole my thunder and made all the points that I was going to make.

I'll add one more to that.

Uh as part of the discussion on this uh ordinance, I learned a lot.

And one of the things I learned was that fallen leaves is a precious environmental resource.

Creatures like butterflies, the miracle of a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly, frogs and other creatures that the good Lord put on this earth use fallen leaves as their overwintering habitat.

So the miracle of all that life coming to life coming to us in spring is only made possible by fallen leaves.

And here we are taking this machines and blowing that precious habitat to smithereens.

I learned that from the discussion on this.

So I will be voting in support of this legislation.

And if I may say I couldn't think of a better swan song for our final official meeting that to have pass the dog, the puppy mills legislation, the tree legislation, and this ordinance.

What better gift to the part and end our term with?

And I yield.

Thank you.

Thank you, Representative Della Cruz, Representative Campirelli.

Thank you.

I just wanted to say uh something uh uh regarding the fires.

We we did put um an educational piece about battery safety in the ordinance, and um I also want to say that that gas-powered machines are 300 times more likely to start a fire than an electric-powered one.

And that's it.

I yield.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Seeing no other hands.

Okay, representative.

It's I have Mithini, Williams and Goldberg.

Go ahead, Mathini.

Uh thank you.

Um, this isn't the outcome that I had hoped for, and if it passes high probability of not being complied with in my household.

Um for various reasons.

Um I think if this is such an existential threat, we should have done it a year earlier.

Um I still think spring cleanup is important um for certain areas of the uh the city where I live.

Um also electric blowers blow blow stuff.

So I don't know, Virgil, your your butterflies may have to find another alternative to for your butterflies.

But um I and I also the noise isn't gonna stop.

You're still gonna have people aren't gonna stop blowing in the spring and the summer.

It may be a little bit quieter.

I'm just I I don't I don't understand if you people think that maybe this is like uh a silver bullet where everything will stop except for October, November, and December.

Um that's not gonna happen, and I still think that the landscapers in this city are are constituents as well.

I have a number of friends who own companies who work for landscaping companies, so there are constituents too.

Um of them say that their workers are encouraged or even uh required to wear hearing at least hearing protection and eye protection.

So I'm not really sure why you think that people don't want to wear that, but if people choose to, that's their prerogative.

But um I will admit that there are been a lot of there've been uh quite a bit of uh an email campaign.

I get it, um participated in those myself, and there are a lot of people who are for this.

Um I'm still uh there's a voice to be heard for the people who have told me that they're um it's gonna cost them money, and it's gonna cost jobs, it's gonna cost the residents more money for people who do their own lawn, like my household, it's gonna cost us money.

Um, and I will take the win from where this ordinance had originally started with banning all landscaping equipment and the sale of it.

I think that was would have been detrimental to people.

Um I'll take the win that it's just leaf blowers.

Um I still won't vote for it, but I I think we're um the battery technology is not there yet, and hoping that it may be there in three years.

Um I'm not taking that bet.

So without a yield.

Thank you, Representative Matheny, Representative Williams.

Thank you.

President Sherwood.

I um had a lot of conflicting thoughts on the ordinance because I've seen a lot of bad behavior with leaf blowers um in highly dense densely populated areas.

Um, but I will um take a page out of Representative Goldberg's book and not let perfection be the enemy of good.

Um and vote for this.

What I would say, and what I would hopefully, if allowed, charge the 30 second board is to consider um whether or not we should allow people to blow leaves onto roads as opposed to responsibly collecting them and the impact that could have.

Um that is all for me, and I yield and um sorry.

Uh thank you, rep Mathaney, for your work on this and and other members of the board for your efforts on this.

Uh it's a step in the right direction for a cleaner, healthier city.

And I yield.

Thank you, Representative Williams, Representative Goldberg, go ahead.

Uh thank you, madam president.

I appreciate being recognized.

Um so I've come a long way on this ordinance, much like Representative Matheny and Representative Watkins.

Uh I started off as a hard no because I thought it was massive overreach, and I've gotten to the place where I think it's it's reasonable, except in one area, which is economic hardship.

And I only say that because well once again, while I was outdoor knocking in District 13, which has a lot of leaves because we have a lot of big trees.

Um, you know, I had older residents who are on fixed incomes who said, I don't know how I'm gonna afford to make this transition.

Um I'm hoping that over the forthcoming three years the technology costs will come down radically and the range or runtime will go up dramatically.

Um I'm willing to take that bet at this point and not um and not let perfection be the enemy of good because I feel like if in fact we don't get there, I'll have an opportunity to be part of the solution on the 30 second board.

So I will support the legislation tonight.

Thank you.

I yield thank you, Representative Goldberg.

Representative Stella, go ahead.

You guys hear me now, right?

Okay.

Um I'm still the note with this.

You know, I've said from the very beginning, one of the biggest options, one of the biggest problems I've had from the very beginning with this is always going to be about safety.

Anyone that sees any of these videos regarding fires when it comes to these batteries, these batteries go from zero to sixty in a couple of seconds.

There's no indicators when they blow up, they blow up.

It's like a projectile happening, like almost like a grenade.

You know, I I know I know people say, well, there are most there are more gas fires than there are electric.

That's correct.

But at the same time, we're talking about leaf blowers.

There's never gonna be a report that says leaf flower.

There was a leaf blower, a battery operated leaf blower that caught on fire, unless if the battery is attached to the leaf floor apparatus.

Other than that, it's just a battery.

But more importantly, that's like comparing an electric car fire and a gas fire.

You're gonna have more gas fires than actually electric cars.

It's just it's just because of the amount of gas vehicles out there, right?

The same thing when it comes to you working?

Okay, gotcha.

So the point what I'm getting at is this.

Like Representative Watkins mentioned a little while ago.

My biggest concern is that most of these batteries are gonna they're gonna be charged at night in someone's basement, someone's attic, someone's kitchen, whatever.

And when these fires occur, they're gonna occur rapidly.

They're gonna we're gonna have more fires in Stanford, and more importantly, my other concern is the knockoff batteries here.

If you look, if you look at a regular battery, they cost at least $100.

A brand new battery.

If you go to if you go to Amazon or any other platform, you'll you'll see two batteries for like $40.

$50.

That's where the problem, that's the biggest concern I have too.

There's not gonna be any regulations, and there are gonna be fires that are gonna occur in Stanford.

I'm not willing to sign on this at this point because I don't feel like they're safe.

So I'll leave it there.

There's other uh reasons why I'm not gonna vote for this right now, but I'll just stay with the safety for now.

Thank you.

Thank you, Representative Stella, Representative Mays for the second time.

Thank you.

Um I guess I'm not gonna be so humble here.

But uh, you may not know, but I am probably one of the most recognized consumer product safety professionals in this country.

I study things like battery fires.

I study recalls, I study hazards with a lot of different consumer products.

I know about batteries and I know about the issues about about batteries and lithium ion batteries.

We have a lithium ion batteries in our phones right now, they're not catching on fire.

The issue is that we heard a lot about e-bike fires, like uh Representative Watkins uh uh raised.

And part of that was because there were no industry standards associated with the batteries for e-bikes.

There are now.

There are UL standards, underwriter laboratory standards that recently passed, and you cannot buy an e-bike or an e-bike battery in New York City, it doesn't meet those standards.

Any responsible retailer is not going to sell you a product that doesn't meet industry standards.

Um the fact is is that when it comes to rechargeable batteries for um outdoor power equipment, the number of fires is extremely low.

Extremely low because the manufacturers are very cognizant of some of the issues and they're dealing with them just like the manufacturers of cell phones.

Um that we use every day, our laptops that have lithium ion batteries.

Yeah, a long time ago, yeah, every once in a while you would hear problems with those.

Those problems are going away.

And I think we've got a three-year window here in which the retailers and industry can can catch up if they need to catch up.

But I don't think that this is an issue that we really need to worry about.

Um, I truly believe that these things are safe, and if I didn't think so, I wouldn't have three batteries charging right now in my garage.

Thank you, Representative Mays, Representative Stella for the second time.

I'm gonna make this short because I I just heard what Representative Mays just said right now, that they're not really a threat, but a couple of weeks ago, I think it was like two weeks ago, there was a fire in the plane for my lithium battery, actually.

And and the fact is there was you know, there was a fire that occurred in a high rise in New York City in a construction site in the middle of the night.

New York City was also looking to apply to look to ban even e-bikes in housing in a housing locations.

The fact is this either way you do.

I understand that you're talking about that they're safe and you're talking about stores, that still doesn't stop me or anyone from ordering online and receiving it at home, which are knockoffs.

That's what my concerns that also there's no enforcement.

And I think that once we push this bar where we force people that everyone has to transition to this, we're gonna have fires in Stanford, and it's gonna happen.

And when it happens, I want nothing to do with it at this point, because I don't believe they're safe.

I don't think we could enforce them.

Thank you.

Thank you, Representative Stella.

Representative Camporelli.

Thank you, Chair.

Uh the fires that you're talking about are sensationalism.

The statistics are that these things are less likely to start a fire than an actual gas-powered piece of equipment.

We have someone that is telling us that he is a battery expert, and he's saying that they're less likely to go on fire, and we're challenging that, and and I don't understand that.

We've we've put tons of statistics up there.

Um, we've even put other battery experts testimony in the legislative record stating the same thing that I repeated here that a gas-powered lawn equipment is three hundred times more likely to go on fire.

Most fires from cell phones and things like that happen.

They're very rare, and they happen because somebody uses an antiquated piece of charging equipment, or they put the phone under their pillow or something like that.

We're not banning cell phones, um, you know, and laptop equipment.

So with that I yield.

Thank you, Representative Camporelli, Representative Tomas.

Thank you, President Sherwood.

Um, what happens to all these batteries when these uh batteries use lose their life expectancy?

Where do these batteries go?

Are you asking anybody?

I'm just trying to get an answer.

Representative Camporelli, go ahead.

They are recyclable in the city of Stanford, and as opposed to gas-powered equipment, which is not recyclable.

Yeah, but where do the batteries actually go?

They are recycled, they are taken apart, pieces are removed from them, reused, and recycled.

Uh I don't I don't believe that to be a hundred percent accurate.

Dan Dan Calori, uh actually that is also in the legislative record.

Um Dan Calory answered that in an email to me, and I put it in the legislative record.

They are recyclable in the in the city of Stanford, and in many other cities.

I I I'm not lying.

I'm not saying you're lying.

Okay, I just say I don't believe it's accurate.

I didn't say you were lying.

Okay.

Okay.

So I mean, if you believe that all our uh recyclables are separated and and uh like they say they are.

Um I don't believe that either.

Hang on, hang on.

Representative Tomas.

Um, do you have another question for Representative Camborelli?

No, I did not just made a statement.

Are you all set?

Uh no, I I just want to say that I also agree with my my uh colleague, Representative Mitheney, uh, about uh uh what she said about some of these financial hardships for these small uh businesses in Stanford.

Uh I also uh believe uh that my colleague uh Stella uh also has some valid issues.

Um and I would probably uh uh you know uh worry about the the safety as well.

So I'm I'm not gonna be voting for this this evening, and I just wanted to share my thoughts.

Thanks.

Thank you, Representative Tomas.

Seeing no other hands, Clerk Cotrel.

Can we take this to a vote?

Yes, this will be a roll call vote on item LR 31 dot 100 ordinance for public hearing and final adoption requiring a citywide transition to electric landscaping equipment.

In this city is representative Danes, please mute yourself, Representative Baines.

There you go.

Go ahead, Clerk O'Tro in the city of Stanford.

Pass for now.

No.

Burns.

Yes.

Goger.

Yes.

Campbell.

Abstain.

Okay.

Camporelli.

Yes.

I'm voting yes.

Curtis.

No.

Daley Cruz.

Yes.

Fidelity.

Yes.

Figueroa.

No.

Gilbride.

Oh, she left the meeting.

Oh, sorry.

She's on here.

Yes.

Sorry.

Okay.

Thank you so much.

You are yes.

Thank you.

All right.

Thanks.

Goldberg.

Yes.

All right.

I is Graham on the meeting.

Okay, Graham.

Are you how are you voting?

Graham.

I'll come back around.

Kaczynski.

Yes.

Okay.

Lie.

Yes.

Mithene.

No.

Mays.

Yes.

Okay.

Earlier.

Um Morrison.

Yes.

Thank you.

Patterson.

No.

No.

Okay.

Pavia.

Pavia, are you on?

Hello?

Yeah, I'll come back to you.

Pierre Louis.

No.

Pollock.

Yes.

Thank you.

Roketta.

Yes.

Thank you.

Seftage.

Yes.

All right.

Sanford left the meeting earlier.

Shaw.

Yes.

Thank you.

Sherwood.

Yes.

Thank you.

Stella.

No.

Thank you.

Strain.

Abstain.

Summerville.

Abstain.

Abstain.

Tomas.

No.

Okay.

Vandervoert.

Yes.

Okay.

Wolston.

No.

No.

Watkins.

Yes.

Thank you.

Weinberg.

Yes.

Williams.

Pass.

Um Adams, how do you vote?

No.

No.

Okay.

Returning to Williams.

Yes.

Okay.

Um Graham.

Are you voting?

It doesn't look like she's.

Yes.

Yeah.

Yes.

Okay.

And then Pavia, how are you voting?

Yes.

Okay.

Has everyone voted.

Um.

Everyone who passed has now voted.

I believe that is everyone that is on.

Um, Barbara, can you read out the tally, please?

It's 23103.

Oh, sorry, Angie.

Uh, it is 23103, so that passes.

Um that passes.

Congratulations, Representative Camporelli going back to Representative Burns with the L and R committee.

Uh, thank you, Madam Chair.

The last item on the legislative and rules committee meeting was item number four, LR 31.104 review of the Board of Representatives invocation policy to ensure it aligns with the First Amendment protections.

And we had a um excellent memo provided to us uh by um city attorney um Lee.

Uh and I uh commend it to all of us.

The report was made, and that is the end of my report, madam chair.

Thank you, Chair Burns, and thank you, 31st Board of Representatives, legislative and rules committee.

Going back to our agenda, fiscal committee was led by uh co-chair Fidelity.

Co-Chair Fidelity, go ahead.

Thank you.

Um the fiscal committee met on Monday, October 27th at 6 p.m.

by webinar.

Uh and we took up the following items.

Item number one, F31604, um, for 743,941 dollars, additional appropriation operating for police administration requests to for additional funding to increase police budget, police officers' position from 217 to 230.

Uh there was no action taken as a board of finance, did not take that up.

Um item number two, F31605 for 2,423,801.59 cents, additional appropriation capital project CP 8711, utility paving funding for for full road right roadway restorations on utility road openings, utilities cover partial costs, road maintenance to maintain curb to curb repairs to extend pavement life and reduce future reservicing.

Uh that item is on consent 1000.

Uh item number three, F 31606 for 88,330, additional appropriation grants.

Stanford Police Department.

Um Connecticut Department of Public Health awarded grant for community violence intervention and prevention services to support police led youth mentoring anti-violence training and partnerships with Domus and Liberation Programs, 100% funded.

That item is also on content on consent 100.

Item 4, F31607 resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into and sign agreements with the Connecticut Children's Medical Center for the Community Violence and Intervention Prevention Service Grant.

That's on consent 1000.

Item 5, F 31608 for 41,795.39 cents.

Additional appropriation grant pursuant to public act 25-168.

The Connecticut Secretary of State awarded Stanford a grant to help cover early voting costs for November 2025 election, including labor and ballot expenses.

1000 item six, F31609 resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into an into and sign an agreement with the Connecticut Secretary of State for early voting.

That was approved, 100 and is on consent.

Item number seven, F 31610, 228,905, additional appropriation grants, cops hiring grant to fund to fund six new police officers.

The funds, the final five months of fiscal year 26.

Grant requires a city match and future um funding year 27 funding.

The resolution.

Oh no, two through six.

Yeah.

Two through six.

All right.

There's a motion and a second for items two through six.

All those in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Any opposed.

Any abstentions?

Those passed unanimously before I return the floor back to co-chair Fidelity.

I want to remind board members that there is an item on the public safety and rules committee agenda this evening that requires a minimum of 30 votes of board of representative members to pass it.

So please do not leave this meeting.

Thank you.

Go ahead, Co Chair Fidelity.

Um thank you, uh President Show.

Before I conclude, I would just like to thank my co-chair and the committee for all of their hard work this past four years.

We took up over 600 items for budgets and a lot of uh budget hearings.

So a lot of hard work was done.

We always had a quorum, so I'd like to thank the committee for all their hard work.

So thank you very much.

That concludes my report.

Thank you, Co-Chair Fidel, and thank you, 31st Board of Representatives Fiscal Committee.

We already did legislative and rules.

And now we are going to personnel committee.

Go ahead, Chair Fidely.

Thank you.

Um personnel committee met on Monday, October 20th, uh 2025 at 7 o'clock by webinar.

We had two items.

First item was P31079, approval of the Clerk of the Works 3 agreement with um Raquel Anderson.

That was on consent 701.

And then item number two was P31080, approval of the Clerk of the Works 3 agreement with Sean P.

McGarrity.

And that item is also on consent.

So I'll move the consent agenda.

Items one and two.

Second.

Thank you.

There's a motion and a second for items one and two and personnel.

All those in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Are there any opposed?

Are there any opposed?

Are there any abstentions?

Those items pass unanimously.

Go ahead.

Chair Fidelity.

Thank you.

And again, thank you to the personnel committee.

We took up 80 items.

Always had a quorum and was a great committee to be a part of.

And I thank everyone.

Thank you.

Thank you, co-chair Fidelity, and thank you, personnel committee of the 31st Board of Representatives.

Representative Boger, go ahead.

Madam President, would you would it would it be in your favor to to if I uh make a motion to suspend the rules right now so we could move to public safety items number five and six uh specifically?

There's a motion and a second.

Second suspend the rules.

And all those in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Are there any opposed?

Are there any abstentions?

Okay, so we are now on PS 31073.

Um represent and PS31074, Representative Stella with the public safety and health committee.

For just those items at this time.

Yes.

Okay.

Um the first item I'm gonna keep on consent.

It will be item number five, PS31.073 resolution waiving the requirements of section.

Let me just move this so I can see it better.

213 point B of the Code of Ordinance to rem to rename to remake West Park B or B place uh place as any Somerville way.

And I'm asking for second.

Okay, there's a motion and a second.

All those in favor of PS31.073, please say aye.

Aye.

Are there any opposed?

Are there any abstentions?

That passes unanimously.

Go ahead, Representative Stella for item six.

Thank you.

I'm gonna take this item number six out of consent.

Um PS31.074 resolution renaming West Park Place as NEM Somerville way in conformance with section 21 of code of ordinance.

Second hey, there's a motion and a second.

Uh is there any discussion.

Representative Campirelli.

First of all, I just want to say that it has been my honor and privilege to serve with Representative Somerville.

Um 48 years giving for no pay, no return.

People yell at you, hate you, throw every epithet at you.

And still she kept coming back for more.

Uh standing outside of countless rolling stations to get re-elected.

Uh begging Josh Fidel over and over again for stamps.

I don't know how you did it, Annie, but I admire you.

You really are my idol.

And I am so honored to be able to uh vote on these these things, and I I thank uh Jeff Stella and whoever else uh thought about bringing these things to the board, and we are going to miss you and and the other members that are outgoing.

And I yield.

Thank you, Representative Um Camporelli, Representative Boger, followed by Representative Somerville and Stella.

Thank you, Madam President.

Annie.

Um I I just I want to say um I want to I want to thank you.

Um this is my first term and probably my only term on this board.

And every time I've come into this building and seen you, or any time I've called you, or any time like that.

You always you always do a handful of things.

You you tell me how much you appreciate me.

You're telling me how much you love me.

And uh when and like you you thank me all the time, and it it should be the other way around.

No, I'm I'm the rookie here.

And you're you're the seasoned veteran.

And you're the matriarch at this board.

And you're probably gonna be known as the matriarch for this board for all yeah, forever.

So you know, thank you for that.

I doubt that.

But um, you know, thank you.

Thank you for thank you for uh an exemplary amount of service, and um, you know, it's it the this the city and the people that you represent are uh in your debt.

Yes, the night we are, yes.

Representative Stella, go ahead.

Thank you, Chair.

Um Annie, um there's one thing I have to I have to correct Dennis in one thing, and and I and I I wanted to thank him also for acknowledging me for for the the work that I put in when it came to the appointments commission and some of the changes I wanted to apply.

But that all stemmed from Annie Somerville, of her telling me the way things used to be.

How did the transparency used to happen in the city of Stanford when it came to appointments, how they used to notify the people just by newspaper.

There were so many things that when I wasn't sure about, Annie was the one that called, and she used to take me down, she used to go down memory lane and remind me the way this board used to be, the way the board should be composing itself in the manner that respect respecting each other.

You heard it tonight.

She's constantly talking about love, and that's the one thing that every time I call Annie, Annie always I always felt from her when I had those conversations, and I never ever hung up the phone on Annie and not laugh about something she told me.

Because believe it or not, she has a wicked sense of humor.

And that's something that I think this board is not going to be able to replace.

Um 48 years is not, I don't think we're ever gonna see this in any lifetime.

And I any from the bottom of my heart, and I think the city of Stanford should be thanking you for so much that you've done.

To me, you're the the unsung hero.

And God bless you, and and again, thank you, because I've learned a lot from you.

Thank you, Representative Stella, Representative Weinberg, go ahead.

Oh, thank you.

Um so when I heard the comment earlier this evening uh that Annie had Andy, that you had you had attended something in something around 570 some odd board meetings.

Um it it motivated me to do a little arithmetic exercise.

So at least based on the average length of our board meetings that actually works out to literally 120 24 hour days when you throw in committees, and Annie attends a lot of committee meetings, Annie has probably spent literally two years of 24 hours, 365 days, and that doesn't include on this board working for this the people of Stanford, and of course that doesn't include her constituent service service, it doesn't include her preparation time, it's just meeting time that's unfathomable.

And it's it just I hope, at least for me, not that I'm gonna be on this board for 48 years it just sets a standard of contribution to the people of Stanford that I I just I hope we all retain as a load star of what we should be doing.

I thank you.

Thank you, Representative Weinberg.

Go ahead, Representative Somerville, followed by Pierre Louis, Fidelity, Walton, and Campbell.

Go ahead, Representative Somerville.

Put her mic on.

Can somebody please put her mic on?

Um when I look into your eyes, I can see all sides of you.

I choose the side that says hello.

And that's what and you never realize how much I've learned from just observing the way you do the things that you do.

I respect it so much to the point you remind me of things when I didn't get it right a lot of times, and I got spankings.

But to be true to say that Annie was the type of person you couldn't talk to.

And I would say this to you, this is what you might not know as a group.

It might help you along the way.

Also, there is no bar to my bite.

I survived off of that.

And being able to say I'm sorry.

All those things.

Tell me the same thing about you.

So I learned it for myself, and I'm so blessed for having to be able to do that.

Thank all of you.

You're killing me here.

But uh I'm not going anywhere.

You're gonna look out there, and you see how David's looking like he's ready to go, and all of them are looking at and uh so I'm saying I'm gonna be looking you straight in your eye.

This is my life.

I wouldn't give nothing for the experience I've had here.

I wouldn't give nothing for the experience I've had with each board, one by one.

Not just human beings sitting in a seat and say goodnight, hello, goodbye.

I can critique you all, and I have something nice to say about it and know about it.

Don't worry about what you cannot make happen.

And I, in my belief, say pray for those who does not understand, and know that we all human beings in this wonderful land of the living, and to get things wrong sometime, that's good for me because I'm not gonna do that again.

So what can else can I say other than you see that gentleman sitting there when I would give up, and I would have given up the kind of things that this board has done for me.

You done a yearman job.

When I grow up, I want to be just like you.

So thank you, and Nina.

I want to say to you, keep on going, all of you.

Uh when I get lonely, I look at the old takes.

Me and David Martin started that.

And we I just knew that I was not my intellect wasn't good enough.

I I just knew that I couldn't do it.

And I look at it, I said, Wow, I did good.

Because all of this stuff you're seeing now, didn't have that sophistication.

Sometimes we had to hit it.

Make it work.

So don't give up on that either.

Thank you for all of your kindness, goodness, and I say, oh, to be kept.

And I always keep you in my heart.

Thank you.

I'm finished.

Thank you, Representative Somerville.

I want to remind all members that there is one more item this evening that requires 30 votes.

As of right now, there are 31 members present.

So if no, I know that I'm just making sure people don't leave.

Thank you.

There's nobody here.

We have another item.

There are still people who have their hands raised.

Representative.

Representative Pierre Louis, go ahead.

No.

Oh I want to say, I want to say that when I came to thank you.

When I came to um the board, I saw you as a matriarch.

I saw my mother in you.

Okay.

Oh it we had uh a resolution for your name to be either in the office or over here.

I fought my hardest because I wanted your name to be here.

Why?

Because by any measure, you have outshined in terms of your service.

Any of us.

So that's why I was very adamant that John be here.

Thank you.

I didn't know that it was a big secret.

So this resolution is a small token of our appreciation of our uh appreciation.

You have been a whole model for many, many and many members of our citizen.

For that, I think.

May I kiss you?

No.

Um, thank you.

Representative Pierre Wee.

The speakers that I have in line are Fidelity Walston, Campbell, and Patterson.

I ask the four of you, can we please take a vote on this and then take up the other representative Somerville items, and then you I will start with your names.

Okay.

So we're gonna go to a vote on this.

Um, all those in favor, please say aye.

Are there any opposed?

Are there any abstentions?

That passes unanimously.

Representative Boger, go ahead.

I'd like to make a motion to suspend the rule so we can immediately take up items number six and seven on land use.

I so move.

Okay, there's a motion and a second.

All those in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

No opposed.

Are there any abstentions?

That passes unanimously.

Representative Tomas.

Representative um Burns with a point of order.

Go ahead.

Yes, I'm sorry.

What matter is this?

This is the naming of represent uh the naming of the board office to honor uh after Annie Somerville.

The item requires 30 votes.

Got it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Representative Tomas, go ahead.

Thank you, President Sherwood.

Uh, land use and urban redevelopment committee met on Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025 at 7 p.m.

by webinar.

We'll be going to item number six, LU 31.063.

It's a resolution waiving the requirements of section 21-3.

In order to name the legislative board of office as the Annie M.

Somerville Board Office at the Stanford Government Center, like that on consent.

And then item number seven, LU 31.064.

It's a resolution naming the board office as the Annie M.

Somerville Board Office at the Stanford Government Center.

Originally LR 31.074, like that on consent.

Second.

I want the LU 31.058.

Is there I think there's a number of speakers for that one, so that should be off consent.

Sorry, sorry.

Um 31.064.

I apologize for that.

That one should be off consent.

Okay.

I'll I'll remove that from consent then.

So uh right now, would you like to move LU 31.063?

Yes, please.

Is there a second?

Second.

All those in favor.

Please say.

Aye.

Are there any opposed?

Are there any abstentions?

That item passes unanimously.

Uh Representative Tomas for item number seven.

Um I like to move it.

To move it, yeah.

There's second.

Second.

Okay.

Um the next speaker.

Hang on.

Is Representative Fidelity go ahead.

Um, thank you, Madam President.

Annie, I'm not gonna turn around and look at you because I'll probably get all teary-eyed.

But um, as a person who's has served with you the longest on this board, um, we've been through a lot.

We've been through um many good times, many sad times.

We've served together and have served with many great people over the years, um, many great leaders, um, and many great strong women leaders like yourself.

And uh I'm sitting here and I'm and I'm giggling because everybody's talking to you, Annie, and they're saying what a sweet, kind, soft spoken woman that you are, and I will tell you that I've known Annie in her prime, and you didn't want to mess with Annie, especially when it came to things in the board office, because she ran that board office and it spun like a top, not that it doesn't now, Megan, but um it just she was a force to be reckoned with, and she was a great role model for for women on the board, um, just like Carmen Demacas has been, and people like um Sandy Goldstein, who Annie came up with, and it's truly been a pleasure for me to serve with Annie over the years.

Um, I was always afraid of Annie for like the first 10 years, and then she you know, gave me the big smile, and I knew I was in, so I was okay, but it certainly has been a pleasure to serve with you, Annie, and you've taught me a lot, and we'll definitely have lunch, and I appreciate everything you've done for the city, and the city owes does owe you a debt of gratitude.

So thank you very much, Annie, and we love you.

I love you too.

Thank you, Representative Fidelity, Representative Walton.

Go ahead.

I won't be long.

Annie.

Come up front.

I'm gonna look in your eyes.

Yes.

I remember you when I was a young girl here in Stanford.

You had the black hair and those long eyelashes.

Yeah, I had to take them off.

Yeah, I remember you.

You always stood out wherever you were.

So I just want to say I salute you for a job well done, and I will carry with me.

Let my work speak for itself.

The work I've done speaks.

Yes, I will not forget that, and thank you for all of the encouragement.

When I was discouraged, I will never forget what you've done for me, and I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to serve with you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Representative Walson, Representative Campbell.

That's my sister by another mother.

Those are my friends out there.

Sorry, Nino.

Okay.

Right along with Ella Grasso and Ellen Cam.

Yeah, my picture.

Yes, Ellen Cam.

Women that I looked up to as a young girl.

And I never thought that I would ever get to know you.

Um, but um, when I got elected to the board, I was so excited because I said, oh my God, I'm gonna be able to pick her brain.

And I just want to thank you because you're probably the only person in this city who could check me when I was when I would get a little too frisky, and um, I want to thank you for your commitment and for being a role model to so many brown girls, and for being such an example to us that even when there was no table for us to sit at, yeah, you made a place for me to come sit and to speak, and I especially thank you for that.

And um, they don't necessarily know you like I know you, but you're great to talk to late at night, and um I appreciate you, and uh thank you for everything.

You're wonderful.

Wow, you want my sunshine?

You know, you guys know that song, my only sunshine.

You make me happy when Scott's a gray.

Thank you, Representative Campbell.

Uh, and finally, Representative Patterson.

Thank you.

You know, um I find it interesting.

Representative Fidelity is the only one that made reference to the dragon that we all knew.

And as my longtime partner.

I'm your friend, I'm your friend too.

A lot of people have come up to me and said, you know, I'm kind of scared of Annie, and how what should I do?

And I'm gonna make it very short.

I I've always said there are only two things you need to know about Annie.

Number one, she demands respect.

And if you don't give her respect, they'll pay for it.

And number two, Annie is always a lady.

Yeah.

Oh wow.

That was nice.

Thank you.

We will take other names.

We will take this by voice vote.

All those in favor, please say aye.

Are there any opposed?

Are there any abstentions?

Um that passes unanimously.

I would like to take a moment of personal privilege as uh chairing this item.

I cannot speak or appear to be debating.

Um, but I just I just wanna I just want to say to you, Annie, that I have no idea how you served for 48 years.

I mean, that is uh unbelievable.

And Representative Stella had been talking to me for a number of months about wanting to name something after you.

And we had a lot of discussions and there were some ideas about different places downtown, and I'm not I've lived in Stanford all my life, but I I'm you know, I don't spend a tremendous amount of time downtown, and the things that we were talking about a lot like nothing really felt right to me, like what we were gonna name after you.

It didn't feel right because I feel like you deserve so much for all the work that you've done for this city.

And um when I was talking to him, I you love Mill River Park, and you'd spoken about that.

Um then I was like, what else does does Annie like love in that district?

And I was like, Curly's diner.

No, and I listen, Curly's Diner to me is an icon.

Yes, it is a rock in a rough sea.

It is a uh it is a piece of history that has stood the test of time.

It is bravery, it is courage, and that's what you are.

And the idea of naming the sidewalk in front of Curly's Diner after you to me felt logically, spiritually, and emotionally like the best thing to do for you.

Um, because you have done so much for this city, and I told you I'd cry.

It's okay.

I I've got up and got one because I knew you are just so classic, and your dedication and compassion.

You go to all the meetings, ones you're not on, you live for this city without taking a single dime.

We didn't always agree, but I always respected you, and I always know every time you voted, you voted because it came from your heart, what you felt was right, and so I just want to thank you on behalf of the board as president for 48 years.

Thank you.

Okay, going back back.

What on Curly Dana about the law and she won?

Oh, not you mean if people can say that.

Oh that's a record show.

That family.

With the help of Marie.

Both the law and that being the city.

Stanford, Connecticut.

And she won.

And I know that she won.

And I saw that she won.

And I ate some of the stuff to pay for what you mean.

So thank you so much for bringing it up.

That that sets it all off to say.

We still love each other.

All of us.

Keep at the good look.

Follow me any time.

Thank you, Representative Somerville.

Um to the top of land use and urban redevelopment committee.

I want to remind board members that there are still a few items that need 21 votes to pass.

I implore you not to leave.

Um this should go quickly.

Representative Tomas, go ahead.

Thank you, President Sherwood.

Uh item number one, LU 31.043.

It was review widening of Gardner Street between Henry Street and Dock Street.

That was recommitted to steering.

Uh LU 31.062 review zoning regulation enforcement of city ordinances and ML makes use light industrial districts.

Uh no action was taken.

LU31.059 review of establishment and 39 uh 36 Vine Road, that was recommitted to steering.

LU 31.060 review administration's plans to relocate the lines and science factory out of Courtland Park in accordance with resolution 4392.

That was recommitted to steering.

LU31.055 review 2035 comprehensive plan report made.

Uh and item number eight, LU 31.058.

It was an ordinance for publication, forming a conservation commission in the city of Stanford that was recommitted to steering.

And so uh concludes my report.

Thank you, Co-Chair Tomas, for all your hard work on the committee, and thank you, land use and urban redevelopment committee of the 31st Board of Representatives.

I'll be taking that as well.

Uh I had to be excused, so representative.

Oh, sorry, I forgot about that.

Go ahead, Representative Tomas.

Operations Committee met on Thursday, October 23rd, 2025 at 630 by webinar.

We had two uh items 031.069 review status and update of the South End Community Center Repairs.

That was recommitted to steering.083 review administration's current plans for West Main Street Bridge in comparison to Board of Representatives resolution number 4367.

That was also recommitted to steering.

So concludes my report.

Thank you, Vice Chair Tomas.

Thank you, Chair uh Dela Cruz for chairing the operations committee, and thank you, operations committee of the 31st Board of Representatives.

Public Safety and Health Committee Representative Stella, go ahead.

Thank you.

Um item number one, PS31.002 review of administration plans to pursue air quality monitoring as proposed in resolution 4081 previously, PS 30.092.

Recommended to steering.

Um I'm gonna skip item number two for now.

I'm gonna go to item number three.

Item number three is PS 31.071.

It was a review updating regarding outcoming res investigation related to a force arrest of a student after incident with school administrator.

Recommended to steering.

Um item number four, PS 31.072 review.

Request for a report from the administration on incident involving force arrest of a student at the direction of school administrator to include findings, outcomes, and corrective policies and procedures to prevent.

That was also recommended to steering.

Now back to item number two.

I'm gonna take that item out of consent, which is item number P um item to PS 31.070 resolution congratulating Angela Corello on her retirement for her journalism career over twenty forty-one years.

So move.

Okay.

Is there any discussion?

Representative Goldberg, go ahead.

Thank you, madam president.

I looked at the board's website to see the public health and safety committee's mandate.

This resolution falls outside the committee's responsibilities, so I believe it does not belong in this part of our agenda.

Thus, I cannot support the resolution right now because I do not see it as relevant to public to the public's safety and health.

Looking at the content of the resolution, I have profound reservations.

After a long career at the Stanford Advocate, Ms.

Corella decided to become politically active by supporting a candidate opposing the current city administration.

Later when she joined the CT examiner, many perceived her articles as politically motivated rather than news.

Perhaps if she had been an editorial or opinion writer, I'd feel differently.

I know that this is a subjective assessment, highlighting the precarious position we've entered.

We should avoid leveraging our capacity to recognize a member of the public who is also a paid journalist.

Such actions blur the separation between government and the press, which may establish an unfavorable precedent going forward.

Furthermore, the current blurring of boundaries between the press and the government in the country.

I think that passing this would set an even more concerning precedent for any governmental body.

Finally, I'd like to note that this resolution or one similar originated as an honorary measure.

Many of us found this troubling and voice voiced our concerns.

Bringing it up now during this segment of the meeting seems like an attempt to subvert the board's established procedures, and for that reason, I'm unable to support it.

Thank you, and I yield.

Thank you.

Representative Boger, go ahead.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um, to surmise this individual's career down to just a couple of facts with regard to her um constitutional right to express her political leanings whichever way she wants to in her private life and completely sidestep the absolutely brilliant career that she has had um and service she's she's uh brought to the city through her um her journalism over the decades is you know uh I I I just personally I would be remiss if I let that slide.

Um you know what yes, this this item is in it coming to us in an unusual fashion.

Um it may not ha it may not be exactly germane to public safety.

I agree with my fellow rep on that point.

But here's the thing there is nothing there's nothing prohibiting us from doing it in this manner, and unfortunately it has to be done in that manner because uh an honorary resolution in this case, unfortunately will not will not go through, uh potentially because of disagreeable because of uh not not agreeing with a journalist expressing their uh political viewpoints or leanings somehow.

But um, you know, we st this is still the United States of America.

We still have freedom of the press, we still have freedom of speech, and I believe Angela Corella in embodied that to her her inner core.

Um I will not uh who who will ever forget the scrap metal um fiasco.

Um I mean there's there's just so many things that she wrote about over the years.

I and uh believe me, she's taken me to task a couple times over the police department and um standing her ground, and she's just you have to be a long-time Stanford native, maybe I guess, to appreciate the full depth and capacity of her career.

It's just truly outstanding.

There's maybe only uh a handful of other journalists that came through this city that you could that that can hold a candle to her.

Um while I appreciate the fact that this is coming to us uh in a a little a little bit of an unorthodox way, I think Angela herself would appreciate that because she was kind of she's kind of unorthodox herself.

So um, you know, I know it's a late hour, uh but uh I I had to I had to speak my heart on this one, and I will full I will be fully supporting this uh resolution.

Thank you.

Thank you, Representative Campbell, go ahead.

Uh go ahead, Representative Gilbrien.

Um sorry to interrupt.

Um the link is not working.

Um resolution, I'd like to review it prior to voting on it, please.

Um, I'll just read it into the record.

Um, whereas Angela Corella was born and raised in Stanford, and whereas Ms.

Corella graduated from West Hill High School and went on to attend Southern Connecticut State University for her undergraduate degree and then attended New York University, earning her master's degree in journalism.

And whereas Ms.

Corello worked for the Stanford Advocate from 1984 to 2020, and then worked for the Connecticut Examiner from 2022 until 2025.

And whereas at the Stanford Advocate, she worked in turn as a beat reporter, an investigative reporter, a columnist, an assess uh an assignment editor, a page one editor, and a features editor.

And whereas at the Connecticut Examiner, she covered all of Stanford, including City Hall, budgets, politics, boards and commission, schools, neighborhoods, traffic and parking, zoning development, the environment, ethics, housing, police, city history, profiles of residents, and uh breaking news.

And whereas Ms.

Corella has reported on investigations that included a sexual abuse case involving a Stanford high school teacher, the school district's handling of teacher misconduct, nepotism in municipal hiring, activities of city contractors, developers, demolition of the Stanford boat yard, theft of city scrap metal, abuse of the absentee ballot system, double selling of graves in the Stanford Cemetery, the botched rebuild of the library branch by a contractor connected to organized crime, garbage hauler fraud at the city waste station, and more.

And whereas Miss Angela Corella has won numerous awards over her extensive journalism career, which spans over 41 years, such as taking first place in the general column category of the Society of Professional Journalists Excellence in Journalism Awards and receiving the Theodore Driscoll Award for Investigative Reporting from the Society of Professional Journalists, Connecticut Chapter.

Ms.

Corella has also earned the best reporting award by the Deadline Club, New York City Chapter for a series, Stanford's Black Middle Class, and the Community Reporting Award for New England by the New England Society of Newspaper Editors.

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the 31st Board of Representatives congratulates Miss Angela Corella on her retirement after providing her journalism skills to better connect and serve our greater Stanford community.

Um go ahead, Representative Campbell.

Thank you.

Public safety.

Public safety is more than just the hospital, the fire department, the police, EMS.

The media, the press really, is an agent of public safety during the civil rights movement.

We would not have known what was going on with dogs and water hoses and how badly people were being treated until white people sitting on their couches saw that on CBS.

They had no idea what was going on in people's lives.

And it caused them to call their congressmen and senators and say, what's what's going on here?

Angela Corella works for the Stanford Advocate.

She's the West Side girl.

She's always cared about people.

The press is supposed to be nonpartisan.

Who, what, where, when, why, how she went after the story.

She dug deeper.

As the Stanford Healthcare system.

I yield to floor.

Thank you, Representative Campbell.

Representative Kaczynski, go ahead.

Thank you, President.

As many of you know, the press is deemed the fourth estate, signifying its central role in successful democracies where the free flow of information and perspective is critical to the democracy and republics that those democracies represent.

Corella.

So thank you.

That I yield my tongue.

Thank you, Representative Kaczynski.

Um there are two more speakers, Representative Champarelli, and then finally Representative Figueroa.

Go ahead, Representative Camparelli.

Thank you, President Sherwood.

Um, I just like to say that what a what a wonderful time to honor someone in the press, a native, a native of Stanford, while our White House is suppressing access to the press.

Um, because the White House doesn't like the way that they're reporting on things, and I would hate to see anyone in this body vote against this honorary resolution for for Angela Carrera based on one or two articles when she's had such a a lifetime of uh reporting the news.

Um, and in the context of what the White House is right now doing, and I yield.

Thank you, Representative Camporelli, Representative Figueroa.

Go ahead.

Uh, thank you, Madame Cheyer.

Can I be her?

Yes, you can.

Okay, perfect.

Uh, thank you.

Yes, uh, what an honor for me this evening, um, to be able to cast a positive vote for uh Miss Angela Carrella.

Um, the reason why I will be voting, obviously, uh, for this um uh resolution is because I have a lot of respect for Miss Carella.

I think when she was writing an article, she was doing it with the truth.

She was always um educating the public without being biased, and those who may be um going the opposite way is because there is no transparency when we come to when she came to explain and to narrate as to what's happening um in Stanford right now.

So I think if any individual defended journalists deserve a resolution this evening, that should be given to Miss Carella, who is a very honest uh person.

Um she was telling the truth, and I'm sorry if it hurt some of your guys by her narrating the truth, but she was doing nothing but educating the public and telling us the truth.

So I encourage everybody to vote yes for this um ordinance.

Thank you.

Thank you, Representative Figueroa, Representative Stella.

Thank you.

Um also think about it couldn't have been easy her writing a story, writing some of the stories in your own backyard, uncovering the corruption that's happening Stanford in the past.

There had to be a sense of fear of knowing at any given time someone could just knock on your door.

Not everyone is willing to do and and put themselves at risk to to do the right thing and to inform the people of Stanford what's happening.

I mean, I I'm not from Stanford, but I've heard a lot of stories of the way things used to be back then.

So it couldn't have been easy for her to write these stories and not think of the the fear there um the possibility of harm.

So you have to give it to her.

You have to be able to say that this was a woman on the time where um most of the time back then, most of the reporters were men.

Couldn't have been easy for her.

So if anyone deserves this, I think she does.

I don't think Stanford's ever gonna have another reporter like her.

I think it's gonna be a void.

It's gonna be a very long time before we hear so you know have someone to write this type of caliber of stories.

Thank you.

Thank you, Representative Stella, Representative Williams.

Go ahead.

Thank you, President Sherwood.

I just have a procedural question.

Um voting for this resolution.

Is unanimous approval required?

No, but just a majority of those present and voting.

And is there a precedence for a resolution of this not nature uh falling under one of the subcommittees like public safety?

Um, I don't think anybody went back and looked at the history, but there's nothing in our rules that uh prevent um an item being put on the agenda.

It was put on the agenda by the steering committee.

Um Representative Cotrella saying we've done it before.

Uh I approved it to go on uh the steering agenda under public safety, and the the steering committee uh approved it going on public safety.

Um representative Cotrella saying we've done it before uh I approved it to go on uh the steering agenda under public safety and the the steering committee uh approved it going on public safety so there's nothing wrong with it representative cotrell if you have any other information yeah we had an honorary resolution that uh was polled and then passed as a regular resolution in the past on the 30th board on the 30th board yeah yeah thank you for addressing my questions I yield you um okay so with no other speakers uh we will take this item to a roll call vote go ahead clerk coachell with the roll call okay this is uh uh PS31 dot zero seven zero resolution congratulating Angela Corella on her retirement from her journalism career of over forty one years Adams yes Baines yes Burns blank boger yes Campbell yes Camborelli yes I'm a yes Curtis yes Taylor Cruz Fidelity abstaining Figaroa yes Gail Bride Goldberg no Graham Kuzinski yesini yes maze abstain more sorry she left Morrison no Patterson yes Havia I think you left Pierre Louis Pollock Abstain Roketta yes Saftage Shaw Sherwood yes Stella yes Strain Sumerville from us yes Vandervoert yes Walston yes Watkins yes Winberg Williams Abstain okay we're turning back to Burns I think he left um if there's anyone who is on representative Gilbride did she leave there's anyone who wants to vote and who hasn't now is the time okay closing the vote um Barbara can you read off the vote tally please we have 21 yes two no and six abstain thank you that passes um miss Corella I believe that you're on the people in the audience are clapping um Miss Corella if you would like to say a few words you can unmute yourself and speak okay miss Corella are you there?

All right all right Representative Fidelity go ahead um I'd like to make a motion to um take up transportation at this time is there a second well before could I just say something because public safety yes we're gonna go back all those in favor please say aye aye aye are there any opposed there any abstentions okay that passes unanimously um go ahead representative wadkin thank you thank you President Sherwood uh transportation committee met on Tuesday October 21st 7 p.m notes are on um uh votes and attendance minutes and video or online there were three items we took up uh item t thirty one point oh five two that's a resolution accepting an in-kind contribution from charter communications of advertising space at the Stamford train station approximate value of two hundred and seventy thousand dollars I I'd like that on um item two T thirty one point oh five one a resolution and public hearing for consideration of a new lease agreement with the state of Connecticut department transportation for

Item T31.052.

That's a resolution accepting an in-kind contribution from Charter Communications of Advertising Space at the Stamford train station.

Approximate value of 270,000.

I'd like that on.

Item 2, T31.051, a resolution and public hearing for consideration of a new lease agreement with the state of Connecticut Department of Transportation for a portion of Watchley Road.

I'd like that on consent.

And item three, T31.053 approval of a proposed contract with LAC parking for the management of the city's Bedford Street, Bell Street, and Summer Street garages.

That was approved by the Committee 400.

I'd like uh that on.

And I'd like to take up the uh consent agenda at this time.

Okay, there is a motion and a second.

All those in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Are there any opposed?

Are there any abstentions?

Those three items pass unanimously.

Go ahead, uh Representative Watkins.

Thank you.

Uh before I I um uh uh complete my my report just to say that uh um uh this will be the last uh transportation committee meeting.

Uh this will be uh my last meeting and uh there it is thank you so with that I conclude my my report and I'm afraid I'm gonna fade thank you very much all right very well thank you representative Watkins um and thank you Transportation Committee of the 31st Board of Representatives before I go to anybody else we obviously have technical difficulties Corella is uh told me she can't unmute herself.

She is on my phone.

Miss Corella, uh you can be heard at this time.

President Sherwood.

Um I just want to thank all of you who volunteer your time to make laws for the city and monitor the expenditures on behalf of the taxpayers.

I'm sorry, I have a cold, I'm losing my voice.

And represent the interests of citizens, it's a lot of work.

You're usually go unread.

Show up to do it time after time.

No better example than Representative Somerville.

I'd also like to thank the people of Stanford who speak up when they see wrongdoing and speak up to report good things.

They advocate for the neighborhoods, and they care enough to question people in power in 1978.

The late Stanford Advocate Reporter Tony Dolan won the Pulitzer Prize for local investigators reporting that cleaned up corruption in city government.

It was so rampant that Stanford had a national reputation as a city run by the cops of organized crime.

I got to know Tony 25 years after he won the polluta.

He told me that the people of Stanford gave him the information he needed, often at significant risk to themselves, and it was they, not he, who put a stop to the correction.

The involvement of citizens who question government is a sign of a healthy city.

I could not have done my job without them, and I could not be more grateful to them.

This resolution is for them, and I thank you for entering into your record.

Thank you so much.

Ums uh Corella, thank you for all your hard work.

Have a good night.

Um okay, going back to public safety and health committee.

Oh, sorry, Representative Rocketta, go ahead.

Thank you, President Sherwood.

Um I don't know if this is an order.

I'd like to make a motion to suspend the rules so that we could take up any ordinance regardless of committee that needs a quorum so we could um take a vote.

Okay.

Uh is there a second to that?

Second.

Um, all those in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Are there any opposed?

There are any abstentions.

That passes unanimously.

I'm gonna tell you guys I'm confused, and I think this is gonna take longer to do it this way, but um all right, that's done.

Uh parks and recreation committee item PR 31.050, Representative Matheny.

Go ahead.

Thank you, President Sherwood.

Uh parks and recreation committee met on Monday October 20th, 2025, 7 p.m.

by webinar, PR 31.050 ordinance for public hearing and final adoption regarding beach access.

I saw move.

Second.

Um second.

All those in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Are there any opposed?

Or any abstentions?

That passes unanimously.

Thank you, Representative Mitheney, Representative Roketta, HCD 31.088, item number one.

Thank you, thank you, Madam President.

HCD 31.088.

Item one ordinance for public hearing and final adoption amendment to code of ordinance ordinances, chapter 146, article five, section one four-six through six seven.

Creation of a commercial linkage affordable housing program from 10% to 15%.

And ISO move.

It was uh public hearing was held and approved by committee by a vote of 400 and ISO move.

Second.

Okay.

All those in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Are there any opposed?

Any abstentions that passes unanimously.

Okay, going back to public safety and health committee.

Go ahead, Representative Stella.

Thank you.

I just wanted to just say it's been eight years that I was public safety chair.

It's been a blessing, an honor to serve City of Stanford.

I also have to thank and acknowledge Eric.

Eric was my vice chair for eight years also.

And acknowledge the people that actually came to our meetings all the time.

And so I really am thank you.

I want to thank you.

And Virgil, I think you always dinner from because I think you have the longest item since 2021 on this board, and we're not even going to talk about the 30th.

So I think you owe us all dinner.

And again, thank you, everyone.

It's been a blessing knowing you guys.

So thank you, Representative Stella.

Thank you, Vice Chair Morrison.

Um, and thank you, Public Health and Safety Committee.

Parks and Recreation Committee, Representative Mithini, go ahead.

Thank you.

Continue continuing on with item number two, PR 31.041 review item.

New Leone Park, uh parking lot progress report made.

PR31.052 review EBARC E bikes in parks.

Uh report made and item number four, PR31.053 approval update to park regulations regarding wildlife.

Um and item number five, PR 31.054 was not taken up.

So move.

Okay, there's a motion and a second.

Uh for item PR 31.053.

All those in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Are there any opposed?

There are any abstentions.

Okay, that passed is unanimously.

Go ahead, Representative.

That concludes my report.

I just want to thank the parks and rec committee.

We know kept up with all the other committees.

We did over 50 items in the last four years, and I wanted to thank everybody for that.

Thank you.

Thank you, Rev Mathenee and the Parks and Recreation Committee.

Representative Boger.

Through you to uh Representative Mithini.

Why why was it item five not taken up, please?

The Parks and Rec Commission did not take it up.

Is that a prerequisite?

Yeah, they needed to approve it first.

Thank you.

Okay, education committee, Clerk Cotrell.

No meeting, no report.

Thank you for all the good work that the committee did over the years.

Thank you to my vice chair Ramiya Shaw.

And I'm glad to see you continuing the work on the 32nd.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Housing community development.

Oh, thank you, Education Committee of the 31st Board of Representatives and Chair Cotrell and Rome Shaw.

Go ahead, Representative Roketta.

Thank you.

The Housing Community Development Social Service Committee met on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, 630 p.m.

by webinar.

The only other item we had on our agenda was a review item, which was a review of the 2023 affordable housing mayoral executive order.

And the item was recommitted to steering, which was confusing because we knew this was the end of the term.

But that's what we did.

And want to thank everyone.

I want to thank my co-chair Mavina Moore and my committee for the last four years uh passing some really great things um that help our community to have not only more money in affordable housing, but to get a better understanding of things that were usually um people were confused about, including BMR and Pian Lu.

Uh I want to appreciate uh all those in the committee and everyone on this board who supported some of the things that we accomplish as a team.

And I am very happy to have met and worked with all of you here.

Thank you.

Thank you, Representative Roquetta and uh the 31st Board of Representatives Housing and Community Development and Social Services Committee.

Um State and Commerce Committee, there was no meeting, no report.

Thank you, Chair Pierre Louis and Vice Chair Ashley Lye and the uh 31st Board of Representative State and Commerce Committee.

Before we go to the minutes, I have an item for new business.

Um I just want to uh behalf of the board or in my capacity as president, um, and also on behalf of myself, thank Representative Fidelity for her 30 years of service.

Um she has been on this board since 1995.

Um cry too.

I just I just want to say um that representative uh Fidelie and I have not always seen eye to eye.

I know I'm such a baby.

It's crazy.

Um but I want to say that she's been such a pleasure to work with.

You really have.

We've we've disagreed, we fought.

Um, but you're a good person.

You really are.

Thank you for your service.

Um, so I just wanted to say that.

Um, I think representative um Morrison was first, and then Representative Somerville.

Thank you.

Uh I couldn't go without first agreeing with every single sentiment said with about my dear friend Annie Somerville.

So I love you.

Um I can't say can't go without saying something about David Watkins.

Uh the thing that comes to mind most about David Watkins is he's E.

F.

Hutton.

When he speaks, people listen.

And he is a tremendous loss to this board.

And I'm grateful for his service and his friendship and for him being for being able to serve with him.

And finally, to my dear friend Mary, my mentor, my friend, the true stalwart of bipartisanship to the point where there were no lines.

I uh I'm just so grateful for you.

And I'm gonna miss you.

Thank you.

Um, thank you, everyone.

I I uh truly enjoyed my time.

And Nina's right.

We ended up we didn't start off as um off well, but we ended well.

And um, we did it for the good of the board and the good of the citizens of Stanford, and that is what I will miss.

Um, but I'm sure I'll find something to do.

And I sure I'm not gonna miss getting home at 1 15.

So, but thank you to everyone, and good luck to everyone who's gonna continue to serve.

And it's been a pleasure to serve with the members of this board.

So thank you.

Okay.

Uh is there a motion to approve the October 6th regular board meeting minutes.

So move excuse me, Madam President.

I did have my hand raised.

Oh, I'm so sorry, Representative Goldberg, before we go to the minutes, representative Goldberg with an item for new business.

Uh yes, thank you for recognizing me, madam chairman.

Both yesterday and today, there was much to celebrate uh amongst us individually and collectively.

But I got a note this afternoon from my house of worship that reminded me that while those of us that are fortunate in celebrating, there are those that today is the third or fourth day of profound need and hunger.

That is something I intend to do tomorrow, and I hope that as many of you that can hear my voice will join me in making a contribution to the local food bank of your choice, and if you're so inclined, I'd encourage you to make it in honor of those of us that we've served with over the last four years as a way to thank them for their public service and as a way to express our solidarity with those that haven't been as fortunate as we have.

Thank you, madam president.

I yield.

Thank you, Representative Goldberg.

Is there um a motion to approve the October sixth minutes?

Is there okay?

Um discussion?

All those in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Are there any opposed?

Are there any abstentions?

Representative Sherwood abstains.

Representative Williams abstains.

Representative Williams abstains.

Uh and that passes unanimously.

And before I adjourn, I just want to thank the 31st Board of Representatives.

Um there's gonna be a lot of turnover, and I just want to say thank you to all the outgoing members.

Good luck to all the members who continue.

Um, this board did not always agree.

Um we fought like hell, and we stay here late at night all for the love of the city and the people.

And even if I didn't agree with you, I still rep I respect your passion.

And um I really, really believe that uh this board has done some absolutely tremendous work on so many different areas of city um life, and I just want to thank you all uh from my heart.

Thank you.

And um is there a motion to adjourn?

All right, there's there's a motion and a second.

All those in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Any opposed, any abstentions?

That passes unanimously.

Good night and good luck.

Thank you.

Good night, Nina.

Good night.

Time of adjournment.

1 08 a.m.

Yeah, we should wait.