Appointments Committee Meeting – February 25, 2026

The Appointments Committee of the Stamford Board of Representatives met on February 25, 2026, at 5:30 PM to interview candidates for reappointment or new appointment to various city boards and commissions. The meeting lasted over four hours and included nine agenda items, followed by votes on each.

Discussion Items

1. Golf Commission – Michael Briscoe (Reappointment)

Michael Briscoe, current golf commissioner, discussed the recent course redesign at Hubbard Heights, which reoriented holes to improve safety (e.g., redirecting balls away from parking lots). He noted the irrigation system needs upgrading, with a preliminary cost estimate of $1.6 million. Briscoe highlighted his background in civil engineering as an asset for overseeing that project. He also mentioned a growing junior program that is turning away children and proposed a club donation initiative to reduce equipment costs for new golfers. He expressed strong support for making golf more accessible to inner-city youth.

2. Golf Commission – Susan Flynn (New Applicant)

Susan Flynn, a golfer and former COO of the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich, shared her vision for improving facilities at the course, particularly locker rooms and check-in areas. She committed to starting a club giveaway program and developing collaborations with private clubs to provide access for underprivileged youth and adults. She emphasized the importance of workforce housing for city employees and expressed a desire to see more affordable units.

3. Stamford Golf Authority – Gina White (New Applicant)

Gina White, a 25-year resident and member of women's golf associations at both Sterling Farms and Hubbard Heights, applied for the Golf Authority. She cited a passion for the sport and a desire to give back to the community. Her priorities include improving tee time access (noting high demand), upgrading women's bathrooms, and increasing youth participation. She acknowledged she needs to learn the specific role of the Authority versus the Commission.

4. Zoning Board of Appeals – George Dallas (Reappointment)

George Dallas discussed the quasi-judicial nature of the ZBA, emphasizing that variances are evaluated based on strict regulations and neighbor input. He cited a case involving a Dunkin' Donuts drive-through where the board decided that a previous bank's drive-through approval did not transfer to the new use. He noted that a variance is a variance regardless of commercial or residential context, and that the board looks for alternatives before granting relief. He shared that the board has a diverse membership and takes neighbor opposition seriously.

5. Board of Assessment Appeals – Daniel Axe (Reappointment)

Daniel Axe, a real estate investor and licensed agent for 20 years, explained that the board deals with property valuation appeals, mostly during revaluation periods. He described how technology (e.g., Vision databases) has reduced disputes over property characteristics, but revaluations still generate many appeals. He highlighted that comparable sales must be local, and that board members often visit properties personally to assess conditions. He touched on the need for public education about the appeals process and the possibility of delaying revaluation if overwhelming appeals are filed.

6. Board of Ethics – Dennis Torres (Reappointment)

Dennis Torres, who teaches ethics at the university level, discussed the board's role in providing advisory opinions and investigating potential code violations. He noted that the code of ethics is not about morals but about applying rules to specific facts. He emphasized that the board has rebuilt trust after a contentious period, and that most people seek guidance to avoid unintentional violations. He acknowledged the code is primarily financial but also covers influence. He saw increasing requests for opinions as a sign of growing confidence.

7. Zoning Board – Roseanne McManus (Reappointment)

Roseanne McManus, a longtime zoning board member, touched on many issues: the board's need to approve projects that meet regulations even if unpopular; the value of fee-in-lieu contributions for affordable housing (though she prefers on-site BMRs); the importance of preserving historic buildings; and the need for more trees and green space. She discussed the 2035 comprehensive plan's environmental goals and advocated for stricter tree preservation ordinances. On affordable housing, she noted that the board increased inclusionary zoning requirements in the South End to 12–14%. She also mentioned that most new apartment buildings generate few schoolchildren.

8. Zoning Board – David Stein (Reappointment)

David Stein, chair of the zoning board, provided encyclopedic knowledge on zoning regulations. He discussed inclusionary zoning, the affordable housing trust fund, and the balance between on-site BMR units and fee-in-lieu payments. He expressed support for workforce housing (housing affordable to teachers, firefighters, etc.) but noted legal barriers to restricting units to city employees only. He detailed recent environmental initiatives: street tree requirements, electric vehicle charging spaces, publicly accessible amenity spaces (including trails), and a sustainability scorecard for buildings. He also addressed the possibility of rezoning mixed-use areas to reduce commercial impacts on residents, though cautioned against making properties non-conforming. He responded to questions about cluster homes, clarifying that they do not allow denser development than underlying zoning.

9. Zoning Board Alternate – Peter Rustin (New Applicant)

Peter Rustin, an attorney with 44 years of experience, including real property litigation, applied for an alternate member position. He acknowledged he has much to learn but cited his legal training in applying rules to facts as relevant. He expressed support for historic preservation and deeply affordable housing, and stated his desire to contribute to the community.

Key Outcomes

All appointments were approved by the committee with the following votes:

• Michael Briscoe (Golf Commission): Approved unanimously (voice vote, no opposition recorded).
• Susan Flynn (Golf Commission): Approved unanimously.
• Gina White (Golf Authority): Approved 8–1.
• George Dallas (Zoning Board of Appeals): Approved unanimously.
• Daniel Axe (Board of Assessment Appeals): Approved unanimously.
• Dennis Torres (Board of Ethics): Approved 8–1.
• Roseanne McManus (Zoning Board): Approved 8–0–1 (one abstention).
• David Stein (Zoning Board): Approved 7–0–2 (two abstentions).
• Peter Rustin (Zoning Board Alternate): Approved 9–0.

The abstentions and no votes were based on concerns expressed by committee members about workforce housing definitions and the need for further discussion with the nominees. All approved appointments will be forwarded to the full Board of Representatives for final confirmation.