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Record of Proceedings

Stamford Board of Representatives Appointments Committee Meeting - March 25, 2026

Board of Representatives — Wednesday, March 25, 2026
BodyStamford, Connecticut
SessionBoard of Representatives
DateWednesday, March 25, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:47:26

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:00

Okay, so welcome to this meeting of the 30 second Board of Representatives appointments committee.

0:05

I'm co-chair Felix Gardner.

0:07

The time is 6 3 PM.

0:12

And I call this meeting to order.

0:13

We have a quorum.

0:15

I'll quickly call the role.

0:18

We have Representative Bradford.

0:20

We have Representative Camborelli.

0:23

We have Representative Gardens myself.

0:26

We do not have Representative Hill.

0:28

We do not have Representative Hyatt.

0:30

We do not have Representative Pavio.

0:32

Representative Shaw is present.

0:34

Representative Weathers is excused.

0:37

And Representative Weinberg is present.

0:40

Okay.

0:41

So how is it going to work for our guests?

0:45

We are all here.

0:46

The meeting is recorded via Zoom from start to finish.

0:49

You're all welcome to stay or leave at any time after your interview is complete.

0:53

You can leave whenever you like.

1:01

So we're going to run down the list of interviews on in this order.

1:05

And then after that, we'll be able to take our votes.

1:06

You're welcome to stay for the votes.

1:07

You don't have to stay.

1:08

It's completely up to you.

1:10

When you take your interview, could you sit in this chair right here?

1:13

Because that's the best audio and video for the Zoom call.

1:16

People can see you best.

1:17

They can hear you best if you sit there.

1:21

I think that's it.

1:22

And then you're welcome to use our one of these sheets here.

1:25

This is the sort of just order of uh order of the agenda.

1:28

But these sheets here are for the board members with the uh personal information that we'll see these.

1:35

Okay, and then for the board of representative.

1:38

Yes, come on, sir.

1:44

Hello, are you here for the appointments committee?

1:50

Uh the dams.

1:51

Is there a dent's meeting tonight?

1:53

Is it uh it's probably in the cabinet?

1:55

Yeah, that's here.

1:55

It's probably on the other side.

1:56

On the other side.

1:58

I'll come.

1:59

Okay.

1:59

Thank you, Raman.

2:03

Okay, and for the committee members tonight, um, I would just like to say a little housekeeping thing.

2:08

If you want to ask a question, please raise your hand on Zoom or here in the room for Rhett Weinberg.

2:14

And um, and you'll be I'll make a note of your name and we'll get round to you.

2:17

We're gonna go in question order and we'll prioritize people who have not asked questions before, and uh also prioritize uh committee members over at exoficio members as well.

2:26

And I think just for uh to be respectful of our guest time and of our other committee members' time.

2:32

I'd like to ask people to refrain from asking questions with uh lots of follow-up questions and multi-part questions.

2:38

We want to stick to one question at a time, and if you'd like to ask a follow-up question, just raise your hand again, we'll go around the room and we'll come back round to you just so we can keep everything nice and efficient as possible.

2:49

Okay.

2:51

Uh okay, so we'll wait for Rep Weinberg to come back and then we will get started.

3:19

Mr.

3:20

Chair.

3:21

Yes, sir.

3:21

Yes, I've uh heard back from uh Representative Hill.

3:25

He's uh asked to be excused this evening.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Planning and Zoning█████████████████████████████████████████████48%
Procedural████████████████████21%
Housing██████6%
Parks and Recreation██████6%
Environmental Protection█████5%
Historic Preservation█████5%
Affordable Housing███3%
Community Engagement██2%
Cannabis Regulation██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Stamford Board of Representatives Appointments Committee Meeting

The Appointments Committee of the Stamford Board of Representatives met on March 25, 2026, at 6:03 PM, chaired by Co-Chair Felix Gardner, to interview and vote on seven appointments to city boards and commissions. The meeting was conducted via Zoom and was recorded. All candidates were approved unanimously by a 7-0-0 voice vote.

Interview and Discussion: Ashley Lai (Planning Board Alternate)

  • Originally agenda item #6, moved to first because of a prior commitment at 7:30 PM. Ashley Lai, a former Board of Representatives member and urban planner, was praised for her qualifications.
  • She discussed her experience as an alternate on the Environmental Protection Board and staying prepared. She highlighted her presentations on "Never Compromise Public Engagement" (adapting public outreach post-COVID) and "Tired to Triumphant: Reinventing Hamilton Avenue" in White Plains, noting lessons for Stamford—including pushing for more open space, larger sidewalks, and better tree survival.
  • Committee members expressed strong support.

Interview and Discussion: Larry Ginsburg (Board of Assessment Appeals)

  • Reappointment for a term expiring December 1, 2028. Larry Ginsburg, a lawyer with extensive city service, described handling appeals, including a rare challenge to his integrity.
  • He explained the appeal process for March and September sessions, the burden of proof on appellants, and procedures for those without evidence—such as allowing later document submission or sending an assessor to verify field card errors.
  • He emphasized treating all appellants with fairness and confidence.

Interview and Discussion: Jerry Bozak (Zoning Board)

  • Reappointment for a term expiring December 1, 2028. Jerry Bozak discussed balancing legally supportable decisions against public opposition, citing a historic house demolition in the South End and a controversial house of worship application.
  • He addressed questions about historic preservation (noting minimal fines and the need for state-level teeth), setbacks and greenery (agreeing that stronger standards could help), and forward-looking zoning—including cannabis dispensary caps (currently one per 25,000 residents, allowing up to five) and the need for a moratorium to study impacts.
  • He expressed support for deeply affordable housing and senior home retention.
  • Committee members praised his service and straight-shooter reputation.

Interview and Discussion: Keith Walker (Zoning Board)

  • New appointment for a term expiring December 1, 2027. Keith Walker, a real estate professional with 35 years of experience, had previously appeared before the committee 2.5 years ago and was not nominated. He returned to volunteer.
  • He outlined his guiding principle: asking applicants "What value would this bring to the town?" and emphasized that zoning should be guided by community interest, not politics.
  • He supports adaptive reuse over demolition and balanced development that preserves neighborhood character.
  • Committee members noted a more cordial atmosphere and expressed support.

Interview and Discussion: Chet Salit (Planning Board)

  • New appointment (upgrading from alternate to full member) for a term expiring December 1, 2026. Chet Salit, an architect with 45 years of experience, discussed the comprehensive plan and balancing growth with quality of life.
  • He addressed accessory dwelling units (ADUs), noting that Los Angeles' success stems from different tax structures (Proposition 13) and zoning, but saw potential for Stamford to create "missing middle" housing.
  • He advocated for preservation and thoughtful development.

Interview and Discussion: Drew McKay (Planning Board Alternate)

  • New alternate appointment for a term expiring December 1, 2027. Drew McKay, a construction manager, described her experience stepping into ongoing projects and her work on the Garvies Point development in Glen Cove, NY—a 60-acre brownfield site transformed into mixed-use with rental and condo units, a green roof, and open space.
  • She answered questions about environmental justice, pledging to advocate for green spaces in transit-oriented development and challenge developers to spend more on landscape architecture.
  • She emphasized thoughtful development that respects diverse neighborhood needs.

Interview and Discussion: Shriya Nadella (Parks and Recreation Commission)

  • New appointment for a term expiring December 1, 2028. Shriya Nadella, a product manager, identified top priorities as expanding community programming (partnering with local clubs) and increasing park usage.
  • She expressed personal opposition to artificial turf due to microplastics, advocating for natural surfaces, and supported merging park space with libraries to preserve green areas.
  • She acknowledged the need to learn about the recent merger of the parks and operations committees.

Key Outcomes

  • All seven candidates were approved unanimously (7-0-0) by voice vote.
  • Approved appointments:
    • Ashley Lai to the Planning Board (alternate), term expiring December 1, 2028.
    • Larry Ginsburg to the Board of Assessment Appeals, term expiring December 1, 2028.
    • Jerry Bozak to the Zoning Board (reappointment), term expiring December 1, 2028.
    • Keith Walker to the Zoning Board, term expiring December 1, 2027.
    • Chet Salit to the Planning Board, term expiring December 1, 2026.
    • Drew McKay to the Planning Board (alternate), term expiring December 1, 2027.
    • Shriya Nadella to the Parks and Recreation Commission, term expiring December 1, 2028.
  • The meeting was adjourned after the votes.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, so welcome to this meeting of the 30 second Board of Representatives appointments committee. I'm co-chair Felix Gardner. The time is 6 3 PM. And I call this meeting to order. We have a quorum. I'll quickly call the role. We have Representative Bradford. We have Representative Camborelli. We have Representative Gardens myself. We do not have Representative Hill. We do not have Representative Hyatt. We do not have Representative Pavio. Representative Shaw is present. Representative Weathers is excused. And Representative Weinberg is present. Okay. So how is it going to work for our guests? We are all here. The meeting is recorded via Zoom from start to finish. You're all welcome to stay or leave at any time after your interview is complete. You can leave whenever you like. So we're going to run down the list of interviews on in this order. And then after that, we'll be able to take our votes. You're welcome to stay for the votes. You don't have to stay. It's completely up to you. When you take your interview, could you sit in this chair right here? Because that's the best audio and video for the Zoom call. People can see you best. They can hear you best if you sit there. I think that's it. And then you're welcome to use our one of these sheets here. This is the sort of just order of uh order of the agenda. But these sheets here are for the board members with the uh personal information that we'll see these. Okay, and then for the board of representative. Yes, come on, sir. Hello, are you here for the appointments committee? Uh the dams. Is there a dent's meeting tonight? Is it uh it's probably in the cabinet? Yeah, that's here. It's probably on the other side. On the other side. I'll come. Okay. Thank you, Raman. Okay, and for the committee members tonight, um, I would just like to say a little housekeeping thing. If you want to ask a question, please raise your hand on Zoom or here in the room for Rhett Weinberg. And um, and you'll be I'll make a note of your name and we'll get round to you. We're gonna go in question order and we'll prioritize people who have not asked questions before, and uh also prioritize uh committee members over at exoficio members as well.

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