Board of Alders confirms slate of appointments to New Haven advisory boards and commissions

The New Haven Board of Alders approved a slate of appointments to city advisory boards and commissions during its meeting; the aldermen confirmed applicants for panels that advise city departments on housing, homelessness, transit, food policy, animal welfare and youth services.

The approvals included new members named to the Development Commission, Commission on Equal Opportunities, Homeless Advisory Commission, Greater New Haven Transit District board, the Food Policy Council, the Humane Commission, the Livable City Initiative board, the Youth Commission and the Board of Zoning Appeals. Most motions were adopted by voice vote with no recorded opposition noted in the transcript.

The appointments matter because the commissions and advisory groups advise the mayor’s office and city departments on planning, housing, public-health-related food policy, animal issues and programs that affect people experiencing homelessness. Several applicants described direct experience with the issues their panels address — for example, two people appointed to the Homeless Advisory Commission described ongoing outreach and service work with people without housing.

Those confirmed included Tashawn (TySean) Walker and Rebecca Weiner to the Development Commission. Walker told the aldermen he is a former restaurant owner and small-business operator and said, “I understand the needs and challenges … small business owners experience,” and that he hopes…