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 to bring that background to the commission. Weiner, a long-time New Haven resident, said she had been “auditing” commission meetings and was impressed by commissioners’ push for earlier staff distribution of plans so the commission could weigh in.

The Board also approved applicants to the Commission on Equal Opportunities, including Jesse Campbell, Logan Johnson and Christiana (Christiana/Christiana) White. Campbell said he planned to use the role to help residents know and protect their civil rights and described himself as a youth advocate.

A pair of appointments to the Homeless Advisory Commission drew attention to on-the-ground outreach: Marcus T. Harvin described food-rescue work through his nonprofit and outreach to shelters, and Eric Mastarani Sr. (appearing in the transcript as Eric Mastarani / Eric Mastar—recorded as a veteran and local volunteer) described personal experience with homelessness and volunteer work helping veterans and connecting individuals to services. Both were approved.

Other confirmed assignments included Christopher Irby to the Greater New Haven Transit District board of directors; Deneen Mercer to the Food Policy Council; Ridley Lee Whitney Gates (listed in the motion) to the Humane Commission; Lana Harrison to the Livable City Initiative board; Xandra (Cassandra/Xandra) Diaz to the Youth Commission; and Gaston Hempel to the Board of Zoning Appeals. The Board also approved several reappointments noted in the agenda items (the motion references reappointments and specific item numbers).

Most applicants spoke briefly to explain their interest and relevant experience. Several candidates said they had reviewed minutes or attended meetings before applying. Aldermen who moved the motions generally described the candidates’ backgrounds as “complementary” or “well-qualified.” The transcript shows motions moved and seconded and voice votes taken; no roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript.

Votes at a glance

- Order (LM20250443): Approve appointment of TySean (Tashawn) Walker to the Development Commission — approved by voice vote.
- Order (LM20250405): Approve appointment of Rebecca Weiner to the Development Commission — approved by voice vote.
- Order (LM20250394 and related items): Approve Jesse Campbell, Logan Johnson and Christiana White to the Commission on Equal Opportunities — approved by voice vote.
- Order (item 7): Approve appointment of Deneen Mercer to the Food Policy Council — approved by voice vote.
- Order (item 8): Approve appointment of Christopher Irby to the Greater New Haven Transit District board — approved by voice vote.
- Orders (items 9 and 10): Approve Marcus T. Harvin and Eric Mastarani Sr. to the Homeless Advisory Commission — approved by voice vote.
- Order (item 11): Approve Ridley Lee Whitney Gates to the Humane Commission — approved by voice vote.
- Order (item 12): Approve Lana Harrison to the Livable City Initiative board — approved by voice vote.
- Order (item 14): Approve Xandra (Cassandra) Diaz to the Youth Commission — approved by voice vote.
- Order (item 15): Approve Gaston Hempel to the Board of Zoning Appeals — approved by voice vote.
- Additional reappointments referenced in motions (items 16, 17, 18 and others) were moved and carried during the meeting; specific item numbers and reappointment names are recorded in the legislative file referenced on the agenda.

The public portion of the meeting was closed after aldermen asked whether anyone in the audience wished to testify for the nominees; none did. Several aldermen and the chair encouraged new members to consult commission minutes and to contact the staff liaison (referred to in the meeting as “Misty”) or the appropriate department directors to coordinate participation. The meeting record on file with Legislative Services will include the formal orders and the city clerk’s minutes for anyone seeking the official document numbers and recorded roll-call results.

Ending

With the motions carried, the newly confirmed members may begin participating in their respective panels as directed by each commission’s rules and the mayor’s appointments process. The transcript and legislative-file references noted in the meeting are available from the Office of Legislative Services for anyone who needs the formal order texts, LM item numbers, or the official minutes.