Somerville committee recommends three nominees to revive dormant Human Rights Commission

The Somerville City Council’s Committee on Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters on Feb. 5 recommended three nominees to fill vacancies on the city’s Human Rights Commission, a body the city says has not met quorum for several years.

The committee recommended confirmation of Jenny Bonham Carter and Lauren Chapman by unanimous roll calls and recommended Brian Sokol by a 4–1 vote. The recommendations will go to the full council for final confirmation at next Thursday’s council meeting.

The action matters because the Human Rights Commission, established in the Somerville Code of Ordinances, is charged with investigating complaints of unlawful discrimination, working with municipal departments and schools to increase compliance with local, state and federal law, and conducting public education on human-rights issues. Committee members repeatedly said filling the commission is intended to restore those functions.

Director Fleith of the city’s Office of Rights, Safety and Justice (RSJ) described the commission’s mission for the committee: "The Human Rights Commission... shall work towards mutual respect and understanding among all individuals and groups in the city of Somerville by improving the quality of public discourse and eliminating unlawful discrimination." Fleith also read…