The Automatic Affairs Committee of the New Haven Board of Alders met in person Monday, Oct. 27, and voted to approve a slate of civic appointments and a reappointment affecting environment, housing, animal welfare and education.

Committee members moved and approved appointments for Michelle “Mish” Palmer and Youngn Kim to the Environmental Advisory Council (Kim as an alternate); Hope Vaughn to the Fair Rent Commission; Jonathan (Jonathan DeGardev / Riccaldi in the agenda) to the Humane Commission; Jacqueline Lorte to the Peace Commission; and the reappointment of Orlando Yarbrough to the New Haven Board of Education. Votes were taken by voice and the meeting record shows the motions carried with no recorded opposition or abstentions.

The appointments matter because the affected boards and commissions advise on city policy, tenant-landlord disputes, animal-shelter operations and K–12 school governance. Several speakers from the public and candidates described how their experience or advocacy work would connect to those responsibilities during the committee’s public-comment and candidate-question periods.

Michelle “Mish” Palmer, who gave her address for the record and described academic credentials and work experience, told the committee she has “devoted my life to environmental studies” and works with the Urban Resources Initiative. She said she would bring that background to “serve the people in New Haven using the skills that I have.” Committee members asked about meeting schedules and availability; Palmer confirmed she could attend the advisory council’s monthly meetings.

Youngn Kim described long-standing climate activism in New Haven and cited direct work with student programs and local campaigns. “I’ve been involved heavily with New Haven’s climate activism since I was in high school,” Kim said, and told the committee he supported park restoration, pesticide restrictions and projects addressing air quality in schools.

Public testimony accompanied several appointments. Multiple speakers — including Antonia Osborne and other members of a local coalition — spoke in support of the reappointment of Orlando Yarbrough to the Board of Education, praising his outreach to families and focus on student opportunities. Antonia Osborne said Yarbrough “has consistently distribute his commitment to our schools and our city for young people.” Gemma Joseph Lumpkin, who identified herself as chief of youth, family and community engagement for the school district, said of Yarbrough: “it is very important for us as leadership that supports families, that supports students, that support engagement… and doctor Yarbrough as president of the board guides the board through policy to make sure that we, as staff, are able to do that work.”

Supporters also spoke on behalf of Hope Vaughn’s appointment to the Fair Rent Commission. Neighbors and members of tenant organizations described Vaughn’s tenant-union work, saying she helps residents understand rent, eviction and tenant rights and that she would bring practical experience to the commission’s deliberations. Jonathan (the humane-commission candidate) described his volunteer, fostering and training work with rescue groups; speakers who knew him highlighted his experience with shelters and community outreach. Jacqueline Lorte described her background in parent leadership, life-skills work with youth and a commitment to attend commission meetings despite recent personal responsibilities; committee members discussed scheduling and child-care concerns during questioning but concluded Lorte had addressed attendance concerns.

Votes at a glance
- Michelle “Mish” Palmer — appointment to Environmental Advisory Council; motion moved and seconded; voice vote carried.
- Youngn Kim — appointment to Environmental Advisory Council (alternate); motion moved and seconded; voice vote carried.
- Hope Vaughn — appointment to Fair Rent Commission; motion moved and seconded; voice vote carried.
- Jonathan (DeGardev/Riccaldi) — appointment to Humane Commission; motion moved and seconded; voice vote carried.
- Jacqueline Lorte — appointment to Peace Commission; motion moved and seconded; voice vote carried.
- Orlando Yarbrough — reappointment to Board of Education (part of grouped reappointments); motion moved and seconded; voice vote carried.

Each motion was announced carried by the chair following the voice vote; the meeting transcript records no roll-call votes or recorded no-votes for these items.

Committee members and staff encouraged candidates and the public to consult the city website and the Office of Legislative Services for appointment charters and schedules. The committee adjourned after approving the agenda items and the slate of appointments.