The Programs and Services Committee voted to hold the mayoral nomination of Ellen Penso to the Newton Council on Aging after members said the nominee could not attend committee hearings in October or November.

Chair Pat Prince told the committee that the appointment would automatically take effect under the statutory 60‑day rule unless the council acts to approve or reject it first. "If this appointment is not approved within 60 days or acted upon, it goes through," Prince said. Committee members discussed options including asking the mayor to withdraw and resubmit the appointment, conducting a short virtual interview, individual councilors calling the nominee, or holding the matter to a later meeting.

Several members urged an in‑person or at least a direct public interaction with the nominee. Councilors said holding the docket item to the next committee meeting would allow members to contact the nominee and assemble any questions before a full‑council consideration. Chair Prince proposed placing Penso on the next Programs & Services agenda; the committee then took a voice vote to hold the appointment.

The chair announced the result as a 6‑0 voice vote to hold the nomination and said the committee clerk would circulate the nominee’s contact information to members. The committee did not take any action to approve or reject the appointment, and the option to let the appointment become effective by operation of law remains in place if no further action occurs within the statutory deadline.

The committee’s action was procedural; members said they intend to use the hold period to gather information and, if necessary, call the nominee prior to any full‑council vote.