New Castle County subcommittee interviews several advisory-board nominees; Council to vote next week

The New Castle County Boards and Commission Subcommittee met Jan. 20 to introduce nominees for several county advisory bodies and heard short remarks from candidates representing Claymont, Hockessin and other parts of the county. The subcommittee did not vote on any appointments; full Council votes are scheduled for next week.

Councilor Dee Durham, chair of the subcommittee, conducted roll call and opened the meeting with a brief agenda review. The panel unanimously approved the Nov. 18 minutes before starting introductions of nominees.

Bob Wasserbach, who reported speaking with the nominee in advance, told the panel Kent Saint Pierre was available by phone to discuss his background. On the call, Saint Pierre said, “My name is Kent Saint Pierre. Glad to speak to you all,” and offered to summarize his resume if members wished. Wasserbach told the subcommittee he had reviewed state code and county code with Saint Pierre during a preparatory meeting.

Two nominees for library advisory posts were introduced. Dee Durham named Julie Ann Brewer for the New Castle County Library Advisory Board in District 2 and Caitlin Britland for the Library Advisory Board in Mr. Toole’s district. Britland said she serves on the Friends of Kirkwood Library and described nonprofit and library experience, saying, “I’m excited for this opportunity.” The subcommittee recorded support and noted that votes on those appointments will occur at the regularly scheduled Council meeting next week.

Councilman John Cartier (introducing the Claymont nomination) praised Matthew Morris’s community work and said Morris would bring detailed perspective on land-use proposals related to the Claymont Hometown Overlay. Morris told the subcommittee he has spent “the past 9 years” organizing town halls and community work and cited advocacy on landlord-tenant code changes as a key effort.

Jana Kilpatrick and others introduced Neda Moktederi as a nominee to the Hockessin Design Review Advisory Committee. Moktederi said she is a historian and archivist, a more-than-10-year Hockessin resident and an active volunteer; she said she was “excited for the opportunity to serve.”

Tracy Chamley was presented as a nominee to the New Castle County Planning Board representing southern New Castle County. Chamley said she currently serves as a Southern New Castle representative on the PAC committee and told councilors she supports planning that addresses infrastructure and the effects of growth south of the canal. In response to questions about overdevelopment, Chamley said the issue “is starting to become that” and emphasized the need for better planning and infrastructure improvements.

Several nominees were not present on video but were listed on the agenda. Dee Durham noted the reappointment of Jean Herschner to the Historic Review Board and said Herschner is the executive director at Nemours; that reappointment will also be considered at next week’s Council meeting.

Toward the end of the meeting, Councilman Smiley moved to suspend a council rule that would otherwise require interview procedures for two new appointees so their nominations could advance at the full Council meeting without further interviews. The motion was seconded, the subcommittee voiced “Aye,” and the chair announced, “Motion carries.” No final appointment votes were taken during the subcommittee meeting.

There was no public comment recorded. The subcommittee adjourned after a motion to adjourn passed; the chair noted the meeting time at 03:00. Full Council will consider the listed appointments at its next regular meeting.