The Zoning and Planning Committee approved four nominations to city advisory commissions and will forward them to the full City Council for final confirmation.

The committee advanced appointments to the Economic Development Commission, the city
dvisory commission on decarbonization and housing asset planning, and two advisory commissions tied to the city
ds climate and building policies. Committee members questioned nominees on development experience, potential conflicts of interest and prior project work before taking each vote.

Why it matters: The appointments will shape how Newton implements economic development priorities, building decarbonization efforts and the city
ds newly created climate-related advisory bodies. Committee confirmation sends nominees to a council vote; the city manager and council guidance will determine whether nominees assume roles that advise ordinance implementation and program rollouts.

Committee discussion and outcome
- Andrew (listed on the agenda as "Andrew Capalati") introduced himself and described 35 years in construction and real-estate development, including work on large mixed-use projects. Committee members pressed him on commercial development prospects in Newton, potential conflicts of interest and recusal procedures. He told the committee he would recuse himself from matters that directly affected projects his firm had an active role in. Councilor Kalis moved approval; the committee recorded a majority vote in favor and advanced the nomination to the full council. The committee counted a mix of yeses, one no and an abstention during the tally; the appointment will next go to the full council for final confirmation.

- David Edison (agenda listed the item as "David Hennison") described decades of public housing and asset-management experience; he told the committee his team has run capital-asset advisory work for about 10,000 units and has managed decarbonization pilot grants. Committee members asked about alignment with local implementation; Councilor Baker moved approval and the committee voted unanimously to forward the appointment.

- Mark Clay, who described a career in building operations and building retrofits, told the committee he supports carbon-neutral goals and offered building-level experience from prior work. Committee members asked about past work converting older systems and about equity concerns. The committee voted unanimously to advance the nomination.

- Dante Capasso said his family real-estate firm owns and manages apartments and commercial properties in Newton; councilors praised his long involvement advising on the draft ordinance he will help implement. Councilor Princeman moved approval; the committee voted unanimously to forward the nomination.

Votes at a glance
- Appointment of Andrew (agenda: Capalati; nominee introduction: Capalani) to the Economic Development Commission — motion to approve moved by Councilor Kalis; committee vote: majority in favor (motion forwarded to full City Council for final confirmation).
- Appointment of David Edison (agenda: Hennison) to the capital-asset / decarbonization advisory group — motion to approve moved by Councilor Baker; committee vote: 7-0 (forwarded to full City Council).
- Appointment of Mark Clay to the Berto advisory commission — motion to approve; committee vote: 7-0 (forwarded to full City Council).
- Appointment of Dante Capasso to the Diverso/Diverdo advisory commission — motion to approve moved by Councilor Princeman; committee vote: 7-0 (forwarded to full City Council).

Next steps: Each appointment will be considered by the full City Council at its next meeting; nominees were invited to attend that meeting.

Ending: The committee
ds next agenda items moved to a discussion of inclusionary zoning policy revisions and design/zoning details for residential facades.