Reps to consider both nominees
Two Stamford Board of Finance candidates still in the running
STAMFORD — One of two nominees for an important Board of Finance seat has been interviewed and the other — who at first was refused — will be interviewed before the year is out.
Political party practices and rules governing the Board of Representatives, which must approve candidates for vacancies on elected bodies, have created controversy over an open Republican seat on the finance board.
Representatives earlier this month voted down Josh Esses, a political newcomer nominated by an individual board Republican, and advanced Frank Cerasoli, an experienced elected official nominated by the board’s Republican caucus.
But last week representatives on the board’s Appointments Committee interviewed Cerasoli, then voted to meet again Dec. 30 to interview Esses. It means that the full board may choose between Esses and Cerasoli when it meets Jan. 6.
Cerasoli made a strong case for himself during his interview Dec. 18.
He works as an actuary, someone who uses mathematics and statistics to analyze financial risk, Cerasoli told the members of the Appointments Committee, so he understands things the finance board tackles, such as budgets, insurance plans and pension programs.
He served on the Board of Representatives for nine years, and for six of them he was a member of the Fiscal Committee, Cerasoli said. He is alarmed by the escalating costs of pensions and retirement benefits for
city employees, and thinks the city must find ways to fund improvements of roads, buildings, computer systems, trucks and other equipment.
“I have heard all the departments describe their needs that go unmet year after year,” Cerasoli said.
For the last two years he has been a member of the Board of Education. The costs of special education are consuming an evergreater percentage of resources and must be addressed, he said.
Because of his background, he is enthusiastic about the possibility of switching from the school board to the finance board, Cerasoli said. Finance has fewer meetings, which makes things easier on his work schedule, he said.
A native of Queens, N.Y., Cerasoli said he has lived in Stamford for 24 years and enjoys being a volunteer on its elected boards.
“I think Stamford is the jewel of Connecticut,” he said. “It has a lot of potential.”
When representatives asked him about his party affiliation, he said he was a Republican even as a young man serving in the Peace Corps.
“I was a highschool level math teacher in Cameroon, West Africa,” he said. “I think I was the only Republican in the Peace Corps.”
He’s attracted to certain Republican ideals, he added.
“I’m a numbers person,” he said. “I like to look at things logically. I believe in smaller, more efficient government. I’m not as concerned with other issues.”
Rep. Megan Cottrell, D4, asked whether he’s ever taken a stance against the city administration in his roles as an elected official.
“It’s never bothered me to stand alone and defend my view,” Cerasoli replied.
Asked about the Steering Committee’s decision to advance one nominee and not the other, Cerasoli said that is a matter for the board to work out.
This is what happened:
Finance board member Sal Gabriele, in the middle of his second term, stepped down Dec. 1 because of work commitments.
Since Gabriele is a Republican, a Republican must serve the remainder of his term. The sixmember board includes four Democrats and one unaffiliated member, so Cerasoli or Esses will be the only Republican. The powerful board cuts budgets, makes special funding appropriations, decides debt limits, sets the tax rate, and otherwise determines how taxpayers’ money is spent.
A Republican on the Board of Representatives, believing the rules allow him to put a name forward, nominated Esses. Stamford’s Republican Town Committee endorsed Esses, though they did not interview him.
Members of the Board of Representatives’ Republican caucus interviewed Cerasoli and Esses and choose to nominate Cerasoli.
But Rep. Annie Summerville, D6, who heads the board’s Appointments Committee, agreed to interview both candidates and asked that they be placed on her agenda. Because of the holidays, her meeting was set for Dec. 18 instead of the preordained Dec. 30, making it a “special” meeting under board rules.
Agendas must go through the Steering Committee, which earlier in December voted to advance Cerasoli but not Esses.
Esses, an attorney, demanded an interview after analyzing board rules and determining that Steering had violated them.
Board President Matt Quinones, D16, clarified the rules for his members and laid out the paths by which Esses may be considered for the vacant seat.
Because the Steering Committee did not approve Esses, Summerville’s Appointments Committee on Dec. 18 could not interview him along with Cerasoli. The committee could not add Esses to its agenda under constraints governing “special” meetings.
Summerville’s committee then voted 52 to meet again Dec. 30 and put Esses on the agenda. If they interview Esses, he can join Cerasoli for consideration by the full board on Jan. 6.
It’s a mess.
Members of the Appointments Committee told Summerville they are upset that her request to consider both nominees from the getgo was not honored by the Steering Committee.
“I’m concerned,” Rep. Raven Matherne, D19, told Summerville, “that Steering was disrespectful to you as chair of this committee.”
Summerville, a 40year board veteran, acknowledged the confusion.
“It’s hard,” she said. “But we will get it together.”
One of two nominees for an important Board of Finance seat has been interviewed and the other — who at first was refused — will be interviewed before the year is out.