Politics & Government

P&Z Elects First Woman Chair

Ann Altman is the first woman in the town's history to be elected to the position of Planning and Zoning chairman.

The Planning and Zoning Commission Tuesday made town history when it elected its first female chairman.

Vice chairman Ann Altman was elected to replace the departed Joseph McDonagh, who announced he would leave the commission when his term expired. 

Altman's replacement for vice-chairman, Brack Poitier, represents another first -- the first African-American to hold a chairmanship on the commission. 

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"I am very excited that Hamden has, for the first time, a woman as Chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission," she said.  "Brack Poitier's election as Vice Chair also represents an important milestone for the Commission.  

"I am very grateful to my colleagues and to members of the administration and staff," Altman said, "whose efforts led to the remarkable results of tonight's election of officers."

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Altman has served on the commission for six years and before that represented the Fifth District on the Legislative Council. 

That background has given her "endless experience on how meetings should run under Robert's Rules of Order," she said. Under her leadership, the commission will exhibit total transparency, she said.

"I've known Ann a long time and she is always prepared and has very good ideas and suggestions," said member Lee Campo, who nominated Altman. "I think she will be a very good chairman."

"I've been on both sides of this table," said Commissioner Ryszrd Szczypek, "and I've always felt that Dr. Altman has done a very, very good job."

Altman earned a PhD in molecular biophysics and biochemistry from Yale University. She has published four books and edited countless others. She also does consulting work with the government of Mongolia as it works to form democratic municipal governments.

"It is a tremendous honor to be the first woman chairman of the commission and I will do my best to live up to this honor," she said.

 

 


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