Appointments to boards, committees and commissions tend to make it through the City Council without much fuss. But on Monday night, an appointment request for the Newton Historical Commission set off a discussion on that commission’s makeup and purpose.

“All I can do is vote ‘no’ until I see more of an interest in getting people onto the Historical Commission, like we used to have, who had some kind of experience or background in historic preservation,” Councilor Julia Malakie said.

Mayor Ruthanne Fuller requested Scott Freedman of Waban and Travis Salters of Auburndale be appointed to the commission.

The commission consists of seven permanent members and seven alternate members, appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the City Council. One member must be nominated by the Newton Historical Society, one member must be a registered architect nominated by the Boston Society of Architects, and one must be a realtor nominated by the Newton Board of Realtors.

Freedman is already a member of the Historical Commission. He’s a realtor, but he’s being appointed as an at-large member (meaning he’s not being appointed to fill the realtor nomination requirement). He’s currently an associate member and wants to be appointed as a permanent member. Salters is an attorney looking to serve on the commission as an associate member.

So, what’s the problem?

“Mr. Freedman, as has been mentioned, is an alternate member now,” Malakie continued. “His appointment is good through March 30, 2028, so if we don’t approve him as a full member, we will still have his services.”

But Malakie said the commission is missing professionals with experience in architectural preservation. She mentioned [Historic Newton Board members] Peter Diamond and Jennifer Bentley as well as Amanda Stauffer-Park, “who, literally her day job was consulting on paints and surfaces, the nitty-gritty stuff.”

Malakie also mentioned that members Katie Kubie and John Rice are leaving the commission and said that others who have wanted to serve have not been nominated to do so, while member Nancy Grissom has still not been nominated for a new term.

“I think the city needs to do a better job of making sure people who do care about historic preservation are invited, or are indicated to that they’re welcome to apply,” Malakie said.

Lisle Baker, who chairs the Zoning and Planning Committee, said the mayor has indicated that she will bring Grissom for re-nomination soon, and he added that he’d vote to approve Freedman’s appointment because Freedman has been “appreciated for his service so far.”

Councilor Stephen Farrell said he was “pretty astounded” when planning officials said in committee that it’s difficult finding people to serve.

“We’re a town of 75,000 adults, and I don’t know what sort of effort we really make to encourage people to participate and make it interesting and exciting for them to participate,” Farrell said. “Several former members of the Historical Commission who would have liked to stay were not reappointed, were not even considered, and I think that has an influence on how other people feel about serving on commissions.”

Councilor Susan Albright noted that there’s a Historic Commission staff member who knows historic preservation and does project analysis and cautioned against holding up appointments for them.

“There are seven members now, and getting a quorum, which is four, is very difficult for the Historic Commission,” Albright said.

Councilor Vicki Danberg echoed that concern.

“Voting against someone who is a good candidate, who is willing to serve, willing to step up to the plate, is also a deterrent to other people,” Danberg said. “Word gets around that this body is refusing to vote ‘yes’ on candidates who are willing to step up to the plate.”

Freedman’s appointment was approved 17 to 4, with councilors absent.

Malakie and Farrell were joined by councilors Randy Block and Alan Lobovits in voting “no.”

Councilor Pam Wright argued that Salters, with his background in mergers and acquisitions and experience helping turn around whole neighborhoods, would be better suited for other boards including the Fair Housing Partnership, the Affordable Housing Trust, the Human Rights Commission and others.

“He did not request the Newton Historical Commission, but the mayor recommended him to the commission,” Wright said. “He did request the Auburndale Historic Commission, which is different from the Newton Historic Commission overseeing the whole city.”

Wright requested Salters’ nomination be postponed until Sept. 2, which the rest of the Council agreed to do.

You can watch Monday night’s City Council meeting on NewTV’s YouTube channel.