GLASTONBURY ETHICS COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2005
The Glastonbury Ethics Commission held a Regular Meeting at 7:00 PM in Meeting Room A on the second floor of the Town Hall located at 2155 Main Street, Glastonbury, Connecticut.
1. Roll Call
Commission Members Present
Ms. Alexandrina Sergio, Chairman
Mr. Alan Spier
Ms. Nancy Thomas
Mr. Patrick Treacy
Excused
Mr. William Paetzold, Vice-Chairman/Secretary
Mr. Reginald Babcock, Alternate
{Alternate Seat Vacant}
2. Acceptance of Minutes, October 25, 2005
Motion By: Commissioner Spier Seconded: Commissioner Thomas
MOVED, that the Ethics Commission accept the minutes as presented for the Regular Meeting held October 25, 2005.
Result: Motion passes unanimously. (4-0-0)
3. Communications
Chairman Sergio noted the request made at the last regular meeting that they again receive an opinion from the town attorney on the appropriate verbiage for their sessions closed to the public, for review of material that should be kept confidential. She conveyed that the decision from the town attorney confirmed that they should be calling them “confidential sessions pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes 7.148h and 1-82a”.
4. Report on Status of Inquiry Process
Commissioner Spier stated that they met Monday evening with the town attorney and those Members that had not recused themselves and are currently trying to schedule another meeting.
5. Acceptance of Amendments to Minutes of 9/13/04; 10/25/04; 12/13/04; 1/10/05; 2/28/05 {Copies Attached}
Chairman Sergio informed the other Members that FOI has required that minutes be filed for the closed meetings held for the dates noted above.
Motion By: Commissioner Treacy Seconded: Commissioner Thomas
MOVED, that the Ethics Commission accept the amendments to the minutes for the Regular Meeting held September 13, 2004, as presented.
Result: Motion passes unanimously. (4-0-0)
Motion By: Commissioner Spier Seconded: Commissioner Treacy
MOVED, that the Ethics Commission accept the amendments to the minutes for the Regular Meeting held October 25, 2004, as presented.
Result: Motion passes unanimously. (4-0-0)
Motion By: Commissioner Spier Seconded: Commissioner Treacy
MOVED, that the Ethics Commission accept the amendments to the minutes for the Regular Meeting held December 13, 2004 as presented.
Result: Motion passes unanimously. (3-0-1)
For: Chairman Sergio and Commissioner Spier and Treacy
Against: None
Abstain: Commissioner Thomas {may have been excused}
Motion By: Commissioner Spier Seconded: Commissioner Thomas
MOVED, that the Ethics Commission accept the amendments to the minutes for the Regular Meeting held January 10, 2005, as presented.
Result: Motion passes unanimously. (4-0-0)
Motion By: Commissioner Spier Seconded: Commissioner Thomas
MOVED, that the Ethics Commission accept the amendments to the minutes for the Regular Meeting held February 28, 2005, as presented.
Result: Motion passes unanimously. (4-0-0)
6. Consideration of amendment to procedures, Section 4-1 {copy attached}
Chairman Sergio stated that they had originally decided that without the help of staff, they should determine as a Commission, in a closed session, whether or not the communications they received were of the nature to require confidentiality. She stated that they have since learned that this will have to be part of the job of the Chairman or Vice Chairman and suggested they strike the penultimate sentence from the Procedures Section 4-1.
Motion By: Commissioner Spier Seconded: Commissioner Thomas
MOVED, that the Ethics Commission strike the penultimate sentence from their Procedures Section 4-1.
Result: Motion passes unanimously. (4-0-0)
7. Other Business
Chairman Sergio noted that terms end for a few of the Members and an appointment may not be included in the Council agenda of November 22, 2005. Commissioner Spier expressed concern for the resulting potential lack of a quorum for the subset of the Commission that is reviewing the current inquiry request. Chairman Sergio continued saying that the Council’s next meeting is December 13, 2005, a day after this Commission’s next regularly scheduled meeting. She stated that they may cancel their December meeting if they don’t resolve the appointments by that time.
Chairman Sergio stated that another matter handled by FOI, docket #2004-406, is the matter of e-mail communications. She stated that she felt the hearing officer was understanding that the Commissioners were acting as staff in the creation of forms and procedures. She said that staff e-mails would not be subject to FOI but given that they were Commission members, the e-mail communications were determined to constitute meetings which then require that minutes be filed. She presented 89 pages of e-mails separated by subject with a cover sheet.
Motion By: Commissioner Spier Seconded: Commissioner Treacy.
MOVED, that the Ethics Commission adopt the presentation of these e-mail messages divided by subject and including a cover page as representing the substance of the communications as minutes.
Result: Motion passes unanimously. (4-0-0)
Chairman Sergio noted that this is the last regular meeting of this Commission and said she was proud of the work they had done. She said that they have an elegant procedures document that will serve this Commission well in the future. She praised Vice Chairman Paetzold calling him a very valuable part of this Commission, good natured and generous of spirit. She also noted that she liked to get things started and while she hoped for another project to focus on, she would not seek another term as Chairman. Commissioner Spier thanked her for her service. Commissioner Thomas said working with Chairman Sergio had been terrific, she had done a good job and starting this Commission was a hard thing to do.
8. Adjournment
Motion By: Commissioner Spier Seconded: Commissioner Thomas
MOVED, that the Ethics Commission adjourn its Regular Meeting of
November 14, 2005, at 7:50 PM. (4-0-0)
Result: Motion passes unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kimberly Meanix Miller
Kimberly Meanix Miller
Recording Clerk
Attachments:
Amendments to minutes of 9/13/04; 10/25/04; 12/13/04;
1/10/05; 2/28/05.
Procedures Section 4-1 as presented for action November 14, 2005
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