GLASTONBURY ETHICS COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING OF MONDAY, MAY 22, 2006
MINUTES
The Glastonbury Ethics Commission held a Regular Meeting at 7:00 PM in Meeting Room A, Second Floor, Town Office Building located at 2155 Main Street, Glastonbury, Connecticut.
1) Roll Call
Present
Mr. Alan Spier, Chairman
Ms. Nancy Thomas, Vice Chairman/Secretary
Ms. Angela Bull
Mr. Patrick Treacy
Mr. Reginald Babcock, Alternate
Excused
Ms. Alexandrina Sergio
Alternate Member Vacancy
Chairman Spier seated Commissioner Babcock in place of Commissioner Sergio. Without objection, he said they would handle item 2 at the end as item 7 since the town attorney would not be attending.
2. New Business
A. Consideration of changes in the Town’s Code of Ethics
Chairman Spier reminded the other members that they have occasionally discussed potential changes to the code as they have come up. He said that it would be helpful to have the decision from the pending litigation prior to formally discussing changes for the Town Council to consider for the Code of Ethics. He asked the other members to think of any such changes for discussion at their meeting in June. He mentioned a few he had in mind such as correcting a statute reference, clarification of a statement regarding the public being able to request advisory opinions, use of the verbiage “inquiry” and “complaint” and the subject of inquiries being former staff and not only current staff. He said that the question had come up during litigation about whether their procedures are
narrower than the code itself, and therefore, not in compliance.
Vice Chairman Thomas reminded the other members that they also had questions about the qualifications of a member, specifically their involvement in a variety of other civic activities. Commissioner Babcock raised the conflict of their requirement for employees to get ethics training and the requirement that there is ethics training for officials but seemingly no real requirement that those officials take advantage of the ethics training. Chairman Spier asked everyone to make him aware of any changes to the Code they should discuss for the meeting to be held in June. He continued saying that they, as a Commission, can make a recommendation of changes for the Town Council to consider.
B. Consideration of changes in the Commission’s schedule of meetings
Chairman Spier said that they held their last meeting in February and the meetings scheduled for March and April were cancelled due to lack of business. He emphasized that he did not particularly care to cancel meetings and preferred to hold their scheduled meetings. He said that they have business for the meeting in June but that they may want to consider quarterly meetings. Commissioner Treacy said that may be a good idea to consider in the future. Vice Chairman Thomas questioned whether they should consider holding meetings when business comes up. Chairman Spier said that he felt there was more flexibility with regularly scheduled meetings since they can add items to the agenda. Commissioner Treacy liked the idea of the greater public notice associated with regularly scheduled
meetings.
Report of the Chair
Chairman Spier informed the Commission that he had the occasion to ask the Town Manager about their vacancy and got the impression that it would not be filled anytime soon.
4. Report of Committees
A. Town Ethics Training Program – Commissioner Babcock
Commissioner Babcock distributed and reviewed a draft of the procedures he and Commissioner Sergio propose be adopted by the Commission. He noted that the main change is that they would bring ethics training to the boards and commissions governed by legislative regulations in even numbered years and in the odd numbered years, one or two evening workshops would be offered for all other boards and commissions. He said that the town attorney would do the training and suggested a member from their Commission attend. He continued saying that the Town Manager would appoint staff to track the sessions and attendance at the sessions. Vice Chairman Thomas volunteered to be the contact for the town attorney for the sessions. In review of the draft, she noted that she liked the idea of a plan
language guide but understood the difficulties in getting the task accomplished. A consensus was reached to remove the two bullet items referring to the plain language guide from the draft and date it, May 22, 2006.
Motion By: Commissioner Treacy Seconded: Commissioner Thomas
MOVED, that the Ethics Commission approve the Draft of proposed procedures for training and education dated May 22, 2006, striking the two bullets with language referring to a “plain language guide”.
Result: Motion passes unanimously. (5-0-0)
Chairman Spier asked Commissioner Babcock to present the Commission with the approved document at their next meeting in June.
5. Reading of Communications None
6. Reading and Approval of Minutes of Meetings February 27, 2006
Motion By: Commissioner Bull Seconded: Commissioner Sergio
MOVED, that the Ethics Commission accept the minutes presented for the Regular Meeting held February 27, 2006, with the following changes-
i. Page 1, last line, change “constitutes” to “may constitute”
ii. Page 2, last paragraph, 8th line, insert comma between “meeting” and “questioning”
Result: Motion passes unanimously. (5-0-0)
Confidential Session Regarding Pending Litigation –
Attorney Morgan Rueckert of Shipman & Goodwin
Motion By: Commissioner Babcock Seconded: Commissioner Treacy
MOVED, that the Ethics Commission change item 7 to read as follows: “Executive Session – Strategies and Negotiations with respect to pending litigation.”
Result: Motion passes unanimously. (5-0-0)
7. Executive Session –
Strategies and Negotiations with Respect to Pending Litigation.
Motion By: Vice Chairman Thomas Seconded: Commissioner Bull
MOVED, that the Ethics Commission go into executive session at 8:12 p.m. for the purpose of discussing strategies and negotiations with respect to pending litigation.
Result: Motion passes unanimously. (5-0-0)
Present for the executive session were Ethics Commission members Alan Spier, Nancy Thomas, Angela Bull, Patrick Treacy and Reginald Babcock. No action was taken during the executive session. With no further business, they reached consensus to come out of executive session at 8:50 p.m..
8. Adjournment
Motion By: Commissioner Treacy Seconded: Vice Chairman Thomas
MOVED, that the Ethics Commission adjourns their regular meeting of May 22, 2006, at
8:51 p.m..
Result: Motion passes unanimously. (5-0-0)
Respectfully Submitted,
Kimberly Meanix Miller
Kimberly Meanix Miller
Transcribing Clerk
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