GLASTONBURY ETHICS COMMISSION
MEETING OF MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 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 Chair
Ms. Angela Bull
Ms. Alexandrina Sergio
Mr. Patrick Treacy
Mr. Reginald Babcock, Alternate
Excused
(Alternate Member Vacancy)
2. Continuation of consideration of Request for an Advisory Opinion concerning retention of raffle prizes awarded to Town employee attending professional conventions, expositions and similar events. See accompanying draft of Advisory Opinion.
Chairman Spier recapped the previous discussions on the matter and presented another draft opinion for discussion. He also noted that the town manager had sent an e-mail in response to the draft which was distributed. He reviewed the draft opinion in great detail noting that it would be a violation of 2-62a for an employee to accept a gift/prize from someone who has an interest in a business transaction or pending matter with the town within the authority of the employee. He said that there is no ability for the town manager to make an exception under 2-62a. Regarding 2-63, he said that by virtue of their position, they are present at the event and would not be able to retain a gift/prize without authorization. He added that this could be avoided by a duly adopted town policy. He stated
that under 2-64, there are only issues for an employee to accept a gift/prize from someone who has an interest in a business transaction or pending matter with the town within the authority of the employee.
Commissioner Sergio noted a typo and indicated she was hoping there could be some kind of simplification. Vice Chair Thomas was concerned about the language regarding the law of agency saying that she didn’t want to set the standard that people have to be lawyers to make sense out of the code and opinions. Commissioner Spier said that he could remove that reference. Commissioner Babcock said he was craving simplification, too, perhaps a head note. Commissioner Sergio said that within the training, they should remind employees to do their own thinking and not get themselves into situations that there could be a violation. A consensus was reached by the Commission supporting the general conclusions. Chairman Spier agreed to do the final edits for presentation at the next meeting.
3. Continuation of consideration of changes in the Town’s Code of Ethics. See accompanying memo concerning definition of “Immediate Family”.
Commissioner Sergio noted that what she received by mail was different from what she had received via e-mail. A recess was taken from 7:45 PM to 7:49 PM to review the document regarding “Immediate Family” from Chairman Spier dated November 21, 2006. Chairman Spier stated that they determined that the copy sent to the Town Clerk for the public record was correct but the copy received in the mail from staff was missing the definition section. He reviewed the document noting that the draft maintains the integrity of the existing code to the extent possible. There were a few suggestions of areas needing simplification or clarification noted by Chairman Spier. A consensus was reached by the Commission supporting the general conclusions. Chairman Spier agreed to do the final edits
for presentation at the next meeting.
4. Reading and Approval of Minutes of Regular Meeting of October 23, 2006 and Special Meeting of November 6, 2006.
Motion By: Commissioner Sergio Seconded: Commissioner Bull
Resolved that the Ethics Commission approves the minutes as submitted for the regular meeting of October 23, 2006.
Result: Motion passes unanimously. (5-0-0)
Motion By: Commissioner Bull Seconded: Commissioner Sergio
Resolved that the Ethics Commission approves the minutes as submitted for the special meeting of November 6, 2006.
Result: Motion passes unanimously. (5-0-0)
5. Report of Chair None
6. Committee Reports
With regards to training, Commissioner Sergio suggested that any people who miss training wait to the following year to attend the sessions for the other boards. Commissioner Babcock suggested they could watch the video or listen to one of the taped sessions adding the Commission should adopt this formally and get notice out for those that missed the fall sessions. Commissioner Bull felt they should keep track formally and police the requirement. Commissioner Babcock said he would rather not police but make options available and volunteered to check for a video and/or tape. Vice Chair Thomas questioned if they could put the tape on the website.
7. Communications None
The meeting recessed from 8:25 PM to 8:29 PM to allow the public to clear the room.
8. Confidential Session Pursuant to the Town Code of Ethics and Sections 7-148h and 1-82a of the Connecticut General Statutes for the Consideration of an Inquiry.
Motion By: Vice Chair Thomas Seconded: Commissioner Treacy
Resolved that the Ethics Commission go into a closed and confidential session at 8:30 PM pursuant to the Town Code of Ethics and Sections 7-148h and 1-82a of the Connecticut General Statutes for the consideration of an Inquiry.
Result: Motion passes unanimously. (5-0-0)
The closed and confidential session ended at 8:37 PM.
9. Adjournment
Motion By: Commissioner Treacy Seconded: Vice Chair Thomas
MOVED, that the Ethics Commission adjourns their regular meeting of November 27, 2006, at 8:38 PM.
Result: Motion passes unanimously. (5-0-0)
Respectfully Submitted,
Kimberly Meanix Miller
Kimberly Meanix Miller
Recording Clerk
Attachments: Advisory Opinion Draft of November 21, 2006 (Agenda Item 2)
Immediate Family Update of November 21, 2006 (Agenda Item 3)
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