DRAFT

TOWN OF MANSFIELD

Ethics Board

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Audrey Beck Municipal Building, Conference Room B

7:00pm

Minutes

Members Present: Nora Stevens, Mike Sikoski, David Ferrero, Eleanor Plank

Staff Present: Matthew Hart, Town Manager, Maria Capriola, Assistant to Town Manager

I.    SELECTION OF CHAIR

By consensus, the Board moved selection of chair to agenda item #1.  A motion to appoint Mike Sikoski as chair was approved; Mr. Sikoski abstained from the vote.

II.    SELECTION OF RECORDER

Ms. Capriola agreed to serve as secretary for this meeting of the Board.  The Board will select a secretary from within the membership when a town staff person is not available to take meeting minutes.

III.   REVIEW OF ETHICS ORDINANCE

By consensus, the Board moved the review of the ethics complaint procedure to agenda item #4.

Board members discussed some differences between the Town’s code and other codes such as the model municipal code and the Town of Wilton, CT’s code.  Ms. Stevens stated that she feels that Board members should be able to bring a complaint to the Board.  The Board also discussed who the code applies to.  The Board and staff members present discussed Sections 2 and 3 of the code, which define who the code is applicable to (appointed staff, elected officials, and appointed officials [i.e. volunteer advisory board and committee members]).

Ms. Stevens recommended that each of the Board members present review a few sections of the current ordinance and prepare suggested revisions.  Mr. Sikoski will review sections 7, 10; Mr. Ferrero will review sections 1-3 and 8; Ms. Stevens will review section 4; and Ms. Plank will review section 6.  The Board agreed that a review of sections 5, 9, and 11 is not necessary. Staff also agreed to conduct a review of the ordinance and to prepare recommendations.

Ms. Stevens also recommended that the Board should meet at least a few times a year, even if no complaints are brought to the Board.  The Board agreed with Ms. Stevens’ recommendation. 

IV.  REVIEW OF ETHICS COMPLAINT PROCEDURE

The Board decided to postpone discussion of the procedure to a future meeting after they have finalized recommendations for the ethics ordinance.

V.  ADOPTION OF OCTOBER 2, 2008 MINUTES

By consensus the Board added adoption of the October 2, 2008 minutes to the agenda.  The Board unanimously approved the minutes as presented.

VI.  ADJOURNMENT

      The meeting adjourned at 8:05pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Maria E. Capriola

Assistant to Town Manager