TOWN OF MANSFIELD

Ethics Board

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Audrey Beck Municipal Building, Conference Room B

4:30pm

Minutes

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

Staff Present: Maria Capriola, Assistant to Town Manager

I.    APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM 12/4/08

The minutes of December 4, 2008 were adopted unanimously by members present for the vote (Sikoski, Stevens, Ferrero).

II.    PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

III.   CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT

By consensus, the Board moved the Chairperson’s report to Agenda Item #3, and the discussion of revisions to the Code to Agenda item #4.  Mr. Sikoski expressed an interest in seeing recommended revisions to the Code for 25-4a to include broader disclosure of public affiliations when a resident is speaking during public comment before a Board.  The Board voted unanimously to include recommended language to that effect under 25-4 of the Code.  Regarding 25-4a, the Board voted (Stevens, Plank, Ferrero, Stevens in favor, Sikoski against) to add the word “written” in front of “town policies.”

IV.  DISCUSSION OF REVISIONS TO CODE

By consensus, the Board accepted the draft language for 25-7A (as presented) for its recommended revisions to the Code.

The Board discussed a new 25-7B regarding inquiries.  The Board reviewed Glastonbury’s inquiry process as a sample.  By consensus, the Board decided to define inquiries in 25-7B of the code, and outline the process for inquiries in the Board’s (rules of) procedures.  The Board reached consensus on verbiage for 25-7B.

Mr. Sikoski made a motion, seconded by Mr. Ferrero to accept the draft language for 25-7E (as presented) for its recommended revisions to the Code. The motion was unanimously approved.

Ms. Stevens made a motion, seconded by Mr. Sikoski to accept the draft language for 25-4C7 and 25-6 (as presented) for its recommended revisions to the Code. The motion was unanimously approved.

V.  FUTURE AGENDAS AND MEETING SCHEDULE

The next meeting will be held January 8, 2009 at 4:30pm.  The Board has requested that the Rules of Procedure for the Board/Complaint Process be added to the agenda. 

VI.  ADJOURNMENT

      The meeting adjourned at 6:15pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Maria E. Capriola, Assistant to Town Manager