TOWN OF MANSFIELD

Ethics Board

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Audrey Beck Municipal Building, Conference Room C

4:30pm

Minutes

Members Present: Mike Sikoski, David Ferrero, Eleanor Plank, Nancy Cox, Lena Barry

Staff Present: Maria Capriola, Assistant to Town Manager

I.    APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM 1/29/09

A motion was made by Ms. Cox and seconded by Ms. Plank to adopt the minutes of January 29, 2009 as presented.  The minutes were adopted unanimously.

II.    PUBLIC COMMENT

Matthew Hart, Town Manager, Deerfield Lane, resident.  Mr. Hart offered further suggestions to the Board’s work and outlined concerns regarding the definition of “interest in a personal and financial sense” as well as the inquiry process. Mr. Hart suggested better defining “interest in a personal and financial sense.”  In his opinion, the inquiry process as presented could prompt spurious complaints and be used as a means to harass officials and employees. Such frivolous inquiries could result in harm to the person being accused.

Jeffrey Smith, Finance Director, elector.  Mr. Smith offered concerns regarding the proposed inquiry process.  Mr. Smith spoke in favor of a formal complaint process to avoid frivolous charges based on hearsay and unfounded rumors.

Elizabeth Wassmundt, Turnpike Road, resident. Ms. Wassmundt spoke in favor of the inquiry process.

III.   CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT

Mr. Sikoski reported on the CCM ethics seminar he recently attended.  Mr. Sikoski asked for discussion on the following:

· 25-4a, use of town assets: The Board tabled discussion on this matter to a future meeting/agenda.

· 25-4c(7), first year after termination: By consensus (for grammatical purposes), the Board agreed for 25-4c(7) to be proposed as follows: “No official or employee shall, during the first within one year after termination of his or her last date of service or employment with the town, appear before any body of the town or apply to any department in relation to any case, proceeding or application in which he or she personally participated during the period of his or her service or employment, or which was under his or her active consideration official responsibility as a municipal employee.”

· 25-7b, inquiries: The Board tabled discussion on this matter to a future meeting/agenda.

IV.  FUTURE AGENDAS AND MEETING SCHEDULE

The next meeting will be held April 16^th at 4:30pm

V.ADJOURNMENT

Per the Chairperson’s request, the Board entered into an Executive Session at 6:05 pm. Upon Ms. Capriola inquiring as to whom would be in attendance, the Chair stated it would be Sikoski, Plank, Ferrero, Cox, and Barry. The Board did not take a formal vote or agree by consensus to add an executive session to their agenda, nor did the Board enter into a vote prior to the Executive Session.  Upon Ms. Capriola inquiring as to the purpose of the executive session, the Chairperson stated it was to discuss an “advisory opinion.” 

Respectfully Submitted,

Maria E. Capriola,

Assistant to Town Manager