Town of
Minutes of the Board of Ethics Meeting,
October 15, 2009
Conference Room C
Attending: Mike Sikoski,
Chair, Nora Stevens, Vice Chair, Win Smith, David Ferrero,
Mr. Sikoski, chair, called
the meeting to order at 4:45 p.m.
He asked
Approval of Minutes
7/16/09--Approved without changes, passed unanimously
Approval of Minutes 9/17/09
Nora Stevens read email
correspondence questioning the draft minutes.
The minutes were corrected to delete "Ethics Complaint" from
the draft minutes. The minutes were approved by Stevens, Cox, Smith, Ferrero
and Nesselroth who were present at the meeting on 9/17/09.
Public Comment
Rick Hossack
Betty Wassamundt
Chairman's Report
Mr. Sikoski pointed out that
there was to be a draft memo for review addressed to the Committee on
Committees regarding vetting procedures for members of the Ethics Board.
Ms. Cox move, Ms. Stevens
seconded
"Maria Capriola be
requested to prepare a draft memo for the Committee on Committees regarding
vetting procedures for the Ethics Board", passed unanimously
Before taking up the next
item of business, it was determined that there were insufficient copies of the
current draft of the Ethics code. Ms. Cox moved the Board recess in order to
make copies of the draft for review. Ms. Stevens seconded. Mr. Sikoski
questioned the need for recess. Motion and second were withdrawn. Mr. Sikoski read
an article about the novel solution reached by the Town Council of Loma Linda,
CA regarding a potential conflict of interest.
Before discussion commenced
on the draft code, Ms. Stevens moved to add "discussion of the status of
the secretary" to the board's agenda. Ms. Cox seconded. There was no
discussion and it passed unanimously.
Discussion commenced. Ms.
Stevens pointed to an email she had sent Mr. Sikoski in response to his emails
soliciting opinions about staff to the Ethics Board. Mr. Sikoski reiterated his
opposition to having a staff member assigned to the board. Ms. Stevens provided
a history of the service the Board had received from town staff in previous
decade. Mr. Sikoski offered his opinion that staff interfered with the workings
of the board.
Ms. Cox introduced a motion
of "No Confidence" in the Chairman, citing undisclosed conflict of
interest, failure to follow directions of the Board and the Board's Rules of
Procedure, and personal conflict with the staff assigned to the Board. Ms. Stevens,
seconded. Discussion followed. Ms. Stevens called the question. Discussion was
ended unanimously. The motion passed with Stevens, Cox and Smith voting aye and
Sikoski and Ferrero abstaining.
Ms. Cox moved that Ms.
Stevens, Vice Chair, become chair. Ms. Stevens declined.
Ms. Stevens moved that Ms.
Cox become chair, Mr. Smith seconded. During discussion, Ms. Cox asked Mr.
Smith if he would serve as chair, he declined. Mr. Smith called the question.
Discussion was ended with Stevens, Smith, Cox and Ferrero voting aye, Sikoski
abstaining. Motion to elect Ms. Cox as chair passed with Stevens, Ferrero,
Smith voting aye, Sikoski and Cox abstaining.
Motion to Adjourn by Mr.
Sikoski, Mr. Smith seconding.
Discussion of date for next
meeting--set for October 29, 2009 at 4:30 at Town Hall
Proposed Agenda includes:
Public Comment
Report of the Chair
Review of the Draft Code
Review of the Memo to
Committee on Committees
Meeting adjourned at approximately 6:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by