During a recent government meeting, the town attorney led a workshop on ethics training for elected and appointed officials, emphasizing the importance of understanding both legal and moral ethical requirements. The attorney, who is recovering from surgery, presented a comprehensive 34-slide presentation, encouraging real-time questions to foster engagement and address specific concerns of the officials present.

The discussion highlighted the distinction between what is legally permissible and what is ethically right, urging officials to consider community standards when making decisions. The attorney noted that the town's previous ethics ordinance had been repealed in January 2020, leaving a gap in formal ethical guidelines. This raised concerns about the lack of a replacement ordinance and the implications for governance.

Key topics included conflict of interest, the Open Meetings Act, and the importance of seeking legal advice to mitigate potential ethical violations. The attorney advised officials to avoid actions that could lead to negative public perception, suggesting that if they wouldn't want their decisions reported in the local news, they should reconsider those actions.

The workshop aimed to equip officials with the necessary tools to navigate ethical dilemmas effectively, reinforcing the idea that proactive communication with the city attorney can serve as a safeguard against legal repercussions.