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City attorney briefs DRB on new Vermont municipal code of ethics; recusal rules and seeking counsel explained
Summary
City Attorney Colin McNeil and Planning Director Paul Connor summarized the new Vermont municipal code of ethics for the DRB, explained recusal standards and good‑cause exceptions, and told members to contact local counsel while the Vermont State Ethics Commission has suspended municipal advisory services.
South Burlington, Vt. — City Attorney Colin McNeil and Planning Director Paul Connor briefed the Development Review Board on Vermont’s municipal code of ethics during the May 6 meeting, reviewing when board members must recuse themselves, how to document a recusal and where to seek confidential guidance.
McNeil told the board that the statute and implementing code define a conflict of interest as an officer’s interest in the outcome of a matter that conflicts with the proper discharge of the officer’s duties and said the standard for appearance of conflict is judged by a reasonable‑person test with knowledge of relevant facts. “If you have a conflict of interest, which is, as I explained it, your own interest, you need to recuse yourself,” McNeil said.
Paul Connor emphasized the statute’s practical context for small communities: many board members…
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