Bangor council votes to send inquiry on private council communications to ethics board after heated debate

The Bangor City Council voted 7–2 on Sept. 8 to refer to the Board of Ethics a question about whether private communications between councilors following the council’s May 7 budget workshop violated the city code of ethics.

Councilor Joseph Andrew Leonard introduced the order under code section 33‑21 and said he expected some councilors would have a conflict because the communications concern multiple members. Leonard said the provision allows any councilor to request an advisory opinion and that the council must adopt an order by majority vote (or a tie) to refer the matter.

City Solicitor (name not provided) told the council that, in his view, every councilor is allowed to vote on whether to refer the matter and that a majority or a tie triggers review by the ethics board. He said he had consulted the Maine Municipal Association legal department, which agreed the council should not be able to circumvent the code’s gatekeeping provision.

Council debate included cautions about overusing the ethics board from Councilors Haas and Campbell, both of whom urged restraint and warned against sending routine private conversations to the ethics board. Councilor Fish and several speakers urged transparency, saying review would relieve suspicion among taxpayers. Public commenters Larry Simmons and Scott Pardee urged the council to seek the advisory opinion; Simmons argued that public trust could be undermined by perceived circumvention of procedures.

After public comment and council discussion, the council approved the referral 7–2. The roll call recorded yes votes from Councilors Beck, Dean, Fish, Hawes, Leonard, Mallard and Chair Kara Pelletier; Councilors Fournier and Trimble voted no.

The referral requests only an advisory opinion; it does not impose penalties. If the Board of Ethics issues an opinion, the council may choose to act or not on the board’s recommendations.