Northfield Select Board adopts code of ethics investigation and enforcement ordinance

The Northfield Select Board on Oct. 28 adopted a Code of Ethics investigation and enforcement ordinance after a public hearing at which no members of the public spoke.

Town manager Jeff explained that recent Vermont legislation requires municipalities to adopt a process for members of the public or employees to file ethics complaints and for municipalities to investigate them. The town produced a draft ordinance to provide a formal, enforceable complaint pathway and an appeals process; the board chose an ordinance rather than an internal policy because, as Jeff put it, an ordinance "adds more teeth" and allows "for better appeal process."

During the hearing Select Board member Lydia asked for a small but substantive wording change in two places: in section 4(d) and in the first sentence of section 5, so that when a complaint is against the designated complaint recipient the matter would be directed to the chair of the Select Board rather than to the town manager. Lydia said this was intended to ensure "mutual ethics complaints against the designated complaint recipient" do not place the town manager in the role of investigating herself or himself. The board confirmed the draft otherwise envisions the town manager as the designated complaint recipient and investigator for ordinary complaints.

A motion to approve the ordinance "as amended" was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. Jeff told the board that an appeal period for the ordinance is 45 days.

The ordinance codifies how complaints will be received, who will conduct prompt, thorough and impartial investigations, and how enforcement and appeal steps proceed; the town manager and staff said a form and the ordinance text are posted on the municipal website under "ethics."