Council reviews proposed updates to rules of procedure, code of ethics, and virtual meeting policy

Meredith Muth, the town's Director of Administrative Services, presented proposed updates to three documents: rules of procedure, the code of ethics/ordinance, and the virtual participation policy. The materials are intended to align town practice with the Home Rule Charter and current meeting technology.

Muth said key proposed changes include permitting public comment at special meetings (charter requirement), removing the requirement that public speakers provide a full street address (a privacy concern), creating a process to limit pooled public-comment time to six minutes per individual, clarifying that the code of ethics would be adopted as an ordinance while the code of conduct would remain a separate noncodified document, and allowing limited virtual attendance for members who are sick or traveling.

Councilors probed complaint and enforcement procedures. The town attorney confirmed that ethics or conduct complaints would be routed through the town clerk and could include an administrative hearing conducted by a municipal or contract judge at the judge's discretion. "It would be up to the judge's discretion to determine if testimony were to be needed," the town attorney said, describing how hearings could be conducted under oath. Councilors also asked about protections for staff and whether the documents should explicitly identify which boards and commissions the rules apply to; staff agreed to circulate a Word version for redlines and a deadline for comments.

The item was discussed for feedback and is expected to return for future consideration; council did not vote on the proposed documents at this meeting.