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Berlin Ethics Commission holds orientation, elects chair and moves to closed session over possible complaint
Summary
At a brief March 3 orientation, the Berlin Ethics Commission elected a chair, reviewed its quasi-judicial role and procedures for handling complaints, and voted to enter a closed session to determine whether a complaint has been filed and whether the panel has jurisdiction.
The Berlin Ethics Commission convened at 3 p.m. on March 3 for a short orientation, elected a chair and voted to adjourn into a closed session to consider whether a complaint had been filed and whether the commission has jurisdiction.
The town attorney, speaking at the opening of the meeting, said the commission’s primary responsibility is to review financial disclosures filed by council members and to follow established complaint procedures if allegations arise. She told members they had been given a copy of a memorandum she drafted in 2009, which had been approved at the time by the state ethics counsel and lays out the steps the commission should follow to process complaints, hold hearings and reach decisions.
The town attorney emphasized the commission is ‘‘quasi-judicial’’ and that when a complaint is filed ‘‘the three of you are acting as judges.’’ She cautioned members not to discuss cases with outside parties and to avoid conducting independent investigations, saying, ‘‘we're not the Ethics Police.’’
Members were instructed that anyone seeking to file a complaint should be directed to Mary Bowen, the town administrator, who will provide and collect the complaint form and forward completed filings to the commission for an initial jurisdictional review and, if warranted, scheduling of a hearing.
During the meeting the panel nominated and elected a chair by voice vote. One member said, ‘‘I nominate her,’’ and the commission voted unanimously to confirm the nomination.
A committee member then moved to adjourn the open session and go into closed session ‘‘under 3-305 B7’’ to determine whether a complaint exists and whether the commission has jurisdiction. Another member seconded the motion, and it carried on a voice vote.
The commission noted it meets at least once a year to review financial disclosure information; members were told the body has not handled a complaint in nearly 10 years. The meeting moved into closed session for the jurisdictional determination, and no further public business was recorded in the open session minutes.
Mary Bowen, town administrator, will receive any complaint forms and pass them to the commission for the next steps.
