Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ethics And Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Select Board clears appointee to vote after ethics review; letter to be filed
Summary
The board reviewed a disclosure for James Patrick Carcel, who lives within 300 feet of a Berkshire County Concrete property; following advice from ethics staff the board determined no disqualifying financial interest existed and voted to allow him to serve as a voting member of the Board of Health, authorizing a written determination to accompany the paperwork.
The Select Board considered a conflict-of-interest disclosure for James Patrick Carcel related to his proximity to a Berkshire County Concrete property and whether that proximity disqualified him as a voting representative on the Board of Health.
Carcel said he has no financial interest in the company and emphasized his concern was the town’s health, stating, “I don't care about financial gain. I care about health of the town of Dalton.” Board members reviewed guidance the town manager had received from the State ethics staff and noted Carcel filed corrected disclosure paperwork that the board could assess.
Members discussed the legal standard in subsection 19 concerning financial interest and the board’s authority to make a written determination that any financial interest was not so substantial as to impair the integrity of municipal services. The board resolved to prepare and sign a concise written determination that the appointment did not present a disqualifying financial interest and to attach that letter to Carcel’s file. The motion to appoint/determine Carcel may serve as a voting member passed after discussion.
Board members also noted the distinction between concerns about health impacts and the narrower legal test for a financial conflict. The manager asked that the written determination be drafted and signed and asked Eric to prepare the letter for the file.
