Select Board adopts statement on ethics investigation, says matter closed and will appoint temporary trustees

The Brandon Select Board on May 26 adopted a formal statement addressing an earlier investigative report concerning ethics complaints about members of the trustees of public funds.

Cecil Rener Smith moved that the board adopt a written statement summarizing the investigative findings, the board’s analysis under town conflict-of-interest policy and the conclusion that the board stands behind the investigation and considers the case closed. The motion also confirmed the report is publicly available on the town’s website and advised readers to consult the report rather than rely on media summaries.

The board emphasized that trustees of public funds are elected officials and that the select board’s remaining role is to make short-term appointments to fill vacancies until those seats appear on the ballot in the next March election; appointees’ terms will fill the remainder of staggered three-year terms as required by statute. A public commenter who filed the original complaint, Brent Buer, said on the record that he "never alluded to or alleged there was financial impropriety" by the named trustees.

The statement was adopted by voice vote; the transcript records the motion and adoption but does not provide a roll-call tally. The select board said it will continue to refine its local ethics complaint procedures in light of state-level changes to municipal ethics support.