Danvers trustees press town counsel on indemnification, approve edited code-of-conduct addendum

Trustees of the Town of Danvers Board of Library Trustees pressed for clarity on whether individual trustees are indemnified by the town and scheduled town counsel to attend a future meeting to explain the legal position.

Director Noelle said she had met with the town manager and town counsel and confirmed that a town counsel representative — Kate Connolly — will attend the next trustees meeting to address indemnification questions. Trustees said the topic has been outstanding for months and sought a clear yes-or-no clarification about whether trustees are indemnified for actions taken in their official capacity.

The board also debated and voted on a drafted code-of-conduct addendum. Discussion focused on item 15, which originally instructed trustees that if meeting attendance became difficult they should consider offering their resignation "to the appointing authority." Several trustees noted the board is an elected body and suggested the language be simplified. A motion to approve the addendum while removing the words "to the appointing authority" carried on a roll-call vote.

Trustees raised concerns about a clause that says personal statements about town business might be interpreted as board positions and discussed practical ways to avoid confusion (for example, clarifying when speaking as a private citizen). The board agreed the bylaws already outline the vacancy process and that the addendum should avoid redundant or inaccurate references to appointing procedures.

The edited code-of-conduct addendum passed; town counsel is expected to attend a future meeting to discuss indemnification and answer trustees’ legal questions.