Committee recommends updates to Bridgewater ethics code and training process

The Rules & Procedures Committee voted to recommend proposed ordinance FY2604, an amendment to chapter 3, article 2 of the administrative code, to update ethics-training procedures and the list of required reporters and department heads.

Chair Sean explained the ordinance updates were intended to reflect reorganizations and to codify how required reporters submit financial-interest statements. Committee members asked whether new hires could be required to complete ethics training during onboarding; speakers responded that the administrative code requires required reporters to submit a statement of financial interest within seven days of becoming a required reporter and that the town clerk coordinates onboarding and tracking through the Skills Burst training portal.

Councilor Spagon thanked the chair for drafting the revision and said the clearer language will help ensure consistent training expectations. After discussion about notice and tracking, Councilor Spagon moved to recommend the ordinance, Councilor Trocchio seconded, and the committee voted to recommend the amendment to the full council.

Next steps: the recommendation will be forwarded to the council; the committee asked the town clerk to provide vote counts and tracking information to the chair.