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Ethics board outlines disclosure, recusal rules and complaint process to ZBA
Summary
Susan Barenzweig of the village ethics board briefed ZBA members on annual disclosure requirements, conflicts of interest, gift limits, recusal procedures, advisory opinions and complaint adjudication, noting the board’s authority to recommend fines (up to $1,500) but that fines have rarely been imposed.
Susan Barenzweig, a member of the Village of Mamaroneck ethics board, briefed the zoning board on the ethics code at the March 6 meeting and urged members to complete the annual disclosure form (due Feb. 15 each year). She explained key provisions: gifts $75 or greater from entities doing business with the village should not be accepted; conflicts must be disclosed and recusal performed on the record with a written statement; advisory opinions and waivers are available; and complaints may be investigated, subject to confidentiality protections for complainants where possible.
Barenzweig described the board’s procedural options when a complaint is sustained — advising the board of trustees, recommending discipline, referring criminal matters to the district attorney, and imposing local fines — and said fines are rarely used in practice. "If there is a finding of a violation, we have the authority to impose a maximum fine of $1,500 per violation," she said, while noting in recent years the ethics board has not commonly assessed fines.
Members asked whether the code covers nonfinancial relationships (for example, close friendships or grandparents). Barenzweig said the code and past advisory opinions often turn on whether an official’s participation would create the appearance of impropriety or a personal benefit and recommended members seek an advisory opinion when unsure. She advised the ZBA to use the ethics board as a resource and to seek guidance in advance of potential conflicts.
Speakers quoted (first reference): Susan Barenzweig (ethics board); Chair.
What happens next: ZBA members were reminded to complete disclosure filings and to consult the ethics board for advisory opinions when questions arise.
