Select Board appoints ethics liaison amid concerns over tax collector pay structure

The Stamford Select Board voted to appoint an ethics liaison after a sustained public discussion about whether the delinquent tax collector's percentage-based compensation creates a perception of conflict.

A resident and several board members raised the issue, arguing that a pay structure tied to delinquent collections can look like a conflict even when there was no wrongdoing. "If there is a perception of unethical behavior, then we need to look at that and fix it," said a Committee member during the discussion. Administrative staff explained the state complaint process and recommended documenting steps and training completed by board members and appointees. The Administrative officer noted the formal flow: complaints are filed with the state ethics commission, which may then refer a matter back to the selectboard for a local investigation.

Board members discussed several remedies, including converting the tax collector's compensation from a percentage to a salary or hourly rate, establishing clearer job responsibilities, or forming a small ad hoc committee to review allegations and perception issues. One member urged that changing pay could separate personal incentives from municipal duties: "If we change the way we pay the collector, it could remove the perception," the Committee member said. The board acknowledged the practical trade-offs (training, recruitment and the historic change to percentage pay in 2005) but agreed on the need to act to reduce public concerns.

As an immediate procedural step, the board recorded a vote appointing Doug as the ethics liaison and discussed creating a 3–4 person ethics committee that could include non-board members. Staff were asked to track completion certificates for the state's 45-minute ethics training and to keep records on file. The liaison will serve as the point person for incoming ethics complaints and will coordinate with the Administrative officer on next steps.