Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ethics topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident urges town action after alleged conflict of interest; board discusses new state ethics rules
Summary
A resident told the Stamford Select Board they filed a complaint about an official who participated in abatement hearings and later voted on related assessments. Board members reviewed newly effective state/municipal ethics guidance and discussed how complaints would be handled going forward.
A resident raised a conflict-of-interest concern during the public comment period, saying the same official participated in an abatement hearing, joined a site visit and later voted on the assessment. The resident told the board they had filed a complaint and asked what the town would do to prevent similar situations. "I don't see anything on the actual agenda regarding the conflict of interest," the resident said during remarks to the board.
The Chair responded that the state and municipal ethics guidance recently became active and that the board will review the materials and work toward a town ethics policy. The Chair also noted limits on local authority: "According to state law, there is no... person same person who can hold both those jobs," and explained that because some positions are elected the town cannot bar an elected official from holding them. Board members discussed filing routes (ethics board, secretary of state) and agreed to review the new checklist and post required materials to town locations and the website. No formal motion or vote was recorded on the matter.
