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Draft ethics ruling circulated; board confronts alleged false affidavit and outstanding FOIL request
Summary
Staff circulated a draft decision finding the ethics board chair failed to file 2024 and 2025 annual reports; the board discussed placing the decision on the August 12 meeting. A heated exchange followed about a signed affidavit and alleged improper use of an account, and members cited past litigation and potential penalties.
The town's staff attorney circulated a draft decision July 28 in the matter labeled Samus v Hayes that states the chair of the board of ethics did not timely file annual reports for reporting years 2024 and 2025. The drafter said she had added 2024 to the draft and, barring edits, would print it for signature and place the decision on the August 12 meeting for official action.
The discussion then moved to an outstanding FOIL request and to a separate, heated exchange among board members about an affidavit and the alleged use of a Feiner98 account for town business. One board member accused another of filing a false affidavit; another member cited prior litigation in which the town paid $37,000 after a failure to complete an appeals process. Tensions rose, and the chair warned that continued personal accusations could prompt a recess.
No final disposition on the FOIL request was recorded; the board asked staff to continue preparing the draft ethics decision and submit it for signature and inclusion on the August 12 agenda. The board later moved and voted to go into executive session to discuss personnel and litigation matters.
