Debbie Kerlicki interviews to join town ethics commission; cites school‑district ethics experience

Debbie Kerlicki, a candidate for the town ethics commission, told commissioners at the special meeting that she already serves on a school district ethics panel and would bring that advisory experience to the town. Kerlicki said, "I am and still am currently on the ethics panel for the Talbot County School District," and described that panel as advisory — reviewing forms, financial disclosures and gift reports rather than imposing punitive sanctions.

Commissioners described the committee’s expected work: review a draft ethics ordinance adapted from a small‑community model, recommend changes to the commissioners and help craft financial‑disclosure forms. Kerlicki recounted a recurring case involving a landscaping business and an employee’s family members, saying the panel "still are saying that we think this is a violation," though she noted attorneys ultimately found it was not. The chair (S3) emphasized that a confidentiality provision was included in the draft — "a confidentiality statement that all things remain confidential until there's a determination or a public finding, etcetera" — and that the ethics commission would issue advisory opinions and draft forms that would later be routed to the commission and town staff for approval.

Commissioners and Kerlicki discussed time commitments and potential overlap with other volunteer positions (election duties). Kerlicki said she was willing to serve and to do the necessary review work outside public sessions, and commissioners told her the ethics panel will meet to begin examining the ordinance and to prepare recommended changes and forms. The chair noted the current forms "have not been developed" and that the panel will need multiple work sessions to finish the drafting process.