Ethics Commission
Minutes of Special Meeting
Held at The Town Hall
Tuesday October 21st 2008
A The meeting was called to order by Bob Witcomb at 7:30 PM
Present were Bob Witcomb Michael Magnus Brian Hautaniemi and Michael O’Brien
B two members of the public were present and no members of the press
Dr Cook had no particular comment but wished to be an observer
Mr. Bill Folland had a number of points regarding the actual complaints form as follows:-
1 The form indicates that it may be used by an individual or a group but section h of the code allows only individuals to submit complaints
2 The form should include a mailing address other than town clerk namely Chair of Ethics Commission C/O Old Lyme Town Clerk 52 Lyme Street Old Lyme CT 06371
3 The form should include former public employees, public officials and paid consultants re section E and F of the code
4 If the Town Clerk only forwards the complaint to the Chair of the Ethics Commission how/when does the Town Clerk sign the complaint form indicating receipt of the form
5 what provisions are taken to keep the complaint form confidential when no finding of violation is found by the Commission
6 Will the Commission notify the originator of the
complaint that the complaint has been received
7 Will advisory opinions be open to public review once the ombudsman has acted/ruled on an opinion
8 Complaint forms should request E-mail address of complaintant
At a later time Mr. Folland also raised the point that, in his opinion based on the rules, the Ombudsman had to be one of the alternate commissioners
C The Commission took note of Mr. Follands points and decided to address them at a later meeting although on the point of the ombudsman having to be one of the alternate commissioners all were agreed that this was not so but that as the wording in the rules was somewhat confusing we would check back with the formation committee and the minutes of their meetings to clarify this point and would hold of sending appointment letters to the ombudsman and alternates until this was clarified
D Our first choice at the last meeting had been Barry Harrison and when approached by the chair he had immediately agreed.
Magnus seconded by O’Brien and unanimously approved proposed his appointment to run through January 2011
E The first choices of the commission all having agreed to serve after being approached by the chair
Gloria Peduzzi
Robert Staab
James Quinn
Were unanimously appointed proposed by Hautaniemi seconded by O’Brien. The appointment to run through January 2011
Magnus will mail G Suitable letters of appointment together with copies of the Ethics Code as soon as possible after the clarification referred to in C is obtained.
H Magnus would approach Ruth Roach to clean up the web site and ensure that the finally adopted code is the one actually on the web
I FOI nothing had been heard from Tim Griswold in answer to our letter
J The certificate that had been requested that all employees etc had received and acknowledged receipt of the Code would be forthcoming but the Town Clerk had advised that she just could not get round to it until after the election
K Motion to adjourn made my Magnus seconded by Hautaniemi all agreed and meeting closed at 8:35PM
Submitted in draft: Michael F Magnus
October24th 2008
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